INCH CLUTHA RIVER BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 218, 13 September 1878, Page 6

INCH CLUTHA RIVER BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

A meeting of the Board of Conservators for the Inch Olutlia River District was hold in the schoolhouse, Inch Clufcha, on the afternoon of Saturday, the 7th inst. There were present Messrs Mosley (chairman), Anderson, M'Donald, Smaill, and Bell. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman stated the meeting had been called for the purpose of classifying the lands within the district, and also to consider the best mode of borrowing money to carry out the works the Board has now commenced. It was moved, by Mr Anderson that the business for which the meeting was called stand over until the Bill affecting the Island now before the Assembly be passed. Seconded by Mr Bell, and carried. The Chairman laid on the table a draft of a new Bill called the Inch Clutha (Island) Bill and the Amalgamated River and Road Board of Inch Olutha. A conversation ensued with reference to the several clauses of the Bill. Tno Chairman explained that he had seen several bankers with reference to loans and the borrowing powers of the Board, and pointed out that there should be a clause inserted in the Island Bill giving the Board more borrowing power. It was resolved that the attention of Mr Thomson be drawn to the matter, and that he be requested to keep the Amalgamated Board under the Hawke's Bay and Marlborough Rivers Act, 1868, and the Otago Roads Ordinance, 1871. It was also agreed that the Board should try and get entirely separated from Olutha County, and have local Government in its entirety. It was moved by Mr Anderson, and seconded by Mr M'Donald — " That the Chairman wait on Mr Thomson with the view of having the new Bill amended to suit the requirements of the Board." — Carried. The Chan-man reported that Mr Joseph Smith, Inch Olutha, had written to him offering to put up embankments on his own property. Mr Smaill also stated that Mr Smith had also spoken to him about embankment and pegs which Mr Smith wished to remove nearer to the river-bank. After a discussion, the Clerk was instruoted to inform Mr Smith that he cannot alter the pegs, and to request him to tender for the embankment in the usual way. The Inspector of Works reported that Smith Brothers were not carrying out their contract according to specifications. After some discussion thereon, it was moved by Mr Anderson, and Seconded by Mr Smith— " That Messrs Bell and M'Donald be appointed to inspect the works and report." — Carried. Mr M'Donald brought under the notice of the Board the desirability of spending a few pounds on protection works at the river-bank on Mr Anderson's property, top of Island. He (Mr M'Donald) pointed oixt that since the line of river embankment was pegged off there had been nearly half a chain of land washed away, and that unless an effort were made to stop the same the embankment would require to be removed. He also mentioned that Mr Archibald Anderson intended cutting down a large number of poplar trees about fifty feet long, and suggested that the Board should spend L3O or L4O as an experiment in placing the trees over riverbank, secured with wire. After consideration, it was moved by Mr M'Donald, and seconded by Mr Smaill, and carried — " That the suggestion be agreed to." The Clerk reported having placed the sum of LBO 4s in the Colonial Bank, being amount of deposits on contracts. The Board then adjourned till Saturday, the 14th inst., at 2.30 p.m.