ROAD BOARDS AND RIVERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2800, 13 September 1883, Page 3

ROAD BOARDS AND RIVERS.

TO THB BDITOB OP THK TIMiBIT HBEAI.D. Sib, — Would you kindly answer the following question! m your paper : — Ist. In the event of a river running itce'f out, and tbe water overflown, to the damage of private property, are the Bond Boards compelled by the Act to remove the impediments whioh prerent the river from flowing m ihe usual course P 2nd. In the event of the Board neglecting to remore the impedimenta above spoken of, can the work be done by the owners of property whose land has been injured by the encroaohmenta of the river, and would t'n" Bcird be liable for the expanse »o incurro 1 t My reason for asking these question* ia th»t sines the last flood ia May a portion of my land, adjoining tbe Waihi river, hns been considerably damaged by tbe overflowing of the river, caused by the debris having blocked up ite bed until the waters hive overflowed. I have frequently written to the Board, but though they have promised to attend to the matter, they have as yet taken no steps to remedy the evil. Not only myself but others are suffering from the same cause, one owner of land having nearly six chains of soil washed »way by the river m forming a new wa'oroourse, while the encroachments extend to a distance of two miles and a half. So yeu will tee that thie is not only a private but a puhlio grievance, and one affecting the interests of settlers of the whole of Canterbury. I am, Ac A Batbpaybr of thb Gkealdike Road Boabs. Qeraldine Road, September Btli, 1833. [We do not think the Eoad Board are bound to repair river damage, or liablo for the expense of removing silt from natnral watercourses.—Ed. T.H.I