THE DRAINAGE ACT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 502, 8 May 1909, Page 6

THE DRAINAGE ACT.

CONFERENCE OF BOARDS. • THE AMENDMENTS DESIRED. (BI TKLIGILAriI—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Palmerston North, May 7. An important conferenco of chairmen of drainage boards to consider suggested amendments in the Drainage Act was held on Thursday afternoon. Mr. Gowor (Moutoa) occupied tho chair, and Messrß. C. Collis (Aorangi), S. Sanson CManawatu), Kendall (Sluggish River), and E. J. • Armstrong (secretary) were also present. The report of tho sub-committee,' consisting of Messrs. H. Greig, S. Sanson, and E.' J, Armstrong, set up by a previous meeting, waa read by tho Becretaiy. The alterations and amendments recommended were as follow: — (1.) Rating on the acreage basis.—Thin system of rating was fully considered, andapproved by the Manawatu, Aorangi, and Sluggish Rrver Drainage Boards in the past.. The adjustability of an acreage basis, on which to. establish an equitable By stem -of charge, is so superior to what is possible on a valuation basis as to need little exposition. Section 31 of tho Act is therefore recommended'for amendment - by-omitting "six farthings in the • pound on ."the rateablo value" and substituting the words 1 'two shillings an acre." All- present considered that tho amendment was a necessary one. (2.) Ratepayers' list.— I This is a redundancy. The ■ Government valuation of lands provides all the machinery required under which the electors' &t could' bO framed. The ratepayers' list 'is Bnnply a copy, and the Act.imposes upon a drainage board the necessity, of considerable expenditure in tho form' of advertiflemonts. Tho repeal of Seotions.6 to 9 is therefore recommended, and a copy of the valuation substituted. ; (3.) By-laws,—lt is recommended that Section 176 of tho Counties Act, 1908, bo incorporated with'Section 50 of the Land Drainage Act, 1908. The Land Drainage Act provides only for regulating tho maintenance of drains and artesian flows. Tho Counties Act, in addition, provides for obstructions to, and interference with, drains, and drainage works, prevents widening and deepening drainage works without consent, prevents trespassing and, generally, provides what' is necessary for the; protection and proper managements' of. drains and drainage. works. The secretary pointed out that county councils, having to undertake drainago work, • had much greater powers raider the Counties , Act than drainage boards nnder the Land Drainage Act, aliSough both bodies had exactly .the same work to, do. . , • (4) It was suggested by Mr. Innes, tho solicitor for two of the lioards interested, that boards should' have power to ercct stop banks on either or both sides of a river or. portion thereof,' and should only bo liable if tne'eon?. Ktruction of sucii work is grossly negligent. The oommittee _ were .of opinion that, this opened' up. a big question. Its operation wonld bo of vast. importance to. all; lands Bordering on, in' proximity to, delta-pro-body, antecedent to undertaking any such the bed and bank endangers the beneficial occupation of land so placed-in an ever-in-creasing ratio, On the other: hand, special injury might accrue to lands unprotected or partially. So it would, therefore, be necessary to safeguard such by requiring a publicbody, antecedent to undertaking any.- such works,',tb produce complete' plans thereof forpublio inspection, and Buch works to be only executed after their advantages and disadvantages had been-oanaiderod before a stipendiary magistrate, who, afterihearmg, shall be satisfied that their: importance is sufficiently extended to iwarrant their execution. It wm decided to , leave tho latter suggestion an open question. ' : Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Gowor seconded, that the recommendations be adopted.— Carried. A deputation, consisting of Messrs. Greig, Armstrong, and Sanson, were appointed to interview.. the Minister; for Internal. Affiairs (Han.< Mr.i<Brido)i..and-Drr ,'Pindlay i (Attor-ney-Genoral) in reference, to: tho. amendments.; Messfß.JNssiMaa; Buiokjvand?.Field-, aro to be invited to introduce the deputation. ..; A ..position ; was revealed'. at, the moetiiig in reference to the statutes govern- ' ing the work of drainage. Many of tho county 'councils havo only to do precisdy tlhe .Game .sort -'of work in . their- districts as -is done by drainage boards in other districts, yet each:body works under an entirely different Act, and, strangely enough, the' legislative machinery at tho disposal of. drainage boards, who do considerably ..more work, is much more ' circumscribed m tho Drainage Act tJian- that at tho. disposal of county counoils under the. Counties Act. The meeting decided, amongst otheT things, to ask that legislation bo introduced during the. approaching session giving drainage boards the same powers as county oouncils by incorporating : in .the - Drainage 'Act ■ those olausea in the Comitiea Act - which refer to drainage'. This instance of legislative carelessness was not the only one revealed at the meeting. The secretary, Mr, E/'J. Armstrong, who is oho of tho best drainage authorities in the Dominion, .brought-to light other matters which .will also be laid before the Minister for Internal Affairs by. a deputation-at ati early date. '