DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 600, 22 May 1876, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The usual meeting of the Christchurch District Drainage Board was held this morning at 10.80. Present—Messrs F. Hobbe (chairman), Duncan, Wright, Hall, Jones, Tanorcd, nnd Harman. The chairman said he had to report that the Board had taken over their new offices, and chat they had been furnished.

The secretary read the following repor from the engineer to the Board :

" I have the honor to report that the contractor for the lower part of the Ferry road drain has nearly completed his work, which he has executed in a very satisfactory manner, Extra expense has been incurred to the amount of about 10 per cent on his contract sum on account of the number of extra bridges which several people have asked for to gain access to their hitherto unoccupied sections ; also for slips in the sides of the drain and for timbering the sides near houses and other places. The second contract is about half fiuished ; on about five chains of this part there is running sand at the bottom, which will necessitate timbering the slopes at the bottom. I have made up estimates for the cost of annually clearing rivers, creeks, and drains of weeds and other obstructions, by which it is seen that as the drains are at present the approximate cost of this work in the four drainage districts will amount to about £'1533 per annum. This work was previously carried out by the Government, the Road Boards, and by private contributions. It does not seem in all cases to have been regularly and systematically done; in some cases the rivers and dr-dns were left for years untouched. The accompanying estimate would provide for all the watercourses being chared out twice a year, some of which have never been cleared before, such as Jackson's Creek, the Lower Heathcote, &c. Some of the work included in the estimate has been done this year, and the river Avon and the Heathcote, from Lincoln road to Colombo street, is under cont-act for clearing. In the Riccarton district, the necessity for getting the streams cleared seems to be the most urgent, as nothing has been done to them for a long time. The smaller estimate of £1124 12s 6d applies to the current year, what will be the amount for succeeding years cannot be exactly defined until it is seen whether any change of the drainage system will be made by the consulting engineer. It is to be observed that many of the drains in tho list are exclusively the land of one pereon, and the Board will decide whether such comee under the jurisdiction of the Drainage Board, There can be no doubt that a large sum will in any case be annually required to keep the water courses clear, the only remedy to prevent growth of weeds being to line the drainß with timber, but the interest on the outlay for that purpose would always far exceed the cost of clearing. Much obstruction is caused to the creeks and drains, and consequent expense incurred by people planting willows along the edge, and in some cases even in the beds of the creeks and drains. In parts of Jackson's creek groves of willows nave been planted in the bed of the water course. If the Act allows it, great benefit and ecorotny would be secured by forbidding people to plant wi bin ten or fifteen feet of the edge, without authorising the Board also to have a right over the said ten or fifteen feet for the purpose of planting of trees, accumulation of rubbish, erecting of fences across the streams in order to keep them clear. I would recommend that all willows be cut down which are now growing within the said distance of the water's edge in all small creeks and drains in watercourses which are over twelve feet wide, this measure would not be always necessary. The drainage of sewage and other filth into watercourses should also be forbidden outside the town limits, or at least be subject to the permission of the BoaTd. All the information which I have collected on the drainage of the districts I will lay before the consulting engineer, in order that if possible the system may be simplified and reduced in codt. In regard to the new drain proposed to be cut for him on section 393 by Mr Wall, I think it is not advisable to incur such expenses. The drain would be 2/ chains long, averaging 33 cubic yards per chain, the cosf of which would be about 44? per chain, while the cost of keeping the creek clear as it stands would be about 3s per chain annually. The new drain, when cut, would have to be kept clear, although Mr Wall offers to do it for ten years, the drain does not effect any land but his own, at least only to a trifling extent, and if the Board has to keep euch clear the cost of executing Ja new drain would keep the present crook clear for fourteen years. If the Boa-d decide to undertake the clearing of creeks thi3 year I would recommend that the upper branches of the Avon be let by contract, and that the smaller drains be done by day-work for the present: this work is so irregular and broken that it is scarcely suitable to be let by tender from the difficulty of properly specifying what is to be done, and from the disputes which arise in consequence. I think that day labor under a good inspector would be most satisfactory. This is also the opinion of several surveyors of Road Boards. The j letter from the secretary of the Heathcote Road Board has been answered in accordance with the minutes of last meeting.—C. Napier Bell, Engineer."

The list of drains in the various districts was read, and after some discussion,

Mr Ross moved—" That the drains mentioned in the above-named schedule be taken over by the Drainage Board for one year, without prejudice, and that instructions be given at once for their clearance. ' Mr Tancred seconded the mo'ion, which was carried. Some debate took pi ace relative to the clause in thereportreferringtopersonsplanting willows in and near streams and watercourses. Mr Duncan moved—" That the Engineer give notice to all persons who have planted any trees, &c, which in his opinion otstructs the drain or watercourses under the control of the Drainage Board to have the same removed." Mr Hall seconded the motien, which was carried. A letter was read from the Heathcote Road Board, forwarding a memorial from certain residents *n the Ferry road, asking the Board to inform them when the Ferry roaH drain would be either completed or filled up Mr Duncan moved—" That the secretary be instructed to reply that the Board wil take the earliest opportunity of forwarding a definite reply as soon as the consulting engineer has supplied the Board with hif plans for the drainage of the district. Thei think, however, the time will certainly no exceed eighteen months before the said drain is either covered in or filled up."

Mr Ross seconded the motion, which was carried.

A letter from Mr Sutter, asking for a cart bridge to be made over the Ferry road drain, was referred to the engineer. Mr Wright, in pursuance of notice of motion, moved :—" That at its first meeting in July this Board will strike a rate of 2*d in the pound upon all rateable property within the Christchurch drainage district for the year ending 31st December, 187 G, and that the clerk to the Board advertise the in accordance with clause 63 of the Christchurch District Drainage Act." Mr Duncan seconded the motion, which was agreed to. After the transaction of some further routine business, the Board adjourned.