A DEPUTATION.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 16212, 29 September 1924, Page 8

A DEPUTATION.

TO HAURAKI DRAINAGE BOARD

Mr J. A. Robertson waited upon the Hauraki Drainage Board yesterday nr reference to the drainage of his section at the corner of Huirau Road. He said in the autumn of last year, the Board allowed a drain to be dammed which when the bad weather and hoods came, caused 9 to ID inches of water to be diverted all over his section. He was very dissatisfied and considered that as he paid high rates the Board should help him to stop hood-water from getting on to his farm. In fact, he said that unless the Board did something for him, he would pay no more rates and if the Board sued him, he would have his grievances ventilated in the Coyrt. Mr Heappy told Mr Robertson he shouldn’t come to the Board, and talklike that. He would do no good going to Court, as he would still have to pay his rates. Mr Baker said Mr Robertson had not suffered as much as other people, and his request was an unreasonable one. He would like to ask Mr Rbbertson if he had ever put a block with sheets of iron in his front drain ?

Mr Robertson replied he had never blocked the drain, at any rate ho asked was the Board prepared to do something for him He paid more rates than anyone in that area, acre for acre, and he considered he should receive some consideration.

Mr Baker said he would like to point out to Mr Robertson that he had never helped the Board in any way, and would Mr Robertson sign a petition requesting the Board to raise a loan of £SOO to further cope with water in the area.

Mr Robertson replied no, not for 500 pence. He paid quite enough in drainage rates already, and could not pay any more.

The Chairman pointed out that Mr Robertson’s request was unreasonable, and the Board was doing its best with the money at its disposal. Mr Robertson thought the Board should give him an outlet and stopbank three sides of his section. The Chairman intimated to Mr Robertson that his request was ridiculous, and the Board could not entertain it. He considered it would have been better if Mr Robertson would help the Board more.

Mr McMillan thought it would have been better for Mr Robertson if he had come with a reasonable request. All the settlers had suffered very considerably during the last two years, by abnormal floods, and he wn K sure that every member of the Board had suffered more than Mr Robertson. The Chairman informed Mr Robertson tha\t the Board had nothing more to say in the matter anfl Mr Robertson withdrew in a very dissatisfied manner. The Board discussed the matter and considered Mr Robertson’s request an unreasonable one. \ The question as to the Board being liable for the blocking of an abandoned drain was discussed and Mr McMillan moved that the Clerk ascertain the Board’s position as to putting a dam in a drain abandoned by the Board and if the Board is liable, then instructions will be issued to have the blockage removed. This was Mr Mules and carried.. ,