DRAINAGE BOARD.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16266, 17 July 1918, Page 2

DRAINAGE BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Drainage Board met last night. Pr®-gent-—Messrs Walter Hill (chairman), F. Burgoyne, J. W. Beanland, S. C. Bingham, C. Hill, J. Down, H. Langford, W. J. Walter, S. A.-Staples, H. J. Otley, and H. Holland. An apology for the absence of Mr F. Storey was made. The secretary presented the accounts for the year ended Maxell 31st, and the financial statement* for the same period. In accordance with the requirements of the statute, the accounts were adopted. Tho engineer reported,- regarding sewer extensions, that tho levels in the following districts had been taken since last April:— Spreydon, Beckenham, Opawa, Woolston, and part Linwood, the length of streets levelled being 48 miles 60 chains. _ There remain to be levelled about 13 miles in Linwood and Avonside. Up to date a total of 110 miles have been levelled (including tho 1911 Riccarton-Fendalton survey). During the. last fortnight, owing to rough weather, field work was suspended, and a start was .made with plotting sections and plans. The report was adopted. The Controller and Auditor-General wrote that the section of the Act quoted by the secretary was admitted as covering the expenditure in connexion with the Board's visit of inspection to the sewage _ farm t-o which the Audit Office took exception when the balance-sheet was submitted. Regarding the Board's Insurance Fund (to which the Audit Office also objected) the Controller and Auditor-General stated that in respect of the Board's domestic administration the Board's powers were entirely limited by what the law says the Board must pr may do. An insurance fund not being provided fpr by lav.- was illegal. The Court of Appeal had laid down the dictum on two occasions that, unless a separate- account *.vas required by law, it was illegal even though such separate account may effect a saving, or an economy.

The chairman said that what would have to bo dons would be to put the amount Mtherto credited to the Insurance Fund to the credit of premiums. lie did not ase where the difference came in, but one wa3 legitimate and the other not. The letter was received. Th Woolston Borou?h Council wrote, protesting against the Board's proposal to remove the bridge over the outfall drain at the top of Smith street. The Bo aid's inspector had reported that the bridge was 'ctne, j and recommended that it should bo remo.vd. The bridge was on the Board's own property, and gave access to private property. Mr C. Hill earJ that the bridge was a convenience to school children, and on hie motion it was agreed that a further report, giving «ro estimate of the cost of putting it in repair, be siiDplied. The report of" the chief inspector respecting tho tanneries was as follows: —There i 9 nothing to report this month, beyond say* in°- that wool-scouring has fallen off considerably, on account of the bad drying weather, therefore the affluents have improved. The Woolston Tanneries Company is experiencing considerable difficulty in the tank necessary to the new works, owing to quicksands. Progress ia very slow, and it appears some j time will elapse before the nerr plant will be I available."