LAND DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4422, 2 June 1922, Page 4

LAND DRAINAGE.

NEW ZEALAND AND AMERICA. MR. J. B. THOMPSON’S REPORT. No. 2. THE DRAINAGE MOVEMENT. The benefits and results attending the drainage of flooded and swampy lands in both Canada and the United States of America, have opened the eyes of the public and authorities co the great potential value of the stillundeveloped areas, and a strong, and insistent movement has been on. foot for the systematic attack of all projects which appear on examination, to be practicable. Canada.—Provincial aid has been enlisted in Canada, apd several of the provinces have —like Manitoba, for instance —enacted legislation in the direction of land drainage. Under the enactment the Provincial Government undertakes the work, apd issues debentures, and may also invest certain moneys in the same. Repayment is spread over terms of from twenty to thirty-five years. The Dominion Government has also a Department which controls- certain areas throughout, and prepares them for settlement. ® United States of America.—At present there is no State or Federal aid, as in Canada, but certain States have (enacted legal machinery in the interests of landowners. This legislation varies somewhat in each State,'but is generally on the lines of our own Land Drainage Act, 1908. The Federal Government has under the Department of Agriculture a most v'aluable branch of drainage investiga-

tions. Its functions arenas its title indicates,-to explore every aspect of drainage of). wet areas, surveys, hydraulics, soil surveys, schemes, and the financial and costs side. This brancn 'of drainage investigations is most valuable, and although it does no actual construction work, yet Jt covers all schemes in progress, carries on experiments thereon, issues bulletins, and advises engineers ani the general public as to best procedure, practice, etc. Its publicity department is proving most valuable, and it much sought. Public agitation is now directed towards gaining- State aid in the various projects of the future, as it is held that the State is equally concerned with the individual in the advancement and increased productiveness of the country. Again, many projects are too larjge for the successful financing and carrying-out of operations without State assistance. LEGAL MACHINERY : DRAINAGE DISTRICTS. . , '• Petitions. —In both Canada and the United States the procedure is muca the same as in New Zealand. Al! pettiions for forming drainage districts in Canada must be signed by a majority of the landowners ; while, in the United States if varies .in different States, • some requiring the petition to be signed, by a majority of the landowners, others by the owners of a majority o£ acres, apd in some instances a petition signed by three landowners is sufficient, Objections.—The usual machinery for hearing objections is much, as laid down in our own Land Drainage Act, Classification. —Great care is taken

in this connection, and every endeavour made to assess the benefits likely to accrue. Classification varies -from an acreage basis to, s.ay, five different classes of benefits. lit some States the various highways, railroads, etc., may be assessed for likely benefits.

I Finance. —This may be effected In 1 several ways: (1) By issue of pro- ’ vincial debentures (as in Canada) ; (2) each landowner pays his share of cost in cash, in advance of construction ; (3) by the issue o,f certificates.; I (4) by the issue of bonds. Of. these, 1 (1) and (4) are the most practicable 1 and in general flavour.

The Canadian debentures have a currency of not less than twenty nor more than thirty-five years. In the United States the bonds usually extend over ’a period of from ten to twenty years; but it should be noted that these represent private issues.

Comparison.—Comparative analyses of the several Land Drainage Abts in the United States with the New Zealand Drainage Act, 1908, shows the latter to be much in accord, but it does no.t offer the same variety of classification.

Considering the Abt respecting land drainage of Manitoba, it is found similar in many respects to the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, of New Zealand, but the latter has several features much in 'advance of the former as regards resumption of lands', construction of roads, etc. In fact, the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, has several features which appealed strongly to the authorities in Canada and the United States, and copies are desired by those advocating State assistance.