RANGIIKH CATCHMENT BOARD HAS MUCH WORK AHEAD, SAYS CHAIRMAN

Wanganui Chronicle, 16 December 1949, Page 4

RANGIIKH CATCHMENT BOARD HAS MUCH WORK AHEAD, SAYS CHAIRMAN

MARTON, Last Night (S.R.) “Another year of progress in the national task of soil conservation and rivers control has ended. Much si ill remains To bo attempted and achieved. The? vastness of the problems that confront the board is becoming more and more evident as we proceed from year Io year to a fuller appreciation of the need for lhe work for which catchment boards were established.” This comment was made by lhe chairman of the Rangitikei Catchment. Board, Mr. K. A. Williams, presented at Ihe annual meeting in Marton today. The chairman reviewed various phases of the board’s working during the past year and since its inception four years ago. “Quick and striking results,” he staled, “cannot be expected, nor can they be accomplished. The very nature of the task before catchment boards is of necessity one requiring careful planning to ensure an economic return for money spent. The greater portion of the work >must be of a long-term nature, and as such, results will not be evident immediately. “Catchment boards possess the means by careful administration and wise expenditure of their available finance to make a useful contribution to the increase of primary production and assist in maintaining the basis of national economy.” The administrative rate for the Rangitikei Catchment Board's district during the past year was l-15d in the £1 on the capital value of rateable property, producing £4386. Of this amount £4286 12s 3d was received by the board, plus £2B 18s lOd of arrears, a total of £4313 12s 3d. The amount in the hands of constituent local bodies, and arrears, as at March 1, 1949, was £357 odd. The board started its year with a credit in the administration account of £1305 15s Id, and completed the year with a credit of £lOOB 2s lid. The joint engineering agreement with the Rangitikei County Council continued to function satisfactorily, the chairman added. Both the engineer, Mr. H. Murray-Reid, and his assistant engineer. Mr. R. W. Harris, had given valuable service to the board. Other members of the county engineering staff had also given good service to the board whenever called on. Mr. M. C. Fenwicke continued to give efficient service as secretary to the board. “Difficulty has been experienced in obtaining sufficient and suitable employees for the board’s general labouring work,” the chairman stated. “In common with other local bodies, the board must adhere to award rates of pay, and it is placed at a distinct disadvantage in not being able to compete with the rates of pay prevailing in other avenues of employment.” The board had made steady progress with its main programme of work as well as undertaking other comparatively large schemes.