WATER RACES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 59, 19 December 1945, Page 2

WATER RACES

UNAUTHORISED ALTERATIONS

LEGAL ACTION TO BE TAKEN It: had lately been discovered that farmers had made unauthorised alterations to water races traversing their properties, said the County Clerk (Mr G. Kelly) to-day. As a result the supply to properties lower down on these water-race systems had been detrimentally affected. As the water race system was one of the most important services in the County, the strictest observance of the bylaws governing the supply was necessary to effect equitable distribution of available water. As a result of the interferences, Mr Kelly said, the Council had decided to take legal aftion in future cases of unauthorised alterations to races. Another factor 'mentioned as detrimental to the efficient operation of the system was the inclination of some people to tamper with junctions with the object of obtaing additional water. This, said Mr Kelly; was a serious offence, and action would be taken immediately in cases brought to the notice of the Council. Trees planted too close to races damaged the banks and the races! when felled by gales, the lifting of the roots tearing out great holes in tbe ground. This bad a very adverse effect on the supply. Under tbe by-laws it wus an offence to plant trees within 10 feet of a race.

Difficulty is- being experienced this year with shortages of water on account of the failure of a number of farmers to clean their races, in view of which Mr Kelly mado an appeal for the utmost co-operation jn this direction, stating that the fullest possible supply would be needed during the hot, dry months ahead. 1