184 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



for, so that every person shall know who owns the land ; and, 

 if a man does not choose to get his deed recorded, he is to 

 take the consequences. 



Question. If he did not know it, can he hold it ? 



Judge Bennett. If he did not know it, he can hold it. 



Question. Then would you be responsible to me for 

 whatever loss I might sustain in being obliged to give it up ? 



Judge Bennett. I don't know as I should, to that extent. 

 It was your folly that you did not get it recorded. 



Question. Have highway surveyors, in opening a water- 

 course for taking off surface water, any right to go on a 

 man's premises in opening the course? 



Judge Bennett. No, sir : I think not. They may turn 

 the water on to him' from the road, and he must take care of 

 it after it gets there. 



Question. If the boundary-line of land is a running 

 stream, and the current changes, what effect does it have 

 upon the original line ? 



Judge Bennett. By our law in Massachusetts, it leaves 

 it just as before. The piece cut off belongs to the same man 

 it did before. There was a case on the Connecticut River 

 a few years ago, where the stream changed, and cut off a 

 piece of a man's land ; and the opposite owner said the cur- 

 rent ran around there, and he was going to have that piece. 

 The Court said, " No : you can't have it." 



Question. If flash-boards are put upon a dam, and the 

 water consequently flows back upon the laud, would the 

 owner of the land have a right to go and knock those flash- 

 boards off? 



Judge Bennett. I think he would, unless it is the case 

 of a mill. 



The Chairman. Gentlemen, the Committee of Arrange- 

 ments have requested Mr. Flint to fill a gap which happens 

 this afternoon, by some remarks upon cattle-husbandry; 

 and, if you will give your attention to Mr. Flint, I think he 

 will interest you. 



