LOWER WAIRAU RIVER BOARD

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 274, 21 November 1919, Page 2

LOWER WAIRAU RIVER BOARD

The adjourned monthly meeting of tho Lower Wairau River Board was held on Wednesday evening. There were present: Messrs Frank Adams (in the chair), W. Oarr, and E. S. Parker.

THE BOARD'S BOUNDARIES

The Town Clerk wrote that at a, conference of several owners and lessees of land abutting on the Taylor River south of the Burleigh bank (of which the Borough Council was one of the owners) to the first crossing on Taylor Pass Road, it was resolved to wait on the River Board said represent to it the advisability _nf its taking the necessary steps to include the Taylor River between the points ir-entioned in the Board's administrative area. The conference also resolved to ask the Board to investigate the recent flood damage along both banks and suggest immediate remedial measures, with an estimate of cost.

A deputation waited on the Board. It consisted of Messrs W. D. Pike (Deputy Mayor), who represented the Council; Mr H. Howard, representing Carter's Trustees; and. Mr Fairweather, residing on the New Renwick Road near Burleigh. It was explained that a larger deputation was anticipated, but several who had promised to accompany it had not attended.

Messrs Pike and Howard emphasised the fact, that the public interest was very largely concerned in the question of providing adequate protection from Taylor floods in the manner suggested. They hoped that the Board would give the' proposal now made its full sympathy. Mr Fairweather said that the damage done in his locality by the recent flood was very considerable, {.nd he thought that this area should be added to the Board's district.

The chairman said that years ago the Board wanted to get the residents and settlers of the area in question into the Board's district, but they always resisted the idea The present proposition would require attention at the hands of the whole of the Board, and it Avas expected that there Avould be a full attendance at the next meeting. But it Avould be necessary for the people who Avere seeking to have the boundaries extended to get up a petition signed by one-third of their number, and this should be their next step. Mr Parker pointed out that those who were interesting themselves in the movement would have to define carefully the area they wished to add to the Board's district.

Mr Carr expressed the view that the Borough Council should carry out tho necessary flood-protection work, as it had done in the past. It was r»ally a borough Avork. The deputation then retired.'

INSPECTOR'S REPORT

The inspector (Mr IX Greig) reported that, having gone into the question, he thought that it would not be possible to turn Mill Creek into the Omaka River. The Omaka ran at a rruch higher level. With regard to the suggestion that the Fairhall River and Mill Creek should be turned into the Opawa River at a point a little above Mr Jackson's house, he saw no difficulty so far as the bed of the Omaka Avas concerned; as there was a fall up to that point, but from there on to the Opawa was a rise of several feet, and this meant that the Avaterwould have to be forced uphill. To his mind such an undertaking would be very risky. A quotation for a supply of wiles required to strengthen the banking at the gasworks; and the Fire Brigade Station was discussed, and finally it Avas resolved that the inspector ascertain whether bluegums could be procured at a satisfactory price.

GENERAL

The Wairau Harbor Board, in a letter of reply, stated that it. had arranged to have wHloavs removed from its wharf property.—The secretary was instructed to write back and explain that Avhat the River Board had asked Avas that the Harbor Board should require riparian pro-perty-oAvners to remove willows Avhich Avere impeding the fIoAV along the full length of the OpaAva River from Blenheim to the sea.

The To_wn Clerk wrote conveying .a request from the Borough Council that the Board remove Avillows, gorse. and broom that obstructed the flow of flood water in the Taylor River opposite i Burleigh, the Council undertaking to bear half the cost of the necessary Avork.—The inspector Avas instructed to attend to the matter as soon as possible. The ToAvn Clerk advised that the Borough Council could not entertain the Board's suggestion that the

superstructure of the School bridge should be raised 3 feet 6 inches. As for the supports Avhich the Board asked should be removed, these were, in the opinion of the Council, necessary for the proper maintenance of the structure.—On the motion of Mr Parker it was resolved that, in the opinion of the Board,, neAV stringers should be put in, as there Avas danger of a serious accident occurring under the pressure of a heavy load. The intimation from the Spring Creek River Board that the necessary number of signatures Cone-third of the ratepayers) had been secured, for the petition praying for amalgamation will be considered at the next meeting of the Lower Wairau River Board,