UNFAIR TREATMENT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4308, 24 July 1950, Page 9

UNFAIR TREATMENT

FARMER’S COMPLAINT

ALLEGATION REFUTED

OHINEMUiRI COUNCIL’S REPLY

The complaint which had been made by L. F. Jones of Komata to the Hauraki Catchment Board alleging unfair treatment at the hands of the Ohinemuri County Council was' discussed at the July meeting of the. council'.

He had been over the area, said the county engineer, Mr L. E. Shaw. A good deal of the water from Mr Jones’ farm was drained out into other farms. Mr Jones was however, said the engineer, entitled to come. assistance as his property was receiving a certain amount of foreign water. It was not correct that the main drpin had been cleaned qnly once in tight years.

A man should be given one outlet for water from his farm. Mr Jones had been given one outlet and that was the undertaking agreed to at the time of the formation of the drainage district, said Cr H. R. Morrison. It was'correct that water from Murray’s through Woods’ property was taken on to Jones’ property. He approved ■oi some assistance being granted Mr Jones to help in cleaning drains but he could not agree that the council should clean and maintain the main drain through Mr Jones’ property. Apparently, said Mr A. F. Thorp, many farmers thought that once a drainage board was formed in their district that the drainage, board should clean all drains. That was not the true position. The farmers had to do some cleaning for themselves. It was pointed wut that if the council accepted the responsibility \ of Cleaning Mr Jones’ drains then ' the council would 'have to clean drains of many other farmers. The complaint alleged that Mr Jones had made repeated requests to the council and had received flat refusals. Mr A. A. Jenkinson, the county clerk, and members expressed surprise at the allegation as they had no knowledge of any request having been made or of any refusal of any request. “Every man would like his drains cleaned by a public body,” declared (Mr Thorp, “but it just could not be done.” The county clerk stated that Mr Jones’ farm comprised 190-odd acres of which I'3o acres were classed as receiving direct benefit from drains and the balance as receiving no benefit His drainage rates were only £l3 odd. Council’s Reply Cr Morrison moved that a reply be sent to the Hauraki Catchment Board to the effect that in view of the fact that Mr Jones had been given two outlets, which the council maintained, the council could not see its way to give any further assistance

to Mr Jones. The motion wa« supported by Cr. Thorp. The clerk was further instructed to advise the catchment board that the council and its members had no record of any complaint alleged to have been made by Mr Janes. The motion was carried unanimously.