TAIEKI DRAINAGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2855, 2 December 1908, Page 65

TAIEKI DRAINAGE.

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS. A large and representative gathering of farmers of the Owhiro and Silverstream Riding 6 was held in Mosgiel on Saturday night to discuss the proposal to have these two ridings excluded from the Taieri drainage area. Messrs D. Reid, jun., and T. Mackenzie. M.P., were present by invitation. Mr Reid fully explained how and when the Taieri .Drainage Bill passed tluough the successive stag-es in Parliament, and stated that there was some misapprehension as to the petition which waa sent up to Wellington from farmers on theoast side of the Taieri River objecting to the bill. This was, he explained, put before the Lancta Committee, and he fully agreed with Mr Mackenzie in stating that those objector* should have had an opportunity.of being heard by the House before the bill became law. Mr Mackenzie also addressed the meeting, and stated that the bill should have been a local one, and not a Government measure. He would do everything in his power to further the interests of-^those he represented. One speaker staled that h& did not object so much to the drainage area as to the classification which he believed should not have been made until after ths most careful survey of the district had been completed The gentlemen wijo were appointed at the previous meeting to canvass -the above-mentioned ridings reported that so far only scane nine persons had not signed the petition to have the east side of the Taieri River cut out entirely from the operation of the Drainage Bill. Of those who refused to sign, several were tenants with only on-e or two years' lease to run. From expressions made during the meeting it v. oulc! seem that nothing will be left undone to secure redress from the con> te'iiplated taxation. which could and would- nor in any way benefit those who feel ag^'iieved by its imposition. i