DRAINAGE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 52, 14 February 1912, Page 4

DRAINAGE.

The Hawke's Bay County Council has taken a wise step in deciding to invite the Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board to a conference with regard «.o drainage matters. It is absolutely necessary if Ihe arrangements made for drainage in the district are to work smoothly and efficiently that an agreement should be come io bv the local bodies interested as to the work that each shall undertake. The county has made itself acquainted v. itli the legal position and finds that while certain of the constructed drains may call for its attention the natural water-courses are clearly under the control of the Rivers Board. To avoid fi-ietio-.i ar.d secure the best results for the ratepayers both bodies should come to a thorough understanding. The system of drainage is such tliat unless both natural water courses and drains are kept clear and in good condition the settlers must suffer. It is useless for the council to clear out, drains which discharge into blocked water courses and it is equally unprofitable for the board to clear out streams unless the council assists by keeping drains clear. This is where a conference is needed. The council needs to know what drains it is in duty bound to keep in order, what other drains may be scheduled as private drains, and what water-courses it is necessary for the board to keep properly open to ensure efficient drainage of the district. A.t the present time there is a good deal of guess-work as to the shoulders upon which responsibility lies.