I).—6b

16

The cost of maintenance shall be borne by the following interests in the respective proportions set out hereunder, viz. : — Per Cent. Barnego . . . . . . . . 4 Balclutha Borough . . . . . . 22 Inch-Clutha . . .. . . .. 31 Lakes district . . . . . . Iβ Otanomomo district .. .. 15 Kaitangata Borough .. .. 6 Coal-mines .. .. .. 6 The General Government shall not contribute to the maintenance of the works. Your Commissioners recommend that the rating should be on the capital value of all rateable property within the areas specified. As in each of the areas specified some portions receive more benefit from Hood-protection works than others, and other portions may receive no direct benefit at all, it is recommended that the rating be graduated, as defined in the River Boards Act, such areas as receive no benefit to pay no rates. The fixing of the rates in each area should be the duty of the controlling body hereafter described. Your Commissioners recommend that the balance over and above the co per cent, as above be contributed as follows :— Per Cent. Coal-mines .. .. .. 4 Railway Department .. .. 3 General Government . . . . 33 40 (c.) To report your opinion as to what matters, if any, should be adjusted by legislation. Your Commissioners consider that the whole of their findings, as set forth in this report, should be enacted in special legislation, to be called the Clutha River Improvement Act. (d.) Generally, to report your opinion on all matters arising out of or touching the premises, including the question as to whether or not one or more competent authorities shall be appointed' to control the whole or any portion of the said river, and what statutory powers should be 'possessed, by such authority. Your Commissioners consider that for the purpose of carrying out the works described generally in their recommendations under reference No. 3, and ensuring their proper maintenance in the future, also for the proper control of the river, and for the better protection of the interests of the whole community, one controlling authority should be appointed. The district to be controlled, and over which rates shall be struck to raise portion of the moneys required for the protection-works, shall comprise the whole of the six areas referred to under reference No. 5 (b), and this district shall be termed " The Lower Clutha River Trust District." Each of the areas comprising the district shall be termed a " river riding." The Trust shall be composed of six local representatives, one member being elected from each riding, and also of two Government representatives, called " River Commissioners," appointed for three years by the Minister of Public Works, one of the Government representatives being preferably a Stipendiary Magistrate or some person fully qualified and experienced in local-body work, and the other an engineer with expert knowledge of river-control. Your Commissioners further recommend that the duties of this controlling authority be clearly set out as follows : — (1.) To have detail surveys, plans, estimates, and specifications made for carrying out the works recommended above. These plans shall be approved by the Government nominees on the Trust. (2.) To assess the total sum to be derived from each riding in the. proportion recommended, and to lix the rates on all properties in each river riding, in the ratios of the benefits to be derived, according to the principles laid down in the liiver Boards Act.