MOUTOA DRAINAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3768, 25 June 1907, Page 2

MOUTOA DRAINAGE.

To the Kdilor. Sir,— We have read your lucid and comprehensive report of a meeting of the Moutoa settlers held at Foxton on the 20th inst., for the purpose of considering the best means of dealing with the flood water in the Moutoa district, and note particularly that reference was made to the large owners in the district, and also the statement by the Chairman that these large owners must be brought into line. Now, sir, with respect to this all important question of drainage, assuming that we are the large owners referred to, we do not require to be brought into line but we are just as desirous that a proper system of drainage shall be defined as are all or any of the settlers in the Moutoa district. In order to show that such is the case, we desire to say, in the first place, that as there are now competent engineers employed by, and at the expense of the Government, for the purpose of aking levels and preparing a comprehensive report upon the whole question of draining the lowlying areas of the Manawatu and Oroua Rivers, we rightly or wrongly consider it advisable to have the benefit of the report to be produced before taking any decisive steps, other than to obtain the fullest professional information on this all-important subject. With that end in view, we had several weeks since consulted Mr Braekel, the engineer, formerly employed by the Makurirua Land Company, on our own private account, as to whether he would be at liberty to proceed with the work of taking the levels, and believing that, in view of the Government Engineer’s report not yet being ready, we deemed it better to wait until such report was near completion before instructing Mr Braekel to proceed with the work on our portion of the Moutoa, comprising about 5,000 acres, but as it is now possible that Mr Braekel may be able to obtain some valuable data from the work already done by the Government Engineer, thus assisting him to deal with the question more expeditiously than he otherwise might do, we have written to Mr Braekel on our own private account, requesting him to come at the earliest possible date and take complete levels of the 5000 acres to which we refer. This we purpose doing at our own private expense. We have already on our portion of the Moutoa estate very large outlet drains, which may or may not be sufficient for the proper drainage of the lower portion of the land. Should we be advised by our Engineer that the drains which already exist are the best means of outlet for the water, we shall accordingly act upon his advice, and continue to drain our land in accordance with his view of the project. On the other baud, should it be considered by him that the Government drains, or any other drain in the locality, would be the better outlet then we will be prepared to pay our full contribution pro rata, towards the improving of the Government drain, or the making of any other drain which may be deemed necessary, and will, with pleasure, join in . any comprehensive scheme, which, alter having had the professional opinion referred to, may be considered advisable. With respect to the subject of the proposed stop-bank, near the river, and the obtaining of a legal opinion as to the power or otherwise which the settlers may have to erect such stop-bank, we are also prepared to pay our pro rata contribution towards obtaining such legal opinion. We desire, however, to suggest that great caution should be exercised before acting upon the individual opinion of any solicitor, as we believe that the law with regard to this important question is so indefinite that it would be better were the settlers to have the question determined by having a case stated and fully argued before the Supreme Court, whose decision would be definite, and so obviate the risk of having conflicting opinions by other solicitors put forward, which would ultimately necessitate a Supreme Court action, and perhaps involve the parties in protracted litigation. Should the opinion of the judges be adverse to the project of erecting a stop-bank, then it would be necessary to approach the Government for the purpose of having the necessary legislation passed in order to definitely settle this important question, and so obviate expensive litigation which might otherwise happen. With respect to our non-attendance at the meeting, we desire to point out that the convener of the meeting, Mr Gower, and our Mr Easton, had a conversation on the subject of the meeting, when Mr Easton undei> stood that the meeting was to be held at the Post Office Hotel, on Wednesday, instead of at the Council Chambers, on Thursday, as was the case. It was solely on account of this change having been made, and without Mr Easton having been notified of the intention of change of the place of meeting, that he was absent, andhiot because our firm have no desire to join in this great and most necessary undertaking. With regard to Mr Carter’s statement to the effect that the drains on the Moutoa estate were in a worse condition now, than when Mr Caverhill managed the estate for, the Assets Realisation Board, we desire to say that with all due respect to Mr Carter’s opinion, he is absolutely mistaken, as, during the short period lor which we have owned the estate w® have expended in making fresh drains and cleaning out the existing drains a sum of one thousI 'i-V ■' - - 1

and three hundred and twenty pounds twelve shillings and ninepence and this large expenditure '•* was occasioned by reason of the fact that we have had to pay for cleaning out large drains, which had not been cleaned for at least ten years previously, and if Mr Carter has inspected the drains on Moutoa, then it would have been better that he should have made a complete inspection by asking that one of our firm might have accompanied him over the property so that he could have been shown that which he evidently has not seen, namely, the drains which have been cleaned out and the flood gates which have been constructed and repaired by us. Slip-shod statements with respect to statements of this kind are misleading, and tend to cause irritation which otherwise should not exist. Any of our neighbours who are desirous of learning the true facts of the case with respect to what we have done in the matter of drainage can do so bv applying to our Mr Easton, who will always feel it a pleasure to accompany any person over the estate, and give him the fullest and most accurate information with regard to the question. In conclusion, we wish the Moutoa settlers to understand that we f hold but one opinion, namely, that I of having the drainage question \ dealt with in the most comprehensive and friendly manner possible, thus avoiding the unfortunate friction which appears to exist in the minds of some few who have not considered it necessary to discuss the matter in a friendly and neighbourly way; We therefore trust that all parties concerned will forget the mistakes of the past, and join heartily as one body in order to effect the great purpose which we are all so anxious to achieve, namely, that of improving and increasing the productiveness of the lands of the Moutoa district—Yours, etc., Stevens, Easton & Austin;