LOWER WAIRAU RIVER BOARD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXX, Issue 79, 5 April 1894, Page 3

LOWER WAIRAU RIVER BOARD.

♦_ The monthly meeting of the Lower Wairau River Board was held last night thero being present : — Messrs MoArJney (chairman) Coleman, Adams, Carr, and Patohett. The minutes of tho previous meeting read and confirmed. COnRESPONDKNOH. Mr T. Redwood of Burleigh wrote asking that an over-growth of willows at the Taylor water-way m the vicinity of hia property receive attention. Mr J. O'Doneghne wrote pointing out a defeat at Seymour's embankment and asking that it bs atteaded to. It was resolved that the members of the Board visit both localities. A letter was received from the Secretary of the Omaka Road Board otlling attention to the seriousness of tho overflow of the Waihopai River at Gibson's Creek, as pr»ved by the recent flood. On the motion of Mr Oarr it was resolved that the matter be held over until the receipt of Mr Watson's (manager of the Delta Station) reply to a letter from the Board relatiig to the subjcot. A letter was received from Mr Cuthbert, engineer, of Christchurch, who had been engaged to report on the levels ef Fester's Channel and Rose's Overflow, saying bs was leaving Lyttelton for Blenheim on tho 7th April. BANKING. Mr Bubb waited on the Board re a bask on the line of Foster's Channel. He handed m a plan of proposed operations, and explaned that if the Board would erect about 18 chains he would raise about 25 chains, lie had waited some lima m the hops of sense assistance being granted to him, and he was praotically ruined. A general opinion was expressed that the Spring Creek Board and ratepayers should interest themselveß m the Foster's Channel schema, since as mticb benefit would result from its operation to the Grovetown portion of the Spring Creek district as to Blenheim. Mr Adams thought the two Boards should confer on the matter. It was finally resolved that the matter be allowed to remain as at present until the receipt of Mr Cuthbart's report. Tbe Chairman explained that with regard to the banking of the Omaka, a sobeme had been brought up for filling m the pro perty around tba Presbyterian Churob, bjt the Trustees had ebjeotsd to that work and banking had to be proceeded with. Mr Patchett moved that the question of banking the Omaka be held over till the receipt of Mr Cutbbert's report. He suggested that the Borough Connoil b» asked for permission to raise the footpath m front of the Fire Brigade Station and Church. Mr Carr remarked that tho Fire Brigade Station would suffer from such a bank. The Chairman objected to an irregular system of banking, and eaid that m the event of erecting such a bank tbe people m Grove Road would suffer. The unwisdom of banking irregularly was proved by the fact that the recent flood m the Omaka river was the largest one m the memory ef the oldest reaidents. It was m hia opinion due to the fact that the Opawa river had been brought round to the junction and forced into the town. Mr Carr, thought that a good deal waa being eaid about the height ef floods and it was being forgotten that the floods ware no higher than they had been m tht past. The work done by the Borough Council m raising the streets raised the water into tbe shops, and if shopkeepers were content to let tht water m it was their owa concern. Mr Patohett's motion was then put and carried. Mr Adims referred to the Customhouse Street Bank, aad moved that it be levelled from the Gasworks to the town boundary to its original height, at an expenditure not exceeding £10. Tbe Chairman moved as an amendment that the matter be referred to the Inspector to report on. Tho amendment was carried, Messrs Carr, Patohett, and the mover voting for it. •OTSTANDING BATES. The Chairman referred to tho matter of outstanding rates. A judgment for £28 12a 3d had been obtained against one p'operty owner twelve months ago, and a cheque for the amount bad been dishonored. Their duty was plain and that was to colleot their rates, and he moved that their solicitor bo instructed to take the neoesßary steps to enforce judgment. Mr Coleman seconded the motion whioh was carried. Mr Patohett moved that the Secretary be instructed to cue for all rates two years m arrears. Mr Coleman ssoonded the motion whioh was carried. WILLOW COTTIKG. If was resolved that the Secretary be m« struoted to colleot aa acoount owing by a property owner for willow outting on the bankß of the Opawa. The following tenders were opened for cutting willows on the banks of the Omaka River. M. Lydon £6 19a ; H. C. Buckley £6 103 (accepted). It was decided to call for tenders to cat the willows of those persons who had been served with notice so to do, but had not complied. After passing accounts the Board ad-' jonrned.