RIVER BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, 27 November 1912, Page 6

RIVER BOARD.

MEETING HELD YESTERDAY

THE 'BOARD’S POWERS DISCUSSED.

A meeting of the Poverty Bay River Board was held yesterday afternoon. there being present Messrs. G. Witters (chairman), H. G. Tucker, and D. Kirkpatrick. The plan which accompanied the report on flood prevention by Mr. C. D. Kennedy, C.E., was laid on the table. PRIVATE STOP-BANKS. Mr. A. Tuoliy, Patutahi, wrote asking for favorable consideration in the rating of land, owing to the heavy expense lie had in protecting his land from damage caused by floods in the past. The chairman thought the matter might well be dealt with later on when a rate was being struck, and the Board agreed to leave the matter over. Mr. Tucker remarked that there was something more than at first sight behind the matter above referred to. The Board would eventually have to face the matter of private step-banks.

APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY

On the subject of the duties of a River Board secretary, correspondence was received. The secretary of the Hawke’s Bay Board wrote detailing his duties, which wore of the usual secretarial nature, and stated that his remuneration, including office expenses, was .£230 par annum. Particulars of the Waimakoriri and the now extinct Upper Ashburton Boards were received.

The chairman stated that he would have liked to bare seen a full meeting, because there was much important business to transact. The correspondence dealing with the secretary would have to be dealt with, and the Board would have to. ascertain what it could afford to pay a secretary and what hi-s duties would be.

It was decided to inquire of the Hawke’s Bay Board ns to its valuation, revenue, and rate.

The chairman said the matter of employing an engineer, whether permanent or otherwise, would also have to be considered, and a larger meeting had better attend to these matters. A LEGAL VIEW NEEDED. Mr. Tucker said that the Board should ascertain its power in the matter of authorising owners and occupiers to clear willows from the waterfront. Section 77 of the “River Boards Act” said: ‘’The Board may order the occupier, or in case there is no occupier, then the owner of any land on the bank of any river or stream within its jurisdiction, to remove any tree, shrub, or bush, or any part thereof hanging in the water and impeding the free flow thereof, or to lower or trim any part of a, tree or bush overhanging a river or stream and likelv to fall

therei n." Mr. Tucker said it would be wise to obtain a legal opinion on the point, because the first thing the Board had to do was to have these willows cleared away.

The secretary said the Act appeared to deal only with willows and obstructions threatening to fall into the river, and not with those in the water already. On the motion of Mr Tucker, it was decided to secure the legal opinion, as suggested, front Mr. J. W. Nolan, solid tot.

Mr. Tucker said the time was-ripe for doing this clearing during January and February. He pointed- out that the removal of willows and the classification were, in his opinion, tlie most important matter to be discussed at present, and then tlie matter of appointing officers could be dealt with.

OTHER MATTERS. Further deliberation on several matters ended in the meeting being adjourned for a fort night, when it is hoped that a fuiL Board will be present. One matter to be considered is as to whether the Board's affairs can be conducted through the office of the Cook County Council. Mr. Tucker sounded a note of tlie caution that the Board had better “speedup” and commence operations, before the winter was t-oo far advanced.

The date for the next meeting will !>e arranged later.