ELLESMERE LAND DRAINAGE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 334, 4 March 1915, Page 3

ELLESMERE LAND DRAINAGE.

CONFERENCE OF COUNTIES. At the conference held yesterday of delegates from the counties abutting on Lake Ellesmere to discuss the powers and duties of the Lake Ellesmere Land Drainage Board and the counties in the matter of clearing out drains, there was much discussion, but matters were left in much the same position as before. It was stated that the Drainage Board's sole duty as at present constituted was to keep open the outlet from the lake. The counties which came within the Drainage Board rating area had obtained legal opinions which stated that in clearing the land drains with their own money they were illegally expending it, that being the duty of the board which collected rates for the purpose.

It was suggested that the board should extend its area so as to take over all the land drains emptying into the lake, but Several delegates objected to this on the ground that the counties were better able to take control of the drains, and if the board took them over it would mean more rates. Mr J. Cunningham, representing Ellesmere County, was of opinion that, by means of special rates, those settlers whose lands directly benefited by the drains should pay the cost of cleaning. He was against extension of the board's province.

Eventually Mr Patterson, seconded by Mr Stoddart, moved:—"That, in the opinion of this meeting of representatives of County Councils interested, the Ellesmere Land Drainage Board take over the responsibilities enjoined upon it by Act of Parliament." Objection was made to the motion on the ground that the board was already undertaking such responsibilities. The motion was lost.

Mr J. Cunningham tlion moved: — "That the Act be amended to provide that the area under the jurisdiction of the Ellesmere Land Drainage Board should be up to high-water mark of the lake; that the board should keep clear the drains in that area, and keep the lake outlet open." This motion was also lost, and eventually the following motion, moved by Mr Gilmore (Halswell) was put and carried:—"That it be a recommendation to the board to have the Act amended ao as to allow the board to exercise the function for which it was originally constituted, to keep the river clean and the oufclofc of the lake open."