19-20.] 



Land Drainage. 



767 



All these powers are subject to various restrictions for the 

 protection of property and other interests, and new works or 

 improvements of existing works can only be carried out after 

 due notice has been published and opportunities given for 

 ratepayers to object. Any such works which would cost over 

 ^1,000, or over £1 per acre of the lands which would be rated 

 for them, can be vetoed by the objections of the owners of one 

 half of such lands. 



To pay for the expenses incurred by a Drainage Board, the 

 Board levies rates on all lands in its district which derive any 

 degree of benefit from its works. Eates for " maintenance " 

 are levied on occupiers, and rates for " new works " or 

 " improvements " fall upon owners. Payment for " new 

 works " or " improvements " is frequently spread over a 

 period not exceeding thirty years. 



No rates can be levied on lands which derive no benefit from 

 the Board's operations, but as there are limits to the amount 

 of sub-division which can be made, it is usual to " pool " 

 expenses to a considerable extent. 



The only kind of Drainage Authority which can be 

 established by the Ministry of Agriculture is that known as an 

 " Elected Drainage Board." 



The first members of the Drainage Board are obliged by 

 statute to be named in the Order which establishes the Board. 

 They only remain in office, however, until an election can be held, 

 which is usually from twelve to eighteen months after the date of 

 the Order. During that time they are mainly engaged in prepar- 

 ing the rate-books and registers of electors, determining the 

 staff required, and beginning such work as may be obviously 

 necessary and urgent. When the first members retire, at 

 least a majority — usually about two-thirds — of the members 

 must be directly elected by the ratepayers (owners and occu- 

 piers) in the several areas which they represent. Thus the 

 policy of the Drainage Board depends upon the views of the 

 electors. A small number of meml)ers are appointed by 

 County Councils or other authorities or corporations who have 

 special interest, and with which it is desirable that the 

 Drainage Board should keep in close touch. 



It has frequently happened that inquiries have been held as 

 to the steps which should be taken to put some river into 

 perfect order, and as to the cost which would be involved. 

 Distinguished engineers have elaborated schemes of works, 

 usually involving very heavy expenditure, and nothing farther 



