CONSTRUCTION OF A DRAIN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3294, 12 August 1911, Page 8

CONSTRUCTION OF A DRAIN.

PROTEST BY PROPERTY OWNERS.

COUNTY ENGINEER’S PROPOSAL

The question' of making an outlet for the de Lautour Road drain through Messrs Townley’s and Cuthbert’s properties was considered by the Cook County Council yesterday. A petition w r as received from a number of ratepayers in the vicinity asking the Council to adhere to the proposals submitted by the Engineer and drain the water through the property. Messrs Cuthbert and Townley waited on the Council in regard to the matter. “I suppose it is the same old matter yon have come to see us about,” remarked the Chairman. “Almost perennial,” he added. Mr. Cuthbert said it was, and proceeded to detail out the various objections they had to the drain being taken through their property. He wanted to know if the Engineer admitted certain facts in regard to the drain. Mr. Matthews pointed out that Mr. Cuthbert was' there to nut his objections before the Council, and not to question the Engineer. Mr. Cuthbert said he wanted certain measurements from the Engineer to complete his argument against the drain 'being put through his property. The Chairman: I don’t 'know' them. If we damage your property we will pay for it. We do not want you here as an amateur engineer, and we pay no attention to you when you deal with engineering matters. Mr. Cuthbert: We instructed Mr. King, an engineer, to make a report on the matter, and it is his opinion I want to give you. The Chairman: We don’t want Mr. King’s report when w T e have a paid engineer. The question bods itself down to this: If the Council have made a mistake they wdl have to pay. We accept that position to the fullest extent.

Mr. Cuthbert pointed out that it was better for him to stop the drain now than to get damages afterwards. The Chairman: We are standing by our own engineer, and will have to pay the piper accordingly if he has made a mistake, which I don’t think he has. We take- the ipse dixit of the'Engineer. Mr. Cuthbert: Here is a report of an engineer, and if you refuse it I cannot do anything more. The" Chairman: I think it is useless. We have given you as much time as possible. ■ Mr. Townley said he thought it would prove more costly in the long run. The deputation then withdrew. It was decided, on the motion of Cr. Matthews, that the Engineer's proposal be given effect to, provided that a special rating district be made to provide interest and sinking fund sufficient to acquire a strip of land a chain wide to complete the work to the river.