COMPENSATION COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 12768, 22 March 1906, Page 5

COMPENSATION COURT.

THE MOMONA CLAIMS. ’ (Before J. F. Woodbouse, Esq., Arbitrator.) The hearing of the claim of James Co hi mb v. the Otakia Drtiinage Board was resumed at the Mosgiel Courthouse this morning. Mr J. F. M. Fraser appeared for the claimant, Mr J. C. Stephens on behalf of the School Commissioners, and Mr John MacGregor for the defendant Board. Latham Osborne Beal, further crossexamined by Mr Fraser—Assuming in flood-time the height of the water to be five inches below the level of the dam,' there would be three inches depth of water flowing through the by-wash" The width of water flowing out over Moynihan’g land would be dbout sixteen chains. He did not, at the time of Ids visit to the locality, consider it necessary to calculate the flow at the by-wash. To determine the main velocity of the water in the cross-cut he had used a formula from Molesworth, the 1902 edition, after Comparing it with the 1905 edition. In respect te Cotter, no found he made his quantities larger. His investigations over the district in conjunction with Mr Hay occupied one day or more—he could say exactly. He would not swear positively that they went to the clam, but oo was certain that they went right down io the southern boundary of the Otakia district. Mr Hay was opposed to the retention of the dam for some reasons, and in favor of it for others. Mr Hay held that if the dam were Removed provision must be made for ,the water. They did not. discuss the point regarding the retention of the dam, presuming no provision were made for the water. Witness made a suggestion to Mr Hay for the conduct of the water through the old channel, in order that the dam might then be removed. The stumbling-block being then cleared away an end would be ptlt to the quarrelling. Mr Hay Approved of the idea. In conference with Mr Hay witness expressed himself in favor of the- dam as it existed unless provision was made for the water. _ The question of the raising of the Ham did not come into their consideration at the time. Had he known it was intended to raise the dam he would have still been in favor of its retention. Seeing what was going on in West Taieri, he considered the raising of the dam necessary as the effect of the West Taieri drainage works would protect land in the West Taieri district that was covered with water in time of flood, and that the flood water would be passed down quicker. It was necessary to raise the lower part of the dam. and so divert the water; also to preclude the possibility of an overflow of flood water. He knew" that Messrs Gibson and Sounness, with their local knowledge, considered the dam necessary in order to protect the low-lying area below the dam.

Ho understood from the Otakia Board, when taking; his instructions, that he had a free hand—they left the matter entirely to him. They did not reject kis advice. To Mr Stephens: Assuming Hie water overflowed the dam./ the contour and depth of the dam would affect the escape of water. 'The thinner the lip the greater the velocity. The velocity would entirely depend on the depth of water. [At this stage the witness was requested to make certain hydraulic calculations, further proceedings being suspended to allow him to do so, Mir Beal explaining that it would take a .long time for him to work out his figures.] (Left sitting.)