NETHERTON DRAINAGE BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5458, 7 August 1929, Page 2

NETHERTON DRAINAGE BOARD.

, (To the Editor.) Sir,—The Netherton v Drainage Board advertises in your paper the striking of rates for 1928-29. The notice states “The valuation roll is open for inspection at Turua.” Why all this mileage ? What is wrong with Netherton, or Paeroa ? The board to carry on the good work must strike rates ; but where is the necessity to go to Turua, miles and miles away. The last meeting of the board was held between Paeroa and Karangahake. Why go to near Karangahake to hold board meetings—don’t they like Paeroa ? Ido not know of any peo/le who long for Turua skyscrapers oi’ mudscrapers. Paeroa is our town, and if any of the board are uncomfortable with Paeroa, then leave the valuation roll at Netherton. Last year I wrote the board's clerk requesting him to be sure of .the area of one of my sections, as nearly onethird of this section was in another board’s area ; and as blocks were in the drains it could only flow towards Awaiti and was subject to the control of the authorities in the other area. My courteous, and, indeed, studied, request received gross treatment. This position is embarrassing, as it involves bother in finding rates for two authorities in the same area, and no area may be worked by two authorities. In the meantime I am reluctantly compelled to withhold payment of the rates, but am in hopes that the board will have satisfied ’its hunger for red tape. I have no doubt that a summons is on the horizon. Would it disclose too much if the valuation roll were deposited locally where we could all see it ? I have a coloured plan showing my drains and the many blocks, the area in Netherton, and the area in Awaiti, prepared by the Lands and Survey Department after I agreed to block my drains. It is signed and witnessed by the district drainage engineer, and can be inspected or will be shown to the board or its clerk, as I have no desire to go to Turua or allow the document out of my possession. It is for the board’s officer to get the facts so that I can settle with the board ; but, like the “Scarlet Pimpernel,” they are hard to find. The much-needed by-laws have received publicity in your paper. It ap pears that Netherton joined other drainage boards in drafting by-laws (a wise step). It is just possible that the Netherton board is making a short-cut, and I doubt very much if it is legal. The board advertises that it has confirmed the said by-laws. The board cannot confirm. A public meeting of the ratepayers is needed to confirm the board’s action, otherwise it is possible that short-cut by-laws are not actionable. THOMAS CONSIDINE.