DRAINAGE BOARD.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20836, 21 April 1933, Page 13

DRAINAGE BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. INTEREST RATE ON LOANS REDUCED. At the meeting of the Christchurch Drainage Board, held last night, it was decided to hold a special meeting, in committee, on May 16, to consider the estimates and to recommend the basis on which the rates for 1933-34 should be struck, and to submit for confirmation the decisions then arrived at to a special meeting of the board to be held on May 23. The meeting was attended by Messrs J. W. Beanland (chairman), W. J. Walter, S. C. Bingham, R. Carter, Charles Hill, J. S. Barnett. C. S. McCully, W. C. Large, H. J. Otley, W. R. Carey, and H. G. Livingstone. An apology for absence was received from Mr E. H. S. Hamilton. The finance committee reported that it had decided to reduce the rate of interest on loans for house connexions to 5 per cent., and that the rate of interest on temporary loans had been reduced to 2£ per cent, as from April 1, to comply with the regulations issued by the Government. It had been decided to extend the fidelity guarantee insurance cover to 24 months back from the date of receipt of notice of loss. The offer of the Christchurch Stock Exchange to assist and advise the board on questions arising out of the Local Authorities Interest Reduction and Loans Conversion Act been acknowledged with thanks. The report was adopted. Improvement of River Hcathoote. The Opawa-Hillsborough Burgesses' Association wrote expressing appreciation of the work done on the Heathcote river at Aynsley's terrace. The board was asked not to reduce the width of the river unnecessarily, and to give consideration to the erection of a weir on the south-west of Bell's creek, in order that the work now being carried out would not be nullified by mudflats at low tide or by pollution or discolouration at high tide. The secretary (Mr C. F. Champion) said that members were probably aware that the board could not spend money on the erection of a weir. The chairman said it was nice to have the association's expressions of appreciation, and he had heard similar expressions from others. The engineer would see that the river was not narrowed. As to the weir, he was afraid that the board could do nothing in the matter. It was decided to refer the matter to the member for the district concerned (Mr Hill), who was asked to explain the Dosition to the association. Other Matters. In accordance with notice previously given Mr Carter moved: "That when any matter is referred by the board to a committee, the member for the district affected shall be a member of that committee for the meeting at which the matter is dealt with." Mr Walter seconded the motion and said that this had been the practice in the past. Mr Livingstone remarked that on a question of finance affecting the whole of the board's district all members of the board would attend the meeting of the Finance Committee. Mr Otley said that the fullest opportunity was given to discuss the reports by committees, and if the motion were agreed to it would not be necessary to refer any matter to a committee, as it might as well be discussed at the meeting of the board. On a show of hands three voted for the motion, which was declared lost. Mr Large (chairman of the Worke Committee) said that when a matter came before the Works Committee affecting a member of the board, not a member of the committee, he would see that an invitation to attend the meeting of the committee at which the matter was to be discussed was issued to the member concerned. The chairman said that this could be done, but the member present by invitation could not vote.

Mr Otley said that this had bten the nractice for the last 30 years. The Board of Governors of the Christchurch Technical College wrote regarding the covering of the drain on its nroperty at Langdon's road, Papanui. in view of the site being prepared ultimately for the No. 2 Technical College. It was stated that the cost of material would be £ 320. and of material and labour £450. The letter was referred to the Works Committee.