WATER-RACE CLEANING.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9991, 22 March 1898, Page 6

WATER-RACE CLEANING.

TO THK EDITOR OF THUS FXESS. Sib, —A case relating to the above came before the Court, at Darfield on March Bth, particulars of which, for some occult reason, have not come heiore the public through the Press. The particulars of the case may be of considerable interest to farmers using the water-races under the control and superintendaneg of the Selwyn County CounciL Two farmers, after thoroughly cleaning their rages, were called upon by the Water Banger to go over them a second time, which was Cheerfully complied with. A third notice was served by an overseer, with a threat'that if not cleaned forthwjfch cloning "would be done at their expense.-'The'farmers, seeing there -was no chance whatever of satisfying the absurd demands of the official of the County Council, " declined," for the very good reason that nothing more could be done.

.These 'two fanners were also charged, and one of them fined, for a breach of the byl*w No. tl for rtot having their races finished cleaning on October 31st, in accordance with printed ootice» • issued; The- facts are as fellows:—Not one ratepayer in five complied or .took any notice of that order. •Many -miles bl races in the district are yearly cleaned under the direct control and superintendence' and by the hired men of the County Council, but were not cleaned at above date, miles of them never started on. The Selwyn Cooctjr Council will perhaps be able to explain or give their reasons for such arbitrary proceedings,—Yours, &c., L.S.D.