INACTIVE RIVER BOARD.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 89, 28 March 1912, Page 4

INACTIVE RIVER BOARD.

TO THE BDITOB.

Sir, In your issue of Tuesday last you state: “There is nothing to report at present with regard to the River Board. The chairman states no work is being undertaken just now beyond the ordinary work of the overseer.” This certainly reveals a very unsatisfactory state of things. We have had an exceptional fine summer for river work, and practically nothing has been done. I am well aware that owing to an adverse vote certain large schemes were upset, but there is a very impcjOjk/". work that should have been attJHr cd to, viz., the clearing of the water courses from willows. In most of our rivers the banks are planted with willows. In some instances tne trees protrude over the streams from fifteen to twenty-five feet on both sides. It will be thus seen that striking an average, forty feet of the water way is blocked when there is a fresh in the river. The, consequence can be well imagined. Having had some experience in these matters I maintain that this important work should have been attended to apart from any of the large schemes considered by the board. We have still a couple of months bcfcre, the winter sets in, will some live member of the board move in th? matter ? I was one of those who anticipated great things from a central river board, but have been greatly disappointed. Sir, has all public spirit in this important, movement been hypnotised t If so, will you wield your able pen to waken our inactive river board. —I am, etc., MONTAGUE LASCELtES. Gordon road, March 28th. (