CATCHMENT BOARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23186, 27 April 1945, Page 4

CATCHMENT BOARD

Probable Rate To Be Struck Special Meeting Necessary The chairman (Dr. P. R. Woodhouse) informed members of the South Canterbury Catchment Board yesterday that the Finance Committee had considered the estimates, anti it was probable that the rate to be fixed by special order at the next meeting would be in the vicinity of l-25th of a penny. The Finance Committee reported that the credit balance at March 31 was £B7O/2/11, and receipts since then brought the total to £923/9/8. Accounts to be passed for payment totalled £ll3/17/11, leaving a balance of £BO9/11/9.

The chairman remarked that the estimates would be presented at a special meeting to be held later, and at that meeting it would be necessary to fix a rate. The committee had considered the estimates, and they felt that their expenditure would be in the vicinity of £5400. They would have a credit of £7OO, leaving £4700 to be found by the rate, which it was suggested should be l-25th of a penny in the £ on the capital value. That was the suggested rate, and it would be subject to confirmation at the next meeting. Protective Works

Messrs V. W. Wilson and A. C. Shaw wrote applying for protective works in the Opilii River adjoining their properties, and enclosing £5O as their contribution toward the cost of the work.

The chairman said that he and Mr Cleland had inspected where erosion had occurred fronting Mr Shaw’s property, and the spot was a dangerous one. He had attended a meeting of settlers called to consider flooding and erosion, and he had informed the meeting that he thought that the problem at the spot was one for the Catchment Board, but he also pointed out that the Board had no funds for carrying out protective work. There ’Were two alternatives, one being to rate and the other was for settlers to contribute something toward the cost of protective work, and the Board would endeavour to secure a subsidy. Following the meeting, Messrs Shaw and Wilson, who were both affected, had forwarded a contribution. The work was estimated to cost £2OO, and application had been made to the Public Works Department to undertake the work.

The secretary (Mr G. B. Bird) read a letter forwarded to the Soil Conservation Council pointing out the seriousness of the position in the Opihl River and indicating that further freshes in the river would result in the loss of valuable arable land. The Board asked the Council to grant a subsidy for the work, and to request the Public Works Department to put the necessary protective work in hand. The chairman said that no reply had yet been received from the Council. The action taken to date was approved. Ashburton Problem The Mt. Hutt Flood Water and General Irrigation Problems Association wrote requesting the Board to make an inspection of portion of the Mt. Hutt riding of the Ashburton County affected by storm water, flood water and irrigation. The chairman said that the Association had failed to answer a query by the Board as to how much of the area concerned came under the jurisdiction of the County Council as a river board, and such being the case, the matter was not one which concerned the Catchment Board. Mr Turton said that there were some areas in the county which could not be worked at all. The season had been a most abnormal one, and although the river was very low, the average water level was high. He did not think that the Board could do other than inform the Association of the actual position. Mr Talbot said that he thought the Catchment Board had jurisdiction over river and drainage boards, and in the final analysis, the Board would have to see that the work was carried out. The chairman said that the Board’s function was to supervise the work of drainage anti river boards, but the Board would not act in a river or drainage district unless the boards concerned defaulted in the work. It was agreed to advise the Mt. Hutt Association that the matter was one to take up with the Ashburton County Council.

In reply to an inquiry by the Board, Army Headquarters advised that information relative to the position of engineer to the Board had been cabled overseas. If any member of the Second N.Z.E.F. was appointed, he would be released. Mr Riddell remarked that the information had been sent to the Middle East only, but there were several engineers under the India Command who should also be tonsidered. It was agreed to ask the Army authorities to bring the matter to the notice of engineers serving in other commands, and India in particular.

Power Line Crossings The South Canterbury Electric Power Board wrote asking that the Board be notified when river control work was contemplated in the vicinity of power-line crossings so that the safety of the crossings could be assured. It was agreed to accede to the request. A letter from Mr J. Chisholm, Ma Waro, complaining about the action of the Mackenzie County Council in diverting Coal Creek from its original course, with consequent serious erosion, was referred to the Mackenzie County Council.

In accordance with notice given, Mr Raeside moved: “That the Department of Agriculture be asked to undertake a land utilisation survey of the South Canterbury catchment district.” He said that such a survey would be invaluable to the Board in prosecuting its activities. The Department of Agriculture had officers doing just this type of work, and the Department was anxious to help the Board in any way it could. The motion was carried. Another motion by Mr Raeside: “That the Botany Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research be asked to undertake a vegetation survey of the South Canterbury catchment district with special reference to the high country,” was also carried. He pointed out that high country was of value only to the extent of the vegetation it carried. At present the vegetation was mostly imported, some palatable and some not, and there were all sorts of weeds which needed to be studied. Until this work was done, the Board could not be said to be functioning properly. Members Present There were present at the meeting: Dr. P. R. Woodhouse (chairman), Messrs R. G. Cleland, J. D. Raeside, D. Jeune, J. O. Riddell, W. H. Hall, L. V. Talbot. M. S. Turton, R. Buick, T. S. McMillan and J. R. Hawcridge.