DRAINAGE BOARD

Press, Volume L, Issue 14972, 20 May 1914, Page 7

DRAINAGE BOARD

YESTERDAY'S MEETING

The Christchurch Drainage Board met last ni«rht, when there were pre>ent—Messrs W. Hill (chairman), H. •'• "otli'.v. F. Storey, J. Richardson. S. C. BiiKTh'nm. F. Hurgoyne, W. J. Walter, H. F. J. Barlow, J. Down, and H. Holland. RATES AND VALUATIONS. The following rates were fixed for tho coining year:— area ... il-16d m the L Ur.Tiii Christchurch l-6d m the £ i(ur:'i -.''ooistosi ... .'i-ied m too .t. Kural Now Brighton l-5d in the £ Rural Spieydon ... l-4d in the £ Ruin! Avon ... 3-Btl in tne £ Ru al Hcathrote ... o-lfid in tho L liural Kiccarton ... 3-Sd in the£ The icrfjuiicment* in connexion with No. 2 iate account (€25,000 loan) were fiKP<l ni £12-:O: with No. 3 rate account : L-J7.-7C.) loan), at CI 130; and with No. rrr.tc aacoiint {£U)2 19s (id loan), at

Air Holland r.sked whether ibe striking of the city, rate could >>■;■ postponed until tin , now valuations were out. The valuator <it jjiojk-iik's wci<- i, f onis up amazingly. a:i*i on those new valuations a <s:nal:cr rate would produce t.u , same a-n;<.>u;it. ']'>,<? tecretary .said that could not be done. 'Ilie chairman said the Hoard could Hoi, vary the amount. The secretary ;aid tliat if there was r.r.y sv.rplu.? it wyuld ao in reduction of :ioxt year's rates. Mr Hurgoyne :ai:l that was-a bad principle to follow. Tlk.-' ch.-ji'-rnan s.ud the Board would hr.ye to strike the rate according to the estimates. Mv Holland said he objected to Chrst:'hurch. being dubbed a highlyrftt;v.] city, ai'.cl a cbnn r -e to reduce the raii'ig- .uhould He taken advantage of. He beik'vo-l 'ha), * he valuations would go m> by thirty per cent. .Mr Oi'»-y ;:si'i it would be absurd to n'.'reps'e the vah;;iii>:n% by that amount. Tbo 'ji-,;|iertv owner?: would not put, up with it. tin! tl.e.e would be many ob-jcr-fio'is to the i;c-v valuations.

The chairman wud bo hnd two properties which he would be only too pleased for the Government io take over n-t 10 per cent, increase on tho new valuations. The secretary stated that the capital value- of the Board's property in Hereford street had been increased from £3~>2() to £471*3. and the unimproved value from £?>•#> to £2140. That worked out- at £32 3s per foot. Thp question of making an objection to the valuation was referred to the Finance Committee. FINANCE. The treasurer reported thai, since tho lust meeting the receipts totalled £10.224 0s 3d. The credit balance was £20y 13i od. The treasurer recommended that the following rates be written off as irrecoverable:—l9o9-10, £27 0s 4d; 1910-11. £'142 os Id; 1911----12, £871 6s 8(1; total, £1040 12s Id. The chairman explained that, it was the duty of the local bodies to collect the rates. If the Drainage Board went short the shortage was added to tho next year's levy. The secretary said the Board had made repeated applications to the various local bodies, but without success. Tho Board decided to write off the first two amounts, and to apply for an explanation from the local bodies relative to the non-payment of tho items making up the third amount. PIPE-LAYING. The engineer reported that the works in connexion with No.. 23 pipe-laying contract were practically complete, and within the extended time granted for tho completion. That, however, did not apply to the electrical pumping machinery. The v tiinfe'for completion was up on the 13th ulfc. He was : informed .that the plant had not yet arrived in the country, nor could he get any information- as to when it would arrive. Meanwhile Messrs Scott Bros;, the contractors, wore, fixing a temporary plant. ■ ■ '*.-■•' The,matter,was referred to the chairman of the. Works and Finance Committee to'deal with. *

The pumping, station % engineer reported that 573,887 tons were pumped during April, as against 563,223 tons last A'psil, an increase of 10,661; , CORRESPONDENCE. The'clerk to the Heathcote County Cpunoil complained of the damage caused to the "Canal Reserve by the jlooding of the same from the outfall drain. •. . , It was resolved to,do the. work necessary, but without prejudice to future claims. " . ■ The Waimairi County Council asked 'the Board to take over the drain in Fendalton known as the Carlton Mill race. ■

Mr Barlow said the old St. Albans Borough Council had diverted the drain when the road was widened.

The letter was referred to tho engineer to report. The secretary of the New Brighton Golf, Club wrote that the club had arranged Avith Mr Cochrane, one of the Board's■desseds, to take - over his lease, provided the Board would grant an extension for ten years from the expiration of the present tenancy. The land comprised some very rough country, and would entail a heavy expense in clearing. Mr" Otley said he would object to the leasing of the land for so long a period. After a short discussion, it was decided that the Board should inspect tho area on May 27th. " Mr B. Moore complained of damage caused to his property by the flushing operations at St. Albans creek. Tho engineer was asked to raako a report on the matter. On'the motion of Mr Walter it was decided to improvo the drain on Breeze's road, provided the adjoining landowners assisted.