CATCHMENT RATES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29524, 27 May 1961, Page 9

CATCHMENT RATES

Little Change This Year

The net rate of £96,460 to be levied by the North Canterbury Catchment Board this year would almost be the same as last year, the chairman of the board's finance committee <Dr. G. Jobberns) told the board when it met yesterday to consider the rating of the board's area. The net figures given by Dr. Jobberns, which were approved by the meeting, were: administration, £32,100. a decrease of £1200; Waimaka-riri-Eyre-Cust, £45.000, no change; Ashley County, £7900, no change; Setton - Ashley. £235, no change; Halswell river, £8075. an increase of about £1100; Lake Ellesmere, £ll4O, no change; Prices Valley, £llO. an increase of £45; Selwyn river, £l9OO, no change. In discussion on the rate for the Waimakariri river, Mr H. H. Petrie asked if it would be possible to allocate about £5OOO for clearing shingle from the river at the bridge. If the shingle built up any further there would be danger. The board's chief engineer (Mr H. M. Reid) said that in the last six months more than 20.000 yards of shingle had been removed from the island near the bridge. The removal of shingle was too big a job to be handled piecemeal and would be attended to in a year or so. The chairman (Mr R. M. D. Johnson) said that there was a reserve account for any flood damage caused by the Waimakariri. Mr Petrie: I am sure ratepayers would rather pay for maintenance than flood damage.