THE DRAINAGE QUESTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 140, 12 June 1908, Page 6

THE DRAINAGE QUESTION.

A MATTER OF COST. The question of an equal division of tb». .'ost of boundary drains was a subject vhich came in for considerable discussion it yesterday's conference of delegates Irom the loc-al bodies in the Manukau "ounty. Mr. Hansen (Paparoa) moved that ' The Government be asked to pass legisation to compel neighbouring settlers between whom a boundary drain is necessary, to contribute to the cost of such irain in accordance with the amount of Denefit received by each." He said that ihe question was one which had repeatidly come up for consideration. When a arincr was anxious to drain bis property, md put down a boundary drain, it was ?xtremely unfair that the adjoining ow-! ler should reap the benefit of that drain-1 ige, and stand none of the cost. He ;hought it should be made compulsory bat where a boundary drain was put lown, the cost should be equally divided. Mr. Usher (Pukekohe West) agreed hat it was only fair that the cost should )e fairly allocated. He knew of an intance ii which a loan had been negotited for the purpose of draining a swamp, -nd had the settlers in that case borne he cost between them, it would have been one much more cheaply. Mr. Lang, M.P., pointed! out that the ifficnlty would be to arrive at a fair allottion of the cost, for a boundary drain light give an owner on one side an adantage of 100 acres, while on the other ide it might only touch the fringe of the roperty. The motion was carried. A motion was also passed to the effect :at legal opinion be obtained as to hether a ratepayer can obstruct flood ater from being turned on to his proerty.