SPRING GREEK BOARD

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 259, 7 November 1911, Page 7

SPRING GREEK BOARD

. .._«B>. MONTHLY MEETING

The Spring Creek River Board held its monthly meeting yesterday afternoon, the following: members being present: Messrs Jas. Gane Cchairman),. W. Murray, W. Gifford, and C. Reeves.

FINANCE. A debit balance of £157 10s 5d was disclosed in the financial statement.

Accounts totalling £164 5s 9d were passed for payment. ' OBSTRUCTED FAIRWAY. Mr J. W. Botham drew the Board's attention to the havoc being wrought by the river near his farm, owing to the fairway being obstructed by_ willows and rubbish. In complaining about this, he stated that he was voicing the opinions of all the settlers in the immediate vicinity. Mr Reeves held that the gravel in the river was doing the damage. The Chairman stated that it was not a matter for this Board, as it was out of their province. It was a necessary work to have the willows removed. It was resolved that Mr Botham be informed that this matter was out of the Board's jurisdiction. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The Inspector reported that workmen were proceeding with repairing the banks and protetcive works, which had suffered from last month's flood, and that the river was deepening and corroding at Mr Winsor Soper's below the poplar dam. Gifford's bank, which had been raised, had been grassed during the wet weather. He-was instructed to expedite works that needed immediate attention. It was decided, on the Inspector's recommendation, to thatch the bank at Mr Whisbr Soper's property. COMPENSATION. Mr Winsor Soper waited upon the Board, and stated that in the present contract to repair the bank at his property one acre of bis wheat crop Would be scooped out. He considerd that he was entitled to cqmpensation, and claimed £4, which would be derived from 20 bushels at 4s per bushel. He had not taken into Consideration his. labor and other costs incidental to the sowing of the crop. t The Chairman did not think that the land in question would yield 20 bushels per acre, but upon being assured by Mr Soper that for many years it had produced more than 20 bushels, he -thought that 4s per bushel was a little high, as the market, price for thevlast year had only in a few cases, exceeded 3s Bd. However,, he. recognised, that Mr Sqper, was, entitled to compensation, and was prepared "to vote for a, fair thing., ..." . Mr Murray was in favor of granting ■ thejnoney, as it'was only just that a man should be paid for crops which were taken away from him. The secretary was of opinion that it was opening up a big question, and establishing a precedent, .as in several other places small portions of crops had,been scooped away. Mr Murray moved that Mr Soper be granted £4. !Mr Reeves seconded the motion, wnich-was carried. WILLOW : PLANTING. Mr Jones waited upon the Board, and 'submitted an account of £5 9s for willow-planting on the bank at his property. -He stated that the work had withstood the last big flood. l ' , The account was passed v foi^ payment. The Board then rose.