DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 535, 6 March 1876, Page 2

DRAINAGE BOARD.

This Day. The usual weekly meeting of the Christchurch District Drainage Board was held at 10.30 a.m. this morning. Present: Messrs F. Hobbs (chairman), Boss, Jones, Wright, Harman, and Duncan.

The Chairman said that Mr Hall desired him to apologise for his absence that day. Mr Webster had finished the work for the General Government, and was now at work for the Board. As regarded office accommodation, he might say that he had seen the the Hon. Mr Richardson as to a part of the offices in Gloucester street being available for offices of the Board. He found that there was only one large room downstairs and none of the upper rooms were available. He had seen other offices, the owners of which had sent in letters. The offers from the various owners were then read. Mr Harman moved —" That the consideration of the offers sent in bo adjourned for one week." He did this becnuse it would be necessary that Mr Bell, who was now present, should examine the offices.

Mr Wright seconded the motion, which was agreed to, the chairman and Mr Bell to see the various offices and report next meeting. A communication was received from the Provincial Secretary, enclosing a report from, the railway engineer as to the proposed drain from the Christchurch railway station to the River Heathcote. Mr Warner reported that the original scheme for the drain would require modifying if the Drainage Board wished to make use of it, and in that case he presumed the Board would have no objection to share the expense of the work. It was resolved that the letters from the Provincial Secretary and Railway Engineer be handed to Mr Bell for his report thereon.

A letter was read from the chairman of the Avon Road Board, requesting the Board to consider the question of draining properties to the westward of R..S. No. 251.

Mr Wright moved—" That the consideration of this letter be deferred for two months." This was only fair to Mr Bell, who was a perfect stranger to the district. Mr Harman seconded the motion, which was carried. A letter was read from the Christchurch City Council, forwarding a letter from Dr Robinson, of the Hospital, calling attention to the nuisance arising from the Antigua street drain, and pointing out that, through the noxious vapours arising from the drain, the convalescents were obliged to be kept indoors. He therefore hoped that the Council would take some steps in the matter.

The Chairman pointed out that this question had been sent on from the City Council because it was a matter belonging to the Drainage Board. The only remedy was an underground drain, in order to get rid of the drainage, and therefore no steps could at present be taken. Mr Duncan moved "Thatthe letter stand over until Mr Bell has had time to make himself acquainted with the matter." The chairman said that he thought that that it would be as well if the local bodies should take charge of any temporary work necessary to be done such as this, The powers of the local bodies were more extended than those of the Board, and he thought it would be as well to have an understanding now. Mr Boss pointed out that the real cause of the bad state of the drain arose from a brewery in the neighborhood. If this were the case, there should be some steps taken to make this brewery keep their water clean. The chairman said that the City Council could either compel the brewery to abate the nuisance or even to close the Antigua street drain, and send the water down to the South drain. After some further discussion, it was resolved that the letter be referred back to the City Council.

A letter was read from the Heathcote Boad Board calling attention to the foul state of the river Heathcote, which interfered materially with the drainage, and requesting the Board to take some action in the matter.

On the motion of Mr Harman, seconded by Mr Jones, the letter was directed to be acknowledged, and the Board informed that at present the Drainage Board was not prepared to deal with these subjects. The report of the committee appointed to consider the duties of the secretary and treasurer to the Board wa3 brought up and read.

On the motion of Mr Duncan, the Board went into committee to consider the report. The Board then resumed after discussing the report, when the recommendations of the committee to the effect that the salary of the clerk be £3OO per annum net, and that the security to be giTen be £IOOO, were adopted. The report as a whole was then adopted. The chairman stated that the seal of the Board was on board the Arawata. The Board went into committee to consider the matter of the preparation of debentures, when it was decided that the subcommittee proceed with the preparation of the debentures.

On the Board resuming, the action of the sub-committee was approved. The chairman was directed to advertise for applications for the office of clerk and treasurer, to be sent in within fourteen days of date.

The consideration of payment of accounts was adjourned for one wefk. Mr Wright moved—" That the chairman, Mr Duncan, and the mover, form a subcommittee to point out to Mr Bell the various parts in the south-east portion of the ciiy and other parts of the district requiring immediate atiention." This would merely be a temporary measure, and would not in any way interfere with the carrying out of the general scheme of drainage. Mr Jones seconded the resolution, as it was most important that some relief should be afforded to localities in which it was urgently needed.

Mr Harman did not like to see the engineer hampered with details before he had actually set to work. He should not oppose the resolution, but it must be an understanding that Mr Bell should state when he was ready to go to work. The chairman said of course it was always understood that temporary works would be necessary to be carried out before the winter set in.

The motion was then put and carried, A discussion ensued as regarded the details of the engineer's duties, &c. Ultimately the matter of the travelling expenses of the ergineer and surveyor was referred to the chairman and Mr Wright. The Board then adjourned,