CAMBRIDGE ROAD BOARD.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 450, 20 June 1899, Page 4

CAMBRIDGE ROAD BOARD.

A meeting o: the above Board was held iu the Public Hall, Cambridge on Saturday at 3 p.m. There were present: Messrs J. Taylor (chairman), Thomas, Edson, Butler and May. Mr Seljby's Drain.—Mr Wm. Selby of Hautapu wrote on 23rd May. In May of last year I wrote a letter to your Board requesting it to clean out, define and fence one side of the public drain, (I have erected a substantial fence on the other) running through lots 68 and 70, to which your Board replied, thatasa Drainage Board would shortly be conctituted and gazetted, I should communicate with it, as being the proper body. Up to the present the Drainage Board has not shown any disposition to take over the public drain, nor has it notified me of its intention to do so, as the tenders called for did not include any part of it, that is through 68 or 70. It therefore is quite possible _ that it may not require to make use of it all, at any rate it cannot interfere with any highway road, etc., without eiving the local authorities (in this case the Cambridge Koad Board) our month's notice, and then can only do so provided the local authority offers no objection. Under these circumstances I am compelled; to give your Board notice that I shall hold it still responsible for any damage that may be done to my farm, resulting from your neglect to keep the public drain running through lots 68 and 70 and lower down in proper condition to carry off all surface and storm water.— The Clerk said the Drainage Board took over all the drains as soon as it was gazetted. Mr Thomas did not agree with that statement. He contended the Drainage Board had not yet taken over any drains from the Road Hoard, and he thought they should be cleaned out before they were taken over.—Mr Butler asked if the Board had received notice that the Drainage Board intended crossing the road with the new drain.—The Clerk said ro notice had been received. - Mr Butler said the Drainage Board hud then acted illegally for it had broken into the drain upon the road.—Mr Thomas said that was the contractor; the Board had not authorised his doing mj.—Mr Butler moved that the Board subsidise the Drainage Board to the extent of £lO, provided it indemnifies the Road Board from all further liability in the matter.—Mr Selby, who was present and addressed the Board, said he had been put off from time to time about the drain running through his land. Last j ear he was told the Drainage Foard would shortly be formed, and then he would be fully satisfied. He assured the Board he did not intend being put off any longer. The Magistrate had declared the drain to be a public one, and lie wanted it defined, fenced and cleaned ; and if *he Board would not do it he should take steps to compel them to do so. After some further discus-don Mr Selby retired, and the Board decided to clean out the drain through Messrs Selby and Cowling's lands, and :l sked the Drainage Board to hurry up and take over the drains.—lt w-s resolved to call tenders for the work, returnable on Saturday next. Works. Messrs Tebb3 to let their contracts on