THE DRAINAGE BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7864, 20 May 1886, Page 6

THE DRAINAGE BOARD.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —The report of the meeting of the Drainage Board on Tuesday last throws some light on a recent decision of the Board to apply to Parliament for power to enlarge the area of the district. It appears that the Board’s account is overdrawn J 65731, and that a further sum of iSGOOO is required to pay interest due next month. The assets available to meet these amounts consist of outstanding rates to the extent of .£793. We can now understand why the Board is so anxious to extend its boundaries. To quote one of the members, “ the Board had its hands tied. ... It had no more rating and borrowing powers, and it had a debt to pay.” If the clearing of the river Heathcote, which is the plea put forward by the Board for extending its area, benefits land outside the district, by all means let the Eoad Board, or whatever body is interested, be called upon to pay a fair share of the expense (which would be very trifling); but it would be monstrously unjust that a large number of ratepayers should be compelled to pay

interest and sinking fund on a loan expended entirely for the benefit of others. The Board has decided to try and get the desired power insetted in a Bill, authorising it to anticipate its revenue by one year; and, if the .attempted injustice is to he successfully resisted, immediate action must be taken, and the Board should be given to understand that, unless the proposal to alter the district is abandoned, th§ strongest opposition will be offered to the whole Bill.—l am, &c., FAIR PLAT.