WAIRAU RIVER RESERVES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 137, 12 June 1913, Page 3

WAIRAU RIVER RESERVES.

PETITION FOR AN ENDOWMENT.

A petition signed by twenty residents of the North Bank > and Kaiihma subdivisions'was received by the Land Board yesterday, having been forwarded by the Pelorus Road Board. It called attention to the fact that the reserves on each side of the Wairau River set apart for stockresting purposes in the early provincial days were not further required for such a purpose. The completion of the bridge largely overcame the necessity for such extensive accommodation. The petitioners did not desire absolutely to deprive owners or purchasers of stock of the right to rest their stock, and they submitted that a small portion near the cemetery should be retained for the purpose, and asked that the balance of the reserves be vested in the Pelorus Road Board as bridge endowment reserves. They were fully aware of the crushing burden imposed on the district by the inequitable allocation to which the district was subject, and felt assured that such an endowment would afford a "measure of relief. The petitioners further urged that a portion of the very large sums periodically drawn from the district by way of timber tithes be directed to the purpose of planting portions of those reserves for the more effectual protection of the 'public bridge, all costs and. charges incidental to such planting, protection, fencing, etc., to be defrayed from the tithes, which had been collected from the district for ■so many many years and expended elsew.here. In the course of discussion, Mr J. Fulton expressed the hope that the prayer of the 'petitioners would be j favorably considered. The local j authority was, he urged, fully j entitled to them, and he also, pointed out that if the reserves were utilised j as contemplated, the . Blenheim and) adjoining districts would be benefited j as the cause of river-conservation ■ would be served. j The Commissioner (Mr Skinner)'! said that the Forestry Commission, j when in this district, gave some ; attention to these reserves. It was \ mentioned that unless a large area of land was set on one side for the] purpose the expenditure and trouble j that would be involved in the plant- j ing of the reserves would not be war- ; ranted. He remarked that the ; report of the Commission had been ] presented to the Minister, and any j reference it contained to the reserves j should become known shortly. ] The question was deferred to next ; meeting. . I