WAIMAKARIRI-ASHLEY WATER SUPPLY BOARD.

Oxford Observer, Volume V, Issue V, 12 May 1894, Page 2

WAIMAKARIRI- ASHLEY WATER SUPPLY BOARD.

i. A meeting of the' abov^ ißoara was held at Eangiora « Tuesday ; present—^Messrs' t; #Hallbran ?(cHairinan) : M. Dixon, J. Wolff and 8. Heywood. The, OhairmanUtafea* &rM/ <Dix 6n s ?ffn7d a £e^w^^^ advice , as fa. the bfiaji means of stopping all proceedings m connection with the Eock Ford irrigation scheme, and of meeting liabilities at present existing.

After discussing the matter Mr Oowlishaw had suggested that the present meeting should be adjourned for another week, and m the meantime he would look through the minutes and the Act and forward the Board his opinion. He informed them, however that no loan had been arranged for. After their interview with Mr Cowlishaw they saw Mr Stead, who generously agreed to retire from his position of financial agent m connection with rasing the loan without putting the Board to any expense. Mr Dixon stated that during their conversation, Mr Cowlishaw made the remark that the late Board should have held a short adjourned meeting to confirm tbe minutes of the meeting held before they went out of office. With reference to the finances, Mr Webster informed the Board that a debenture of £50 had been purchased by Mr Joyce, of Lytteltbn, and the - money placed m the bank to the credit of the Board. Ifc-wQuld.be necessary to add this amount to the list of liabilities before the meeting last week, with 5A per cent interest. Mr Joyce *" had a receipt for the money, but no debenture had been issued. The draft letter to be forwarded to the Premier, asking for the services of the Engineer-in-Chief to report on the intakes, was read and approved. Mr Dixon suggested that a printed form of petition should be provided for ratepayers who desire to approach the Board for water service, and also a form, of application for sub-districts to be formed. , At the request of Mr Dixon tSie agreement with the engineer was read. The document was dated April 24,' 1894, and provided for Mr Webster's engagement for three years frotn May 31, 1892, one month's notice of termination to be given on either side. The Chairman remarked that the Board,' as far as he was aware, was * perfectly satisfied with Mr Webster's services and would be glad to have hi 3 engagement continued. The only point open for comment was the facf; of the agreement having been prepared only a\few days before the late Board went out of office. Mr Dixon referred to a statement made, to the effect that "Mr Webster wouirl be dismissed on the election of the new Board. He was sure there was no grounds whatever for such report. Perhaps the preparation of the agreement was due to it. Mr Webster said this was really the case. He had heard tbe report, and as his engagement had been made for three years, he thought under the circumstances he was entitled to an agreement to protect himself. Mr Dixon said that as he intended to seek to get the private water-races on his land -placed on a proper footing and handed over to the public, he should be glad to have Mr Webster to inspect them. The Chairman remarked that the rate-payers were anxious to see a balance-sheet m connection with the receipts and expenditure of the" lats Board. He would suggest that a state- - ment be prepared for publication. The clerk was instructed to prepare ' a balance-sheet. The meeting then adjourned fora week.