THE OUTER DRAINAGE AREA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12414, 25 July 1902, Page 7

THE OUTER DRAINAGE AREA

PROTKST AGAINST INCLUSION" AT ROSLYN. A meeting of ratepayers residing in tho Smmysido and Linden Wards in the Borough (if Roslyu was held in the Town Hall last evening for the purpose of considering (he inclusion of these wards in tho outer drainago area. Tito Deputy-mayor (Cr L. Kernmiz) occupied (he chair, and (here wore between iO and 40 poisons present. The Chairman said that he had called the meeting, in the absence of tho Mayor (Mr Thomas Mackenzie), for tho purpose of considering the 2d drainage rate. lie wished to state at the outset that the council had no option at all in the matter. The Drainage Board bad the r.ower of donning tho area, and on this area tho rate was struck. Agamst (heir decision (ho local bodies could make no appeal. In tho Roslyn Loroiigh there wore a number of ratepayers who discharged their scwago into tho Kaikorai Valley, and who, it seemed would not he affected hy the scheme. It did not seem fair that they should be a«M to pay for what would not benefit them J lie council had no power to deal with ihe matter, but they thought it right that those who were called on to pay should be consulted in the mailer, and asked what course they intended to suggest. The ratepayers in the other wards bad not been asked to attend because there was somo fairness in their contributing to tho' scheme. The matter of drainage was a very important one, and, personally, he was very pleased that a largo commercial city like Dunedin had undertaken to carry out a system. But be thought some consideration" should bo given to those particular portions not affected. So far ihe board bad not-disclosed any scheme for the. purpose of draining tho city and suburbs. He recognised the difficulties they laboured under, and, for one would be very sorry to hamper (heir opera! (ions in any way, but still ho felt that there WHS ;t certain amount of justice on their side m objecting (o a portion not likely to be affected being included in tho atfi Ihe. Chairman then read several communications regarding the matter, one of which was an opinion from Messrs ILvgitt Bros and Brent, to the effect that the co„n,ii could not appeal against or object to the. area denned by tho heard, and statin." that the act provided that any owner or occupier could appeal to the Supreme Court, and the. decision of (be court would lake Iho place of the decision of tho board. He believed there were several members of the hoard who were m sympathy with them and from wiiat ho knew of them would be willing to assist (hem. He did not think it would be wise to tike the matter to the illipromo Court until the ratepayers interested had approached the board. In the event of tho board refusing to re-define the area the ratepayers could then combine and take tho matter to the court, raising fundi amongst themselves for the purpose, to wlneli the councillors individually would

be glad lo contribute. He pointed out that, whilst the rate was not very large, it would be an annually .recurring one, and' would probably increase. It was therefore woll to take stops at the beginning. Mr J. C. Wilson said that it appeared to him that they were being asked to givo something for nothing. If they were included in the system lie, for one, would be glad to pay. lie thought they should be classed with tho Taicri County Council, for it was this body that would give them an outlet for their drainage. He would move—" That a committee consisting of the councillors of Linden and Sunnyside Wards and Mossrs Ray, Sonntag, and the mover, bo appointed to wait on tho Drainage Board with a view to having the outer drainage area re-defined so that the portions not draining into the city would be exempted, unless it could be shown that thoy were , capable of being benefited." j Mr Stewart seconded tho motion. i Mr Davie moved as an amendment— "That the meeting stand adjourned for a month," as ho thought the motion a inis-

take. It was childish to protest before the board had disclosed it 3 scheme. He, as a member for one of the wards, would not care to act, and asked that his name should bo' taken from the deputation. Considerable discussion took place on the matter, and eventually tho amendment was lost and the motion carried.