ASHLEY RIVER TRUST.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18674, 24 April 1926, Page 3

ASHLEY RIVER TRUST.

ORDINARY MEETING. A mating 6! the Ashlly Rivet Trust wtis held in the Agricultural Hftll yesterday. There were prfeient—Messrs F. Lingbein (cftiirlhah), P. HorMll, J. D. Vfylli6, W. Stalker, E. Peach, J. Stakcß, H. G. Philpott, and T. Dawson. Mr F. W. Johnston, legal advisor to the Trust,, wae also present. The greitet part of tils mdtriihg was tikin UJJ itt dißcUßßihg loanfe hhd crtdit litUancea in cohnesioh with tlie Ashley Drninige Board, which had been absorbed by the River Trust. Tho treasurer stited that there was a credit amounting to £521 of the Ashley Drainage Board sinking fund, And ho would like to luldw if this amount could be used by the Truet. Mr Johnson stated that the cash could be used, provided a balance-sheet was prepared and the security for a loan of £3OOO WAa Secured. Accounts held over from the first meeang of the Ttilflt were passed for payment, including £125 fot- election expenses. It was decided to have a valuation made of all liabilities ,&nd assets, other thin special loans, taken over by the Trust, and to frrite to the Government to ascertain this balance owing oh the £3OOO loan. Mr W. Stalker referred to tho question of approaching the Government for a grant. He said that were a River Trust Without any fundß, and it wGuld be feomb time before }hey wotild be Able to get any mohey. They could strike ii rate, but it would be eom» time before tbey could get that money. He moved that an application be made to the Government for . a graht of £6OOO for necessary urgent work, especially irt the lower pftrt of the Ashley, And tnat the Hon. D. Bttddo, M.P., nnd Mr G. Forbes, M.P., be asked to aproach the Hon. Forbes, M.P., be asked to approach tho Rt. Boh. J. G. Coates ih support of the &pplicati6n. .. The motion W»s seconded by Mf Wyllie and carried. The Hon. D. Btiddo wrote stating that hs wa-j Unable to attend the meeting. He had interviewed Mr Coates in respect to a. subsidy. Mr Cdates seeMed favourable 16 this, and suggested that ah application for a subsidy be made As early as possible. It was decided to strike the rates oh the classification basis, and the chairman was empowered to approach Mr A. Freeman enquiring on what terms ho would undertake the, work of classification. It was agreed to make ah official inspection of* the river by members of the Trust on Saturday, May Ist. _ It was also decided to approach the Public Works Department with A view to obtaining a survey of the Ashley and report on same. In regard to a complaint regarding the state of Stoney creek and its outlet, Messrs Lahgbeit, Peach, and Wyllie were requested to inspect and report on the matter. There were 11 applications for the positici of secretary, and Mr L. AY, Harley was appointed, at a salary of £52 per annum. A ~ . Tendors for the lease of the Ashley isaste lands were opened, <ind the following were accepted J*—No. 1, D» Banks, £7 10s per annum; No. 2, P. J. Lindsay, £1 10s; No 4 W. Burrell, £2O; No. 5, J. Wylhe, £4; Nos. 6 And 11, H. J. Stone, £10; No. 7, A. J. Parkinson, £7; No. 8, H. Manning, £\i\ No. 0, E. Macdonald, £2O; N6. 10, G. 11. Orchard, £3; also H. Heleon for a Bmall area, £*2. The letting of 3 was deferred pending further enquiries. Mr F. Hotrell was elected deputy-chair-man.