The River Board Rates.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7062, 14 January 1891, Page 2

The River Board Rates.

The first meeting of the Board of Conservators for the South Waitnakariri, held yesterday, was remarkable for some very outspoken utterances at firat, and a display of great weakness at last. Having carried Mr Peryman's resolution that no new works should be entered into, the members subsequently decided to go on with a new breastwork to the height of the waterlevel, which the Overeeer reports will cost at least £100, and will form the basement of a permanent work, should they at any time decide to complete it. To complete the proposed protective works in the locality, he further stated that the sum of .£SOO would be needed. Now this is the very point at which the Board is likely to commit it3elf. It is advised that it will not be liable for damage unless Buch damage is caused through the neglect to maintain the works already in existence, but not in case of not providing more protection. Therefore its position is clear, and should not be abandoned. The works in existence are not being threatened at all. The river is attacking a point where no such protective works exist. But the Board, in the face of this opinion and Mr Peryman's resolution, actually propose to put in new work, which is not at all calculated to be beneficial, or even to stand, and are in this way spending the Christchurch ratepayers' money in a way j which is open to serious objection. In | incurring further expenditure of any sort j on new works they are acting contrary to the spirit of the opinion received, and are stultifying themselves by acting contrary j to their own resolution. Truly it is time | the ratepayers of Christchurch entered their protest.