CLUTHA RIVER CONSERVATORS' BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6736, 17 September 1883, Page 4

CLUTHA RIVER CONSERVATORS' BOARD.

(Clutha Leader.)': ':';.-.,-;■ - The adjourned annual meeting of the; above Board was held in-the Athenaum Hidl en Tuesday last. .There were present:, Messrs James Smith (chairman), J. Dunne, J. Gibson, aad R. Hogg. - •■■■',.■'•-■'-.'•.'■•.'..■::■',-..-,- '■-> The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. '.- ••"•_.■' v ■'/'. - -... The Secretary reported'the result of the. recent annual election. :.i • ■'•'■■..'*■'[. f '.•''•'."' :'.--' The.- abstract of receipts' and expenditure was submitted, examined, and allowed by the Board. ' . ': r ".."- - : '_ . Mr Dunne moved—" That Mr Smith be reelected.chairman and treasurer of . the, Board." Seconded by Mr Gibson, and"carried. ■ '.. Mr Hogg moved a hearty vote ; of thanks to the Chairman for his past servic'es:to: the Board. > Although he lived at a considerable distance, he had attended every meeting, and it no doubt was much owing to, his influence and exertions that the Board occupied the favourable position it did.—-MrDiiririe seconded the motion, which was carried."•: ; ' -- .The Chairman thanked the members for their renewed confidence. >.:/ .-'-,■

The Secretary read the following report of the Executive Committee, which was adopted:— . -:.!■:- "EEPOBT OF EXECUTIVE tioitlllTTßß. "This being the first meeting of the Board Bince the annual election, it may be right to explain for the information of new members tbe work and piesent position of the' Board. During the past year the steamer Matau was for some time employed removing obstructions from the river, and there is now a clear channel —a better channel than 'was ever,known to \ exist —between the ocean and'Tuapeka Mouth, a distance of about- 40 miles. There are, however, a few snags remaining, 'the removal of which would render the navigation still more safe, but these can be dealt with during spare days whon the steamer is engaged in other work. Notwithstanding that the channel is at present in good condition, constant watchfulness is necessary, as with a heavy flood in the river fresh snags and other obstructions may present themselves. - "'.-.- ' ~ v ..- ---' During last grain and wool seasons, tbe Matau was employed by numerous' settlers between the bottom of Inch- Clutha and Tuapeka Month ta carry produce and other cargo to and from Balclutha railway-station. In this way the steamer earned about £850 for' freight, which has been all collected arid paid into the Bank to account of the Board. The Matau proved of very great efjryice'.to^ many whose location prevents themv.hasing advantage ofthe railway system of thia Colnnv T flMJLjfjiig.»"» but ill-provided with ordinary tn^^3^s^^^@ There is every reason to believe that the.fa3nS"w|| ties for carriage afforded by the steamer j^ j.-^B| induce a much,larger area being puturiaer~~-" cultivation within a reasonable distance of the river, both up and down the valley of the Clutha, thus augmenting the railway revenue, ' and promoting the general prosperity of the district. The inauguration -of such a traffic as the navigation <ot the Clutha - River, necessitated' many arrangements to be carefully made, and, as will be easily understood,, entailed a large/amount of labour, besides constant daily, attention to cargo arriving and departing for so .many different localities. This duty would be very much lightened if regular trips could: be established, but this in the meantime is impracticable, and will so continue until a largely increased population, is settled in : the Clutha Valley. With the experience gained, however, and having all appliances.complete and fully tested, future operations will be carried on with greater confidence, and it is believed, as in the past, with entire satisfaction to all concerned. . :■'-., .'..'■-, - ''.-..'■ ~-'. '.'. :,- •- . "The Matau-is fully equipped for either removing obstructions in the channel or for navigating the river. For either class of work she leaves nothing to be desired. Although only 25 tons register, she carries with ease, ejthor with or against the current, cargoes of 50 tons, and .that, too, with a very light draught of water. : . '-'■-' .•.-•■

' "It will be seen that "during the year, through the use: of this sterner,, two great objects have' thus Been achieved—(l) a clear channel has been opened up for the whole length of the river under control of the Board, and (2) it has been practically-demonstrated that, notwithstanding the force of current and other difficulties, the Clutha River can both with ease arid safety be navigated by a steamer of the construction and'power ofthe Matau., Thus what the late Provincial - Government spent so much money to attain, -what successive General Governments have been "so anxious to see accomplished, and what an feri£swment of 50,000 acres was set apart to aid,:: has new been fully carried out by the Board.'.'.'-,. > "Considering that _ the revenues -of tho - j*j„C Board have hitherto' averaged under £600j_s5j f ; a year, and looking at the heavy expeff^pjpture. during the past season in the purclifiif Is'^-j^-'gj Bteamer, erection of store,'-coal-shed,-.i^RM'^^Sifii' would surprise no one had the Board inei__TaS^;:-::J__ry'.i!J considerable liabilities yet to be" liqnidatedyw'""'". »■ The Board, however, is in a good financial position. On the personal responsibility of the' Chairman, a load of £700 was" obtained last year, and in this way a. Baving-of interest was effected. This- loan is the only liability, and the .Board has a email credit at the Bank. .■.."-.'.-

"As assets we have a steamer, punt, store, coal-shed, &c. of tbe value of about £4600, all fully furnished and in a state of; thorough efficiency. Thus It will be admitted that in the past the revenues of the Board have been carefully husbanded, and that the. objects for which it was constituted are being faithfully and efficiently carried out. -.'.-..'■'.

"Only one more matter requires mention. In consequence of. the Matau and South Molyneux Road Boards having merged into the counties, of Bruce and Clutha, no members of this Board have this year been or can be elected for these,districts under.the present constitution .of. the Board.. ,It".waß hoped that a remedy would have beerii-provided during the late session of Assembly, arid it .was intended this should have, been;done by the River Boards Consolidation Bill introduced by the Colonial Secretary, That -bill, however, was only introduced towards the close of the session, and was not intended to be proceeded with till next session. There will thus ba ample time for the Board considering and discussing the matter, for communication with the membor for the district and the Government, and for submitting clauses to be embodied in the bill mentioned,to meet the special case of this Board. " (Signed) James Smith, Chairman." .

—Tho superintendent of the Nebraska city public schools ia a lady, Mrs M. M. Munger.