I.—sb.

11

W. D. U. McCUHDIE.

16. What is your opinion with regard to there being two different Boards? If there were two different Boards formed to work the two different districts, could they work independently of one another without friction?—A Board for the East and a Board for the West? 17. Yes? —Yes, I think they would get on better that way. 18. You think that would be better than putting them into one Board? —Yes; there is great antagonism between the two. 19. Then, if the people on the East Taieri side wanted a Board, there are sufficient under the Drainage Board Act to arrange for a Board voluntarily? —Yes. 20. You know what was done with regard to the classification on the East Taieri side. Will you give an expression of opinion as to the advantage of the different classifications on the East Taieri side under the A, B, C, and D ratings?—No, I cannot go into that. I can just say that my settlers object to being in the drainage-area at all, because any classification that is in existence now may be knocked on the head and another classification made. We do not want to be liable to be rated at all for drainage, as it cannot possibly do us any good. 21. What class is your land in?—ln different classes. The classification on some of it was altered after the first classification and after the cases were tried; but I am not able to give the details. I got word only yesterday to come here, and I did not have time to get any data to bring with me. 22. You know the land lower down between the river and the road, about Henley and Otokia? —Yes. 23. Is the land on this East Taieri side of the river in any way benefited by anything that is done by the Drainage Board, or that is likely to be done by the Board? —1 do not think so, but there is no scheme before us to go on. I do not know anything that they can do to help them much. 24. That is, the people on the East Taieri side?—rYes. 25. Do you know Christie's land and Palmer's land, on the East Taieri side? —I do not know Christie's land. 26. At all events, what do you think about the land on the East Taieri side?—l think it should better stand by itself. 27. It would not be improved by anything that could be done on the West Taieri side? —No. 28. Is the bank on the west side an advantage to it?—No, it injures it. 29. Then, the drainage scheme would be an advantage to the small area on the East Taieri side shown on the plan ?—Yes, down near the river. 30. And that portion at the upper part?—lt is independent of drainage altogether. 31. The Chairman.] What proportion of your land would be flooded in the highest flood that you know of ?—From the Taieri River 1 32. Yes?—l do not think the Taieri River ever backs up near any of it at all. 33. How long did you live there? —1 lived near it for three years. 34. Perhaps there was not a high flood all that time?— Yes, there were some high Hoods, bbt not near the height that the flood reached eighteen months ago. 35. Did that touch it in any way?— Yes, I believe it touched one corner of the section lowest down by backing the Owhiro Creek. 36. How much did it touch?—l could not give you any particulars. 37. Supposing the other side of the bank had been sufficient to protect them, bow much do you think would have come on your land then? —Supposing the other side had not built any bank at all, it would not have come near it at all. 38. I am asking you what damage you would have received if they had their side properly banked?— They Would receive no damage whatever, because with those floods that come down the Taieri River, supposing they did reach it, they subside so quickly that there is no damage at all. 39. Then, you have nothing to complain of in any way at all? —No, we do not want any drainage at all. 40. You have no objection to them protecting themselves, have you?—No, I have no objection; but I only object to being included in the rating district, or to be liable to be rated. 41. Mr. Anderson.] Do the Dunedin City Corporation tenants have to pay rates?— They will have to pay them in the long-run. We shall lose them when the present leases run out. 42. There is already a bank along the west side, and would a bank along the east side protect you?— Yes; if there was height enough in the banks to force the water down the gorge without allowing it to spread on the plain it would be all right, but it would be so costly that it could not be done. 43. What area do you reckon is affected?—l suppose there are three or four thousand acres, but that is only a rough estimate. 44. Mr. What amount of water on the eastern side pours into the river that has to be carried away? Is there a large catchment-area?—On the eastern side there is a catchment-area of fifty-two square miles, and the total is about 1,800; but that area of fifty-two square miles is a mere fleabite compared with the total of the Taieri River, 1,800 square miles (see tracing). 45. The amount that flows into the river cannot affect it seriously?—No, not seriously. 46. Do you know why this eastern district is included in the drainage-area ?—On account of the low part down near the Taieri River. There is a low portion there that gets flooded. The water backs up from the Taieri and is met by the Silverstream water. 47. Do the settlers on the eastern side object to the inclusion of any portion of their district? —They do not want to be included in the district at all. 48. But those that it will be an advantage to?—No doubt those who would be benefited would be glad to be included in some scheme that would relieve them, but those that cannot get any benefit do not want to be included.