WAIMAKARIRI-ASHLEY WATER SUPPLY BOARD.

Oxford Observer, Volume V, Issue V, 19 May 1894, Page 3

WAIMAKARIRI- ASHLEY WATER SUPPLY BOARD.

„ A special meeting of this Board was held at ßajngjiora on Tuesday mornuag. ; pr^t-Mc^ J. 6^H4Uo^(fetoir : ihab), M. Diion, J.D. Dickinson?

S. Hey wood andj. Wolff. The Chairman said that m accordance with a. wish expressed at the last meeting, the secretary had prepared a balance-sheet m connection with the f nances of the late Board, and he would read it. • After some discussion with reference to the finances, it was decided to read a letter received from Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw before dealing with the balance-sheet. The Chairman said that, before reading the letter ne would remind' " the Board that Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw's advice was sought on the following pointsv-^-The 'best means of getting rid of the Bock ford irrigation scheme ; the best means of paying liabilities to date ; and how to deal with the debenture issued-to Mr Joyce. The reply was as follows:— (1) That the Board :at the special meeting on May ; 29 confirm the resolution passed on April 24 last res-] cinding the special resolution passed 'on Jan. 26 last. ■• (2) That the Board at the same special meeting pass a resolution that the special resolution referring to raising a loan of isi.OOO and making and levying a special rate be not confirmed. (3) That the Board pass a resolution that the Eock Ford j irrigation scheme, as submitted to and approved of by the ratepayers, be not ;fdrther proceeded with. (4) That the engineer be instructed to prepare plans j and specifications for a new "scheme to be submitted to the ratepayers.' The r Chairman remarked* that the letter was unsatisfactory, inasmuch as the/ most important queries with reference to the liabilities were not referred to. A letter was read from Mr Joyce, slating that he would be satisfied if his £50 paid for the debenture -were returned with interest to date. Mr Dixon could not see how the solicitors could advise on the momentary | part of the matter. . The. question would be solved by carrying out the fourth clause of their letter. He considered the reply was on the whole very satisfactory, and m accord with the ideas of the Board. Mr Webster, engineer to the Board, pointed out that the preparation and adaptation of another scheme would take aboui six months.and it would be necessary to find money to pay those, engaged. The Chairman agreed with Mr Webster.- .He would not be a party . to incurring a single pound of liabilities beforjaheknew where the money was coMng from to pay with. The late Board madethe mistake- of-employing labour and incurring liabilities before making sure of the t funds to meet its debts.. .. ... . . . -. ... .../,.'. .. „ . .. Mr Heywood moved to the effect, that Messrs Qarrick and Co. should be asked to give a decisive answer to the question as to how the board is to pro- < ceed to raise money to meet the out- ' standing liabilities. ■ Mr Dickinson seconded the motion. Mr Dixon could see that by proceeding with a new- scheme at once the existin liabilities could be made chargeable to the t wnoie of th^ district. The Chairman thought it would, perhaps, be necessary to ask Parliament to pass . an Act to ' enable the Board to rate the district for the J62OOO: ; i After some further discussion the. motion was carried. ' Reference was made to' the land taken from Mr Gorton under the Water-supply Act. -The ;. Engineer stated that the land had actually been taken 'under Section 18 of the Act, the arrangment being to pay £400 for it and make a road. . . . . , It was suggested that the master, should be brought under the notice of the Board's solicitors. ' - i The Chairman said it was currently reported that Mr Taylor, the lowest tenderer fo- the tunnel, had deposited a large amount, which was being held by the Board. " i The clerk said that Mr Taylor deposited a cheque' marked good for fourteen days, and it was now valuless. The clerk was instructed to return the cheque. . After some other matters had been discussed, the Boairi, adjourned for. a week, without the : balance-sheet re-^ feared to at the opening of the meeting! being read. i ;, c ..