CLUTHA RIVER BOARD.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1040, 29 June 1894, Page 6

CLUTHA RIVER BOARD.

♦ A meeting of the Clutha River Board was held in the Borough Chambers on Tuesday. There were present — Messrs Dallas (chairman), Smith, Mitchell, Hay, Michael. Findlay, Williams, .Rutherford, and M'Corley. On the motion of Mr Smith, seconded by Mr Williams, the board went into committee to talk over several matters connected with the board. On resuming, A letter was read from Mr P. A. Joseph soliciting a share of the board's ad vert is-, ing and printing. — It was agreed that the board's advertisements be published in both locel papers. Captain Butler wrote suggesting that a poods shed be erected at the jetty at Balclutha for stores and plant, and also for storing goods arriving in the absence of the steamer. — It was agreed that a Bmali shed be erected, the works committee to attend to thejnatter. The clerk to the Inch" Clutha River and Road Board forwarded cheque for LOO, being first instalment of 'contribution towards cast of groin at upper end of Inch Clutha, and expressing the hope of that board that the work would be completed at the earliest convenience. — On the motion of Mr Hay, seconded by Mr Mitchell, it was agreed to complete tho groin by planting willows along it, the same to be secured in position by stone. Peter Blackwood wrote asking for some allowance for delay occasioned in connection with his work at the erection of the Rongahere goods shed. — Received. Accounts amounting to L 35 11s 7d were passed for payment. Mr Smith moved — " That the Government be asked to amend the River Boards' Act so-as to give the board an additional member to represent the Kaitangata Riding, County of Bruce ; and that the members for Clutha, Bruce, and Tuapeka be asked to use their influence in the matter." — Seconded by Mr Hay and carried. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Smith, that so soon as the river gets low, and when there is no traffic for the steamer, the captain and crew be employed to remove some snags that at present. obstruct the navigation. Mr Michael pointed out that as the river wasjnow getting low the Reason was '

favourable for undertaking work to' open up the river from Tuapeka Mouth toI wards Beaumont. Were it open to the I'itter point it would lead to a large traffic, a traffic sufficient to keep several steamers running. He was aware the funds at the command of the board were now very limited, but he thought a little might be done in the way of removing rocks this winter. The Government were now forming a road from Beaumont down to Blackcleugh, and settlers would be able to bring cargo fur the steamer if she went up that way. There waa a rock at Harris' beach, a little way above Blackcleugh, that obstructed the navigation at that point. If this rock were removed it would always be something done, and the steamer would be able to wet a little nearer to the Beaumont. . He moved — " That tenders be called for removing the rock referred to, the works committee to deal with the tenders." — Mr Williams seconded and strongly supported the motion, pointing out that if once the river was opened up as far as the Beaumont there would be traffic sufficient to keep several steamers going, and no doubt private enterprise would then be ready to step in and conduct the river traffic. — Afrer some discussion the motion was carried, the amount not to exceed LSO. This concluded the business, and the meeting closed.