FARMERS TO BE WARNED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 248, 1 August 1946, Page 7

FARMERS TO BE WARNED

INTERFERING WITH WATERCOURSES “I think farmers should realise that if they interefere with water courses they commit an offence against the Soil Conservation Act,” said the chairman of the South Canterbury Catchment Board (Dr. P. R. Woodhouse) at a meeting in Timaru yesterday when referring to certain works contemplated by property owners in the district covered by tile Papaka Stream drainage scheme. When the engineer (Mr G. R. Milward) mentioned the undesirability of private persons carrying out small river works, the Board decided to warn property owners that they must not interfere with water courses without the Board’s permission. “I have learned recently that many of the farmers in the upper part of the Papaka • Stream. watershed have been approaching the local contractor for work to be done on their properties.” said Mr Milward. “I have advised the contractor in question not to carry out any work of straightening the stream without first consulting the Board and also that it would be better if the property owners concerned approached the Board with a request for investigation into the whole water course before attempting to carry out individual work themselves.”

Mr C. Y. Kirke: Some people do not realise that they might be doing' harm to other property ownei’s lower down.