CENTRAL RIVERS BOARD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 163, 27 June 1911, Page 5

CENTRAL RIVERS BOARD

A meeting of the Central Rivers Board was held in Napier this morning. Present: Hon. J. D. Ormond (chairman), Messrs. H. I. Simson, G. P. Donnelly, R. D. D. McLean, J. Jeffares, G. McDonald,, T. Talbot, G. Purvis, and G. Merritt. APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF ENGINEERS. The Chairman submitted the following statement: — After delays which have been unavoidable, I have arranged, as authorised at the last meeting of the board, that three engineers, viz., Mr. Baird Thompson (representing the Government), Mr. Laing Mcason, and Mr. C. Kennedy, shall constitute the board to report as to the present condition of the Hawke’s Bay Rivers District, and to recommend such works as they may devise for relief from the constantly recurring dangers and loss caused by floods in the district. The first meeting .of the B9arl of Engineers is fixed for Friday, 30th June. All maps, reports, levels, etc., bearing on the subject have as far as possible been collected to assist the board in its enquiry. In asking the board to proceed with the important work they have b-en appointed to undertake, the only instructions I recommend are: — That they should be requested <o consider the whole question, view the district, take such evidence as they deem necessary, and after careful consideration report their recommendations: — Such report should include a scheme for the better control of the rivers and f or using them where practicable for the reclamation or improvement o f at present waste lands, and so assisting to provide for the cost of carrying out the scheme. The scheme should as far as possible b" so devised as to permit of its be ng carried out as the means at the disposal of the Rivers Board allow. At the same time the report should contain recommendations as to the works necessary to be undertaken at once for the protection ..f districts most threatened. Al--o the report should deal with existing River Board protection works and recommend whether they should be maintained or otherwise dealt with. The report should be accompanied by appropriate estimates of +he scheme as a whole and by the works recommended as urgent. I think it advisable to suggest that any view or scheme be left to the skilled board we are asking to act for us. We have to thank the Government and especially the acting-Premier, Sir James Carroll for the assistance given the board by the appointment of Mr. Baird Thompson to act as one of the advising engineers.— Recommendations approved. The acting-Prime Minister notified that they had appointed Mr. B. Thomson as Government engineer to act in conjunction with the other engineers appointed by the board. Mr. C. D. Kenndy offered to report for a fee of lOOgns.

Mr. G. Laing Meason (Wellington) offered to perform a similar service for 157gns. The chairman stated that he had called a meeting of the Engineers’ Board for Friday next, when they would be able to go into all matters in connection with the question. Meanwhile, the engineers mentioned had- been appointed.— Chairman’s action confirmed. The Hawke’s Bay County Council notified that the work of repairing a breach in the river bank at Meanee had been authorised.—Received. Mr. T. Talbot wrofe offering to report when any horses were found grazing on the banks and protective works. The danger of this pointed out. —Mr. H. Simson i»..,ved that this matter be reported to the overseer and he bo given power to act.

Considerable discussion ensued as to whether the board had any. power to prevent stock from wandering on the protection works. It was decided to write to Messrs. Lockie and McPhee, asking for permission to allow members and employees of the board to go on the bank.

The County Council and the Taradale Town Board offered to collect rates for the board. The County Council charge would be 8 per cent. Mr. Simson thought that the board’s clerks should do the collecting. It was unanimously decided that the Hawke's Bay C'mntv Council and the Taradale Town Board be authorised for the first year to collect the rates of the River Board. The chairman to make any arrangements in connection with the matter that he wished The question of special rates occupied the attention of the Rivers Board on resuming this afternoon. A special rate has been struck by the Taradale River Board, and it was a question as to whether this board should collect it.

Mr. Donnelly moved that the matter be left ixt the hands of the chairman to enquire into the matter, and in the meantime no special rate will be struck.

This was seconded by Mr. McDonald, and carried. The same course was adopted with regard to the Clive Ward, and in those cases advice is to be obtained from the board’s solicitors. THE OVERSEER’S' REPORT. The overseer reported that the rivers in general were very satisfactory, no damage having been done, with the exception of the bank at Meanee. It was suggested that several minor repairs should be carried out in various parts of the river. Some repairs and improvements have been effected. Mr. Shrimptbn moved, and Mr. Merritt seconded,. that each member representing a ward should travel ' round . with the overseersand sanction any temporary repairs which were necessary.