SILTING UP STREAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 242, 6 October 1908, Page 4

SILTING UP STREAMS.

■A rather important matter was before t'hc Taranaki County Council yesterday in a letter from -Mr. »l. I>. Koy. county solicitor. who wrote: " I havo b<vu to advise upon tli** following matter: ' In a great many parts of tlic comity Hie natural watercourses over tlie road crosses are silling up, thereby obstructing tile live llow <■! the wal.-r ami damming the same back on the road. This will put the Council to considerable cost in raising tik'se fillings po as to keep the road above the water level.' Tile question for my opiTiion is: 'Can th« Council compel the owners of the land through which the natural watercourse Hows to keep tiie watercourse free of silt and debris. *,q as not to impede the llow of water?' In reply I have to advise that tiie owner or occupier of any laud through which a natural watercourse , lloiws cannot be compelled in kec-p t lie watercour.se free from the silt cr debris wliicJi usually conies down stream, but he may he liable for any damage winch may be caused by his discharging ifebris or negligently allowing the same to be discharged into the watercourse. On your specilie quest ion I have to advice that the Council has no remedy against tiie owners or occupiers."