WANGANUI RIVER TRUST.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16036, 29 January 1920, Page 9

WANGANUI RIVER TRUST.

A meeting of the Wanganui River Trust was held on the 28th inst., at which there wore present; Messrs T. D. Cummins (chairman), T. B. Williams, J. H. Burnet, Alfred Burnett, Alan Robinson, and W. Morrison. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs W. A. Yeitch, M.P., C, E, Mackay, and A. Harris.

REPORT.—The Chairman reported that No, 1 punt and party were working at Otahua No. 108, building a stone wall; and No. 3 punt and party had completed the work at Poiaka, between Ngaporo rapids 189 and 190, and the work had proved very satisfactory, giving a good channel at this previously difficult place. This punt and party had removed to Te Puha, 200-201, to clear the channel from boulders and shingle deposited there by flood during last working season. River conditions, however, were not suitable for working, owing to recent rains, the river being more or less in flood and muddy, and little or no work had been done. The same remarks applied to Otahua.

CORRESPONDENCE. The Undersecretary of the Lands Department wrote giving a resume of the recent enactments, cancelling the Order in Council and proclamation of 29th December, 189,1, and by Section 85, Subsection 3 proclaiming the areas Crown lands, under the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Pin-’ powering Act, 1919. The Under-Secre-tary for Lands had forwarded a Treasury voucher for LISOO, with a suggestion that application should bo made for tho balance of the Government subsidy when the expenditure of the above amount was nearing completion. Prom the town clerk, Taumarunui Borough Council, stating that his Council considered it was not liable for the amount claimed for metal, and therefore oonld not recognise any liability in the matter. The correspondence was fully discussed, and it was resolved that the agreement entered into between tho Wanganui Elver Trust and tho Taumarunui Borough Council lx? cancelled, and that tho Trust's solicitors be instructed to recover the amount due for 950 yards of metal at 3d per yard. From Mr Win. Day, Manama, applying for a lease of rivor frontage. Reply to be sent that the Trust had no authority to lease tho, land. From Mr Robert Russell, asking for permission to erect a suspension bridge over the Wanganui River 30ft alxrvo summer level at Tawhata, about It miles below the Houseboat. The application was granted at Mr Russell’s risk. From the Resident Engineer, Taumarunui, stating that it was proposed to take part of the river reserve on tho right bank of the river for road purposes. Reply to be sent that the Crown had sold the land in question.

FINANCE.—Bank balance, or. J1899 7s; subsidy due, TIOOO. Sundry accounts were passed for payment.

VISIT.—-It was decided that when the conditions of the river suited—low river —that as many of the members, as could make it convenient should accompany the chairman on a -visit of inspection of the work already accomplished and in progress.

WANGANUI BITER TRUST DOMAIN BOARD.

Present; the same members as at Trust meeting. An application for consent to transfer the lease of Section 11, Block 1. Hanna S.D., from F. W. G. Lincoln to Alfred Aldrcd was granted.

CORRESPONDENCE.—From Mr A. G. Riches and the Taumaninui Borough Council, alleging that a lessee of the Board, Mr J. H. Carrington, had been cutting bush and destroying scenery reserves on Sections 13 and 14, Block 1, Hnnua S.D. The Chairman reported that he had communicated with Mr Carrington twice by wire but had received no reply, and that on the 27th inst. he had placed the whole fact of the destruction of the secenery before the Under-Secretary of the Department of Lands, with a request that action be taken in the matter immediately.