WAIRAU RIVERS BOARD

Marlborough Express, Volume XI, Issue 876, 16 December 1876, Page 6

WAIRAU RIVERS BOARD

A meeting- of the Wairau Rivers Board was held at Mr Eccles' office on Wednesday evening last. The members present were Messrs Litchfield (m the chair), C Redwood, Eyles, Rose, and Dalziel. The minutes of tlie previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Secretary read the following report from Mr Douslin : — Blenheim 13th Dec. 1876. ■' Gentlemen, — I have the honor to submit for your consideration plans and specifications for proposed works to be erected m the Wairau River. No. 4 plan is a rough sketch of the river showing No. 1 No. 2 and No. 3 breaches m the Wariau River also plan of Retaining Wall at Rock Ferry. No. 2 plans are intended for the extension of the spur at Rock Ferry. No. 5 plans are intended for the extension, of the Retaining Wall at Rock Ferry. No 3 plans are intended for the breach of the 24th of October 1876. This breach is about one and half mile below Rock Perry aul is about half a mile North West of the old breach. The day after the fl o<\ of the 2-lth of October, when the flood had subsided m crossing the Wairau River I was surprised to find it so low. I had just previously left Rock Ferry and was quite sure the water was not escaping ab No. 1 or No. 2 breach to diniiuk'h the water to such an extent, dome time afterwards I went to Rock Ferry and traced the River downwards, and discovered the broach referred to. Tne Wairau branch of the River at No. 3 breach wa3 parth blocked up with trees and Bcrub ihat had floated clown the river, thus raising a shingle bed and tending to increabe the breach into tlie Opawa River; I made arrangements with Mr Smart to get a horse and haul them out. There is more water running down this breach than all the other portions of the river put together. I have prepared plans that 1 feel confident will protect this part of the river. I cannot recommeud the extension or the erection of any Floating Spurs at Rock Ferry until this breioh has been thoroughly secured. To send more water down the Wairau River at Rock Ferry would increase the size of the breach. - 1 am &c. , William Douslin. —The report was laid on the table. FINANCES. The Secretary (Mr Eccles) said that the Board .was about £200 m debt, but this was owing to- the difficulty that was experienced m getting the money m. Nominally their assets \vo-e £318,. but really they were fully LIOO short of that amount. He was of opinion that before they undertook any fresh works they should have not only to levy a new rate, but also to get m the subsidy which the Government had to pay them. That subsidy would amount to L 245, being 5a m the pound on the rates collected during tho half year ending 31st March last. He pointed outthatif they wished to borrow monoy for new worka they would have to go to the ratepayers, nnd ask permission to do so, and he did not think that at the present time the ratepayers would care about taxing themselves any further, so that they would probably not get permission to borrow. After a short dicussion it was resolved on the motion of Mr Eyles, Beconded by Mr Redwood, "that the question as to the advisability of entering on any new- works be postponed until next meeting of the Board." AUDITOR. Mr Horton was appointed to act as Auditor, m conjunction with Mr Nosworthy, for the ensuing year. The meeting then adjourned for a fortnight.