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<br />knowing we had no authority to settle it, nevertheless
<br />we thought it an act of courtesy at least, to make one
<br />more attempt.
<br />One prominent feature for damage to the property
<br />of Mr. Tower, was the perpetual lien, which the
<br />drainage act entailed, by giving the right to enter
<br />upon, and perform such duties as necessity might
<br />require ; when the award of $130, was made, the act
<br />was supposed to be legal, and the right to enter upon
<br />the premises was considered in the award. By the
<br />Drainage Act not being legal the lien or incum-
<br />brance was removed, we finally concluded to make Mr.
<br />Tower through his counsel an offer of $13o, which we
<br />believed was by the removal of the incumbrance equi-
<br />valent to an offer of $300, this offer was not entertained,
<br />therefore the case is entered in Court for trial.
<br />We believe if ever the town had an occasion for con-
<br />gratulation it was when the Drainage Act was declared
<br />illegal ; if the decision had been otherwise, a difficult
<br />and disagreeable duty liable at any time to be performed
<br />would have been perpetually entailed upon the town.
<br />The estates of Messrs. Foster, Mokely, Prosser and
<br />others, have the past season been troubled with water
<br />more than ever before ; if the act had remained in force
<br />as it contemplated, then the owners of the meadows
<br />or the abettors, could have notified the Selectmen, if
<br />there was any obstruction to the water running,and it
<br />was their duty to remove whatever obstacle might be
<br />checking its course. Now the town is relieved from
<br />the performance of this duty,and those who might
<br />have had relief from the town in. case of need, can now
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<br />have the pleasure of regretting the loss of an oppor-
<br />tunity rejected.
<br />Expenditures under the Drainage Act, and to whom
<br />paid .
<br />Labor in 1873-4, $4,722 17
<br />Charles Hudson, 87 5o
<br />H. Holmes, 18 oo
<br />0. P. Mills, . 20 00
<br />D. A. Tuttle, 22 00
<br />James Gould, to 00
<br />Paid for Culverts, 747 99
<br />Labor in 1874, 179 25
<br />G. A. Soinerby in 2874, - - too oo
<br />D. W. Muzzey, 30 00
<br />G. A. Somerby, 1875, . 172 00
<br />Charles Hudson, t876, 48 00
<br />Eli Simonds, 23 6o
<br />J. R. Carter, 42 5o
<br />County Commissioners, 6o 00
<br />Joshua Hobart, 4 20
<br />G. A. Somerby, 1877, . 681 45
<br />Charles Hudson, 34 00
<br />lidd's suit, 1878, 910 44
<br />Total, .
<br />LAWSUTFS.
<br />$7,913 10
<br />It is with regret that the announcement cannot be
<br />made of a final adjustment of all claims arising under
<br />the Drainage Act. A little more than a year ago, we
<br />were repeatedly desired to endeavor to effect a settle-
<br />ment of demands and suits at law, which had been
<br />commenced, and if possible check the expenditures
<br />which they were involving.
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