FARMER'S PROTEST

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3289, 16 July 1943, Page 5

FARMER'S PROTEST

NOT FAIRLY TREATED DRAIN ALONG FRONTAGE NOT TO BE CLEANED THIS YEAR _ ) ’ Contending that the board was treating him unfairly this year by not cleaning a section of the roadside drain in front of his property on Hauraki road, Mr R. Flynn of Turua, wrote.as under to Thursday’s meeting of the Hauraki United Drainage Board. «‘I would point out that the section of the roadside drain fronting my property on Hauraki road, being 12 chains from my centre drain to McCowatt’s outlet has not been cleaned by the board this season and I have made application to the board members, Messrs Roy Green and E. B. Hill and cannot get any promise from them that it will be cleaned nor from the board’s foreman or clerk. “ I would point out that for many years past the board has always cleaned this drain and it is an outlet which is very important to my farm as the greater part of my drainage from the farm comes down my centre drain and discharges into this roadside drain. I would also point out that my property has nearly 40 chains frontage to the roadside drain and that the board has cleaned the 12 chains and I have always cleaned the rermaining 28 chains myself. New Drains Required “In these circumstances I consider -that the board is treating me unfairly in not cleaning this section of 12 -chains, more especially that I cannot ■get any further drainage benefit from the No. 1A drain without digging new • and additional drains on my farm to -connect to that drain which I consider I should not have to do.” Mr R. Green said that because the board had cleaned the drain in the past it did not mean that they had i-taken the best course. It was the board’s policy to-day to give the best possible drainage to the biggest area possible. The section in question had good drainage and he did not think that the board should clean out small drains when the farm already had good drainage. He suggested the board inspect the - drain if they considered his decision was not correct. Mr C. K, Fox, the chairman, explained the drainage in the area in question, endorsing the view that there was ample outlet provided. He considered that the board should support ’Mr Green in his decision. Mr Flynn, he added, could clean the 12 chains himself if he considered it supplied him with good drainage. It was only the board’s duty to provide an outlet for each farm. It was decided to endorse the action of Mr Green and to advise Mr Flynn that the board considers he is provided with sufficient outlet.