Smith v Cawdle Fen, Ely (Cambridge), Commissioners The plaintiff’s lands were in 1937 severely damaged by reason of floods. It was alleged that the damage was due to the failure of the defendants to keep in good repair the drainage works within their area. The main and substantial cause of the flooding was that a bank was too low. It was found that the dykes were kept reasonably clean and that the pumping system was as efficient as the defendants could make it, having regard to the funds at their disposal.