OTAUTAU RIVER BOARD.

Western Star, 20 August 1929, Page 4

OTAUTAU RIVER BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the River Board on Tuesday evening was attended by Messrs John Smith (chairman), J. Muir, P. G. Dahlenburg, D. McGregor, A. Souness, J T. Ryan, J. H. Smith and J. G. Elett.

The secretary Wallace A. and P. Association applied for a remission of - rates on showgrounds.—Received. Messrs W. T. May and Sons and five others drew attention to the continual erosion of the natural hank of the Aparima River on the property of Mr W. T. May. The writers stated that it had been the custom of certain property owners for some years to place trees in the river where - the erosion occurred. They considered that this practics was not entirely successful, as the artificial hank erected' to prevent flooding of the lower half of Bayswater flat was in immediate danger of being undermined and destroy ed by the river. As a result of the said erosion the road leading to the Cabbage Tree would ultimately be destroyed. The petitioners asked the board to cut a channel across the .bend on Section 14, and prevent further erosion by diverting the river. —The Chairman,- Messrs Ryan and Souness were authorized to have the work carried out, expenditure not to exceed £2O. The clerk Otautau _ Town Board wrote drawing attention to the gorse growing on the river hank, and asked that something be done to prevent it spreading. —The chairman, Messrs McGregor, and J. H. Smith, were authorized to deal with the watter.

The question of rates for the ensuing year was fully discussed, the members of No 1 subdivision stating that a definite promise had , been made to the ratepayers that these would he reduced immediately the work in the subdivision was completed. In accordance with notice of motion Mr Muir moved that the following ratse be struck: fd ill the £ in class A, §d in class B ant 3-16 d hi class C, all on the capital value. Mr J. H. Smith moved as an amendment that the foregoing rates be struck in all subdivisions except No 1, in which they would be reduced to id, id, and Jd respectively. The voting was even, the chairman Y giving his casting vote in favour of \ the amendment, which, on becoming the motion, was carried unanimously.

The following resolution was carried : V ‘That the Oautau River Board, having given notice of its intention, and / having received no objections thereto, hereby resolves to apply to th© Local Government Loans Board for authority to borrow ,£2500 to carry out deepening, starigl}tennig, widening and other works on the Otautau and Opio streams.

It was resolved that the solicitor prepare the necessary petition, and that Messrs John Smith and John Muir obtain signatures thereto. The classification lists were ' submitted and approved. Messrs Souness and Ryan were empowered to fill the rabbit holes on the bank of the Aparima River at Bayswater. The same members were also authorized to spend up to £2O to carry out protective work on the Aparima river in case of emergency.