swamping of lands

GOLDEN GROVE AND NABACLIS
The Secretary read lengthy correspondence with reference to the swamping of lands, which had been planted with rice aback of the village. It appeared that some men had started to plant rice between the backdam and the service canal but they did so at their own risk, as they could not get drainage.
In order to save these lands during the recent rains some person had taken away the koker door and spindle from the Company’s Canal in order that the water from the interior might be drained off, but as this caused the water to run into the navigation trench the village was in danger of submersion.
Mr. Murdoch asked if the people had any general or undivided right to the lands on which they had planted the rice.
The Secretary said he did not think they had.
Mr. Murdoch said it was a serious matter that the koker door should be taken away in such a manner, and he thought these rice-growers should satisfy the Village Council that they were prepared to make arrangements for their drainage if they were to be allowed to stay.
It was agreed that the Council should be informed that if the persons complained of did not desist from planting, until they were able to make proper arrangements for drainage, they (the Council) should take steps to treat them as trespassers.
SOURCE: Central Board of Health - The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana. Tuesday, August 10, 1897: page 3 column 4.