MAHUNGA DRAIN PROPOSAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4476, 17 February 1917, Page 2

MAHUNGA DRAIN PROPOSAL.

POLL TO BE TAKEN. Further reference to the Alaimnga drain controversy was made at tne C-ook County Council meeting yesterday when Air J. Brosnahan wrote with reference to the proposed loan. In the course of his letter lie said that the Alahunga Drain a.s vested in the ■ Council ended at Bond's road. The promoters of the loan claimed that they could not spend any of the money in helping in any way to improve the tributary drains. He submitted' that the drains beyond Bond road were all tributary drains and yet the promoters were having a drain deepened and widened out of the loan right up to their boundaries. The drain did not tap anything approaching the amount of rated area that another drain of the same length did, and yet the latter was left entirely to the settlers to deal with at their own expense, and even without legal access to the drain for which all their rates were going. The drain in question also carried water from the inland AVaiapu road so it could not be submitted that the promoters’ drain had any 7 preference to the other further than it happens to be to the promoters’ special benefit. 'I he position was intolerable, the writer said, and a repeal of the act was necessary which enabled such a procedure to be perpetrated under its clauses. He submitted that the present was not an opportune time to burden land with extra expense. Labor also was scarce and by holding over the work until later on a smauer loan would do what the big loan could not do now. It was stated that a deputation of ratepayers waited upon the Council upon this matter and it was decided to deter consideration until the deputation was heard. in tlie aiterm.ou, live ratepayers, headed by Mr Graham, appeared before the Council. _ . ihe Chairman, Mr Lysnar, saw that he understood that the deputation desired to have a poll taken on the question of raising the loan. Tie said the Council was willing to give tlie ratepayers the poll. Air Graham, on behalf of the deputation, said that it desired the wishes at the public meeting at Ormond should be given effect to, which included the taking of a poll on the understanding that legal access should be given to the drain. Air J • Brosnahan, who was present, said that he had nothing further to add to what lie had written in Ins letter. , , , After the d.’putat'on had retired, it was decided, on the motion of Cr. Reynolds, and seconded by the Chairman, .to i.ixo the necessary steps tor taking a pod. ______