WAIMAKARIRI HARBOUR BOARD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1011, 9 May 1917, Page 10

WAIMAKARIRI HARBOUR BOARD.

The first general monthly meeting of the Waimakariri Harbour Board was held on Monday evening, there being present: Messrs' W. Doubleday, .1. VV. Barnard, James Wright, K. Mcintosh, L. B. Evans, T. Keetlcv, R. .1. Corbett, J. H. Reay, and L. Edmonds. Mr W. Doubleday was elected chairman, this being the third year in succession that ho has occupied the chair. Correspondence was received from the Minister of Marine, notifying that his Excellency the Governor had appointed Messrs L. Edmonds and T, Keetley as Government representatives to the board for a term of three years. Correspondence was received from the Commissioner of Taxes, requesting particulars of all debentures issued by the board duriug the past year from the Census and .Statistical Department, Wellington, asking for statistical returns. The correspondence was received, and it was derided to comply with the requests. The harbourmaster's report gave the average depth of water on the bar for the month 7ft 9in to Bft. The bar had worked another five chains further south. Soundings below Katraki showed 7ft: Oiu to Bft at, high water, the • other parts of the river being the same as at last report. Ou April 2'-i the old signal-staff collapsed. He had engaged a man to remove the loose gear to the north, aide of the river, which had been done. He would like the small house removed to this side of the river, to stow the balls in to protect them from the weather. The brush fence round the staff wanted repairing, in order to keep the sand from blowing away. The report was receivexl and adopted, the matter of shifting the small house being left, to the Works Committee to deal with.

A deputation, comprising Messrs .T. Brvden and G. McGregor, tenants of the board, and representing tiie whole of the hoard's tenants, then waited on the hoard, in order to ascertain their positions in regard to the installation of electric light.

Mr Bryden said that none of the tenants had done anything to install the light, as they were doubtful about their positions. They were only monthly tenants, and asked whether they would have to install the light themselves, or would the board assist them in any way, and that, in the event of their tenancy being terminated, what would be the position as regarded the fittings, if the tenants put the light in? Mr McGregor said that the tenants considered that the board should install the light. After the deputation had withdrawn, the board decided that the tenants should install the light, and that, if any tenancy was terminated withiu five

years, the board would take over the fittings at a valuation, and, further, that, if the Borough Council asked for a guarantee for any tenant from the board, the Finance Committee should be given power to deal with it. Two applications to purchase willows, extending from Holland's Corner to the end of the embankment, were received, the successful applicant being John Raich, at a price of £-. The board decided to hom a special meeting on Monday evening next, May 14, to discuss amendments to tho Waimakariri Harbour Board Improvement Bill. A vole of thanks for their past services was passed unanimously to Messrs 11. ifevell and B. Lissaman, the two retiring members of the board. The financial report gave receipts £lB J.l/4 and bank overdraft £i:JB 18/4. Accounts for £li) 1/7 were passed for payment.