DRAIN WANTED.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 262, 15 November 1928, Page 3

DRAIN WANTED.

SETTLERS’ TROUBLES. On Arapuni Road.

Messrs. A. R. Vosper, Kells and Anderson, settlers on the Arapuni road, Putaruru riding, waited on the Matamata County Council on Friday with reference to the swamp which runs through their properties. Mr. Vosper stated they had come along to get information and assistance. They had that day seen the report by the drainage engineer, and while the burden would be heavy he supposed it would have to he borne. The town board had opened up their drains and the water was never worse than it was now. The swamp was a breeding ground for mosquitoes and frogs, and he wondered the Health Department had not reported it. The swamp affected all their frontage and he hoped they would get sympathetic consideration. Cr. Darby stated that if anything could be done, it should be, but it depended ~n the cost the owners were prepared to shoulder. The chairman stated that little could be done until they had an estimate of the cost. The engineer pointed out that maintenance was the chief problem. It would be no use making the drain if no provision was made for maintenance. Mr. Vosper stated that the town board was doing good work, but it was creating more trouble for them, and he thought they might contribute. Cr.'Rollett: Can they come on the board ? The engineer: Well, the engineer says they don’t benefit; they are up in the air. Cr. Rollett: Then boiled down, the cost falls on these owners. The engineer stated it would be a pity to raise a loan owing to the cost. In any case it would be made a shortdated loan. i After some further discussion it 1 was decided that the settlers confer I amongst themselves with the idea of I constructing a new drain and coming to an agreement with the council with a view to a rate being collected to defray the cost of maintenance.