STEWARD SETTLERS WATERRACE BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11605, 12 April 1912, Page 1

STEWARD SETTLERS WATERRACE BOARD.

The Steward settlers held an important ineeting in the Papakaio Hall yesterday afternoon. There was only a. small attendance of settlers, and Mr M'Phail was elected chairman. He said he was sorry that there was such a poor attendance, as the business (the election of a Board of Control for the water races) was one of the utmost importance. . The minutes of the previous meeting were then read and confirmed, and a letter from Sir W. J. Steward thanking the settlers for their kind and appreciative resolution carried ■ at the last meeting was read by the secretary, who also read a good deal of correspondence to and from the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The Chairman then proceeded with the business in hand. .He said much would have to be expended before the water races would be in satisfactory working order, and he did not consider that the settlers should be saddled with this expense, or should form a Board of Control until the races were put in good order. A, good deal of discussion ensued in connection with the races, and complaints were made by' several of the settlers. Out of this discussion the following resolutions were evolved(l) It was proposed and seconded that a Board of Control should be formed, provided that the races were put in proper working order, and that a letter should be sent to the Land Board pointing out that there were many necessary repairs to be made." —Carried. (2) It was proposed and seconded that the number of the Board of Control should be seven. —Carried. (3) It was proposed and seconded that the secretary be, instructed to take the necessary steps towards forming a Board of Control.— Carried. . . • A lengthy discussion was entered into in regard to these resolutions, resulting in the first and third being rescinded. A fresh motion was then proposed and seconded as follows: —"That a Board of Control be formed, and the secretary be instructed to point out to the Land Board that the proposed Board of Control expects to have the races .put in satisfactory working order before they assume control.—Carried. ' This resolution was satisfactory to ail pvcspiitj and a vote of thanks_ to the chair and press closed the meeting.