DEEPER DRAINS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 28, 13 November 1947, Page 6

DEEPER DRAINS

Cutting Off Of Water In Upper Areas MR R. D. ROBINSON STATES VIEWS The construction of deep drains im the upper part of the drainage area toi cut the water off there and obviate it soaking down through tihe country in shallow drains was strongly advocated by Mr R. D. candidate for Ashburton. County representation, on the South Canterbury Catchment Board and for the Ashburton Riding seat on the Ashburton County Council, addressing ratepayers in the Eiffelton Hall last evening. While the County Council had been “fishing” for the drainage scheme in the Aehburton-Hinds area, and certain residents had been pressing for it, “it was really started by a party I arranged to go down to Seadown,” claimed Mr Robinson. A newspaper letter written by himself had evoked Mr Semple’s displeasure, the Minister calling him (Mr Robinson) a “sneezing snifflebuster.” Subsequently Mr Semple had come down and promised a drainage scheme before an irrigation •scheme.

A deputation had gone to Wellington at that time, in 1941, at their own expense —he did not see why they should have gone at their own expense, and thought something might still be done about it —and they had secured a promise from Mr Nash and Mr Semple of a £50,000 subsidy, the ratepayers to find an equal amount, said Mr Robinson. Should Not Have to Pay “In my opinion, considering the amount of money being spent on irrigation, we should not have to pay anything on a drainage scheme,” said the -speaker. “I have always been firmly convinced that a drainage scheme would be infinitely more valuable than an irrigation scheme.” After referring to the way in which the Catchment Board was originally formed, Mr Robinson went on to say that the original drainage scheme had been considerably modified. Mr Newnham, chairman of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, was reported to be in entire agreement with the scheme, but it was considerably different now, from the original. “You heard Mr Taylor say on Saturday that if farmers wanted deeper drains - they would have to pay for them,’ said the speaker. “Farmers have offered to pay for them but they did not get deeper drain®.” Mr Robinson instanced cases where farmers . had been prepared to pay appreciable amounts toward the cost of such work, but the Catchment Board had refused to do the work,

On the Seadown scheme deep drains cutting the water off were 99 per cent successful, contended Mr Robinson. “In these upper areas along Boundary Road and over at Lowcliffe deep drains cutting the water off would be much cheaper than carrying it off further down.” On a property at Seadown a deep drain had obviated the need for three and a half miles of _ sub-sidiary drains, stressed the candidate. Mr Robinson urged that these drains should be made deeper now and not in the future when the expense would be greater. Mr Robinson stated that he was in favour of shingle from drains being used on roads provided it. went on in depth and not just a® a few boulders. Secret of Drainage “I think the secret of drainage is to stop water coming down —that is, where you find water, to put it into drains and not allow it: to soak down through all this beautiful country,” declared the speaker.

Mr Robinson said he would like to have seen the Catchment Board vote taken amongst only the ratepayers concerned with the scheme, but as that Avas not possible he suggested as the next best thing that an independent committee should give a full report, so that the public in general would be guided in exercising their vote.

“I said in the WillQwby Hall that I do not think the Catchment Board should be tied down tdo much to a price, but should do a good job,” said Mr Robinson.

In respect of the County Council, Mr Robinson said hei had supported the machinery loan and could not see the wisdom of the vote against it in that district. He also agreed Avith the council’s purchase of the Timvald saleyards, but not Avith how it had been conducted since. “I think a comprehensive scheme must be investigated to renetv those yards.” With regard to the ewe fair, Mr Robinson thought that the agents could have penned their sheep better. He did not think the council should have been criticised on this point.

Up to a point he considered that a very good job had been done on the Ashburton river clearing scheme.

The river rating position had been handled extremely badly, held Mr Robinson. The Borough Council had not had to pay river rates for many years last year being the first time. This could not have been handled Avorse, considering that no rates Avere being received from people securing benefit.

Asked whether he Avould be in favour of the council’s proposed charge of 2s 9d a chain for clearing main races, Mr Robinson said he thought the council should meet the whole charge for such races, Avhich constituted a loss of land to farmers as well as a. danger to stock. Few questions were asked, the meeting closing Aviili a vole oi thanks to Mr Robinson, moved by Mr Latimer, and to Mr J. Cocks, who acted as chairman, moved by Mr Robinson.