WATER RACES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13956, 16 July 1909, Page 3

WATER RACES.

QUESTION OF MAINTENANCE

At yesterday's meeting of the Geraldine County Council a deputation consisting of Messrs F. R. Fiatinan, senr., K. McKenzie, Flatman junr., and F. R. Charles, waited on.the Council in regard to the question of the maintenance, etc., of the water-races through the now sub-divided Raukapuka estate.

Mr F. R. Flatman, in introducing the deputation said he was present to state that he did not think justice had been dealt out to the Council's ratepayers in the Orari-Waihi water-race district in respect to the water-races on the Raukapuka estate. It was known that the Council had an agreement with Messrs Campbell Bros, with regard to the races running through the property. He considered that the Council had been unfair in allowing extensions and the giving of water outside the water-race district, and the result was that the ratepayers had to pay a heavier water rate to help make up for this. Instead of the water rate being 2d per acre, it was now sd, and that was undoubtedly a heavy rate. He would not object to water being given to owners and occupiers in this manner, so long as the rates were npt increased, but the Council did not do that. No other water-race district taxed the ratepayers so heavily. On his son's farm of 70 acres there had never been a drop of water. He decidedly objected to others being supplied with water at the expense of the ratepayers in the district. A certain, ratepayer had gone away owing £26 in rates, and Mr Flatman wanted to know why this man had not been' sued for the amount owing. Speaking for himself. Mr Flatman said that he had put men on to clean out the. races. He maintained that the races were as bad to-dav as ever they were. He did not wish "to be unfair to the Council; all he wanted was justice. He understood that Camnbell Bros, wero still responsible for the races. At the present time the Messrs Campbell had not sixpennyworth of interest in the estate; it was all sold. . , The chairman (Mr Dennistoun) said it seemed to be a question for a lawyer to decide. As a layman, lie thought that Mr Campbell had no authority to distribute water amongst the smaller settlers. He was only giving his views as a layman, and could not sneak definitely on the point. Mr G W. Armitage said that Mr Hav's opinion as given to the Council was that under the. agreement between the Council and Campbell Bros, the Council was not affected by the sale of the property. ' ' * Mr Flatman stated that the .waterraces had been enlarged to carry the water through Raukapuka. Mr B. R. Macdonald said that the idea of forcing the water wasjiot out of consideration for Campbell Bros, at all. This had been thrown up to the Council, but it was not right. Mr R McKenzie considered that the agreement looked all right on paper, but it could not be so in- actual practice The Messrs Campbell were only supposed to get the surplus water. The difficulty arose through the -surplus water not going far enough - In ins opinion it would be better it the d.strict formed a committee the same as was done before. Mr Armitage: Did it not come before the Council and was thrown out? Mr Flatman said that all other districts had committees, but Orari-Waihi had been left out. Mr Flatman, junr., said that when the Campbell's sold out he considered that agreements ended. The deputation had advice 1 from firms in Christchurch, which gave a different view from that taken by Mr Hay. Tlie-chairman, while putting a good deal of faith in their own "solicitor, Mr /Hay, was quite prepared to state that lawyer wore not infallible. Mr Flatman, senr., said that to show how dissatisfied the ratepayers were, a petition had been got up and he presented it to the House, and, it was referred to the Petitions Committee for consideration.

Mr Armitage then moved that the necessary steps he taken to set up/a Water-race Committee for the Orariwnter suply district.

Mr Metcalf supported the views of the other Councillors and seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr F. R. Flatman hoped that the. Coi'ricil and Committee would work we" together.

Mr Macdonald: Quite so. We alw.iys do.

On hchalf of the dnoutat'O". Mr Fbtimn thanks and the denutation withdrew.