RIVER BOARD

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LIV, Issue 22, 21 March 1933, Page 5

RIVER BOARD

MEETING THIS AFTERNOON.

MR. E. J. COWAN RE-ELECTED

CHAIRMAN.

The first meeting of the North Ra~ kaia River Board since the election was held this afternoon at Southbridge. Present: Messrs E. J. Cowan, A. Anderson and F. W. Scott. Mr Cowan was unanimously reelected chairman. In thanking members for their renewed expression of confidence in him, Mr Cowan extended a cordial welcome to the new member, Mr Scott, who had been elected to the vacancy caused by Mr W. M. Gabbie's retirement.

Mr C. W. Hervey, secretary of the Selwyn Plantations Board, wrote stating that he had communicated with the River Board about a year ago regarding firebreaks on the plains adjacent to the area recently acquired for planting in trees. It was the intention of the Board to extend the firebreak to the Rakaia river and the co-operation of the River Board and its financial assistance were desired.

The secretary said that when the previous letter was received the matter was allowed to stand in abeyance.

Mr Anderson said that the recent fires on the plains had emphasised the value of firebreaks, which afforded a measure of protection for a large part of the Southbridge riding and part of Leeston riding. The Ellesmere County Council had decided to contribute £5 a year. Of course, if it choose to do so, the River Board could take shelter behind the Plantations Board's firebreaks without paying anything towards them, but personally he thought they should pay something. It cost about £6 a mile a year to maintain a firebreak.

As the danger for this year would soon be past, it was decided to allow the matter to stand over until next meeting, when there would probably be a full attendance of members. The Board, which has money in» vested in Government bonds, expresed its agreement with the Government's conversion scheme. It was mentioned that about three chains of the groyne by Fereday's Island ford had been damaged by recent floods. The secretary (Mr D. Taylor) said he had been assured that men would be available for an unemployed relief camp on the Rakaia Island again this year if it was thought desirable to establish a camp. The whare was still on the island. It was decided to make an inspection in the near future to ascertain whether there was was much more gorse grubbing to be done, before making a decision regarding a camp. The secretary reported that the accounts had been audited by the Government Auditor, and everything was found to be in order. It was stated that there was a substantial sum outstanding in rents, and the secretary was instructed to take steps to recover the amounts due.