WAIMAKARIRI RIVER BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15715, 7 September 1911, Page 4

WAIMAKARIRI RIVER BOARD.

Tho South Waimakariri River Board met yesterday afternoon; present— Messrs N. IC. Bowden (in the chair), \V. P. Spencer, J. Leslie, H. E. Peryman, E. Smith, W. E. Samuels, _ C. Burgess, J. Glanville and H. Allison (secretary). At the previous meeting of the Board it had been decided to grant a sum of £25 towards the Coronation Homo for Incurables on condition that the grant was a legal one. The secretory reported that lie had inquired into the matter, and had found that the Board had no authority to mako such a grant, as the funds had to be devoted entirely to river work. Tho sum, therefore, could not be granted. The overseer’s report stated that thcro hud been no floods nor any change in the course of the river since tho previous meeting. A sum of £127 8s Id had been spent on repairs, improvements and general work. Tho report was adopted. Tho secretary, Mr H. Allison, tendered his resignation of tho office. He stated that ho had held tho position for a very largo number of years, and thought the time had arrived when ho should make way for someone else. It was decided to accept the resignation with regrot, and to place on tho minutes of tho Board an appreciation of Mr Allison’s long and valuable services. It was further decided that the resignation should tako effect as from January 22 next, und that Mr Allison should ho granted three months’ loavo of absence from that a a to.

The Commissipner of Crown Lands wrote with regard to the proposed acquisition by the Crown of a portion of tho Board’s lands for tlie purposes of Territorial camps. In addition to tho area of 4800 acres included in tho original proposal, it was desired to acquire an area of 3200 acres on tlie westward and 841 aores on tho eastward, making a total of 8841 acres. Tho letter was received. A letter was received from the Public Trustee with regard to tho Board’s sinking fund. There was a legal question involved as to whether the Board’3 suggested mode of investing operated to prevent tho money from falling into the common fund. If tho sinking fund did not fall into the common fund it was not entitled to tho protection of the State guarantee, and any loss or deficiency must be borne by tho Board. The Public Trustee was bound by statute to pay inr.orcst on common fund mouevs whether tlioy earned it or not. With regard to a suggestion that it might be necessary for tho Board to appoint a Commissioner, the letter stated that this could not be done. The Trustee was only desirous of placing tho sinking fund on a satisfactory legal basis. It was decided to obtain legal advice On the matter.

Mr W. P. Sponcer gave notice to move at tho next meeting of the Board —“That if satisfactory urrangpments can bo made with the Waimairi County Council, future meetings of tliq bo hold at tho Waimairi premises at Pananui.”

Accounts for £2Ol 11s 9d were passed for payment.