DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 624, 19 June 1876, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The fortnightly meeting of the Christchurch District Drainage Board was held this morning, at 10 30 a.m. Present—Messrs F. Hobbs (chairman), 11. J. Hall, B. J. S. Harman, A. Duncan, 11. J, Tancred, T. D. Jones, and E. O, Wright. The engineer’s report was read as follows—- “ Having examined the bricks left by the City Council on the outfall sewers, 1 would recommend that the Board purchase them, provided the City Council will make a reasonable allowance for broken bricks. I will take another opportunity of reporting on the proposed purchase of a section of land from the City Council,, as I have not yet examined it.

‘ ‘Plans have been prepared and andsubmitted to the solicitors, for the purpose Of having the land transferred on which Mr W. Walls wishes a new drain cut.

“In reply to a letter from the Spreydon Road Board, dated June 6th, I would suggest that permission be given to the Road Board to insert two or three more pipes into the South belt sewer,[to assist in keeping the South belt dry, but that the Drainage Board should decline to incur any expense until the plans are received from Wellington. “ A block plan of the city, showing all the buildings, is offered to the Board for purchase by Mr F. Strouts. As this plan would be very necessary in laying down street drains and their connections, I beg to suggest that the Board purchase a copy, provided reasonable terms are accepted, and that Mr Strouts guarantees the accuracy of the plans, “ The accepted tender for clearing rivers not having been ratified, I propose to defer

this work till the spring of the year, clearing the worst parts meanwhile by day labour; when the contract which the Government has in hand is expired a different arrangement of contracts for clearing can probably be effected. The clearing of smaller drains and watercourses is being carried out very satisfactorily under the arrangements made with the Road Boards. “I expect before next meeting to have sent to the consulting engineer all the data necessary for him to proceed with the preparation of plans. “I have, &c, ** 0. Napier Bell, Engineer. ”

The report was discussed seriatim. Respecting the suggestion of the Engineer as to the purchase of bricks near the outfall drain, Mr Harman moved, “That the recommendation of the Engineer be adopted.” Mr A. Duncan seconded the motion, which was carried.

The clause referring to the transfer of the land belonging to Mr Walls, for the purpose of opening up a drain, was approved, on the condition that Mr Walls paid the cost of the legal transfer. The Board decided as to the matter of the procuring the block plan of the city, that the sum of one hundred guineas be offered to Mr Strouts for a set of the plans, and the Engineer was empowered to treat with him at that price, reception of the plans to depend upon their accuracy being proved to the satisfaction of the Engineer.

Regarding the non-completion of the contract for clearing the branches of the river Avon, The Engineer stated that he had given the tenderer who had not completed the contract, notice that the matter was annulled, as he had not signed the contract nor produced his securities. He therefore proposed, as the season was so far advanced, to leave the clearing of the branches until spring. The Board approved the action of the Engineer. Mr Jones asked the engineer if there was any objection to the water from Waltham and Gasworks road being taken down the new drain. The Hcathcoto Road Board had called hie attention to the fact that if this were done, it would relieve this part of the district of a large quantity of water. He would also ask him whether the Board could not make the footpaths on the east side of the belt, where the cro-sings were. The Engineer said that he had arranged for an overflow weir in the drain, as he intended that the sewage should go down the present drain. Mr Harman pointed out that by doing this they would be breaking faith with the Heathcote people, as they would bs sending the Waltham sewage down the Ferry road drain. As this was a matter of great importance, he thought the engineer should be asked to report upon it, Mr Duncan considered that it would be very unwise for the Board to step outside their duty and make roads, as it was now asked for them to do.

The chairman said that as regarded the taking of the Waltham water down the drain, he thought it would simply be storm water and not sewage, so that the Board need not fear by allowing it to go down the Ferry road drain, that they would be breaking faith with the Heathcote people. The engineer said that the coming from Waltham was principally artesian water, and he did not think that it would cause any nuisance. If it were found to do so it might at once be turned off. Mr Jones moved—“ That the engineer take the necessary steps to cause the water from Waltham and the Gasworks road, to flow down the Ferry road drain, the Board to have the power to shut off the water if it be found to create a nuisance.

Mr Harman seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A lengthy correspondence between the Board and Mr Kruse’s solicitor relative to the opening of the drain upon his property on the North road was read. Mr Kruse denied that the water course proposed to be opened was a natural one, and suggested that the same arrangement should be made with him as to compensation as with other owners of land rtquired by the Board for drainage works, The chairman pointed out that it became a matter of evidence as to the existence or non-exiatence of a natural watercourse. Mr Tancred moved—“ That Mr Kruse’s solicitor be informed that the Board intend to proceed with the work, and that Mr Kruse’s right to compensation, if any, would have to be decided in the ordinary way.” Mr Hall seconded the motion, which was agreed to, A letter was read from the Heathcote Road Board stating that the rate which had been referred to them for explanation had been levied on the outfall drain. It was resolved to refer the matter to the solicitors to the Board. A letter to the Heathcote Road Board was read -asking that Bell’s Creek might be cleared out.

The Engineer said that the work was already done; at Jleast a mile and a quarter of it. A letter was read from Rev Mr GUasson, calling attention to the dangerous state of the drain on the Stanmore road. Mr Glasson also pointed out that the drain was causing much illness in the district, where typhoid and scarlet fever had been rife. By covering in the drain referred to, he believed that the ill-effects of it would be done away with.

A letter was also read from the Heathcote Road Board, calling attention to the complaint of the Rev Mr Glasson. Mr Jones moved—“ That the engineer be instructed to take such steps as he may deem fit to relieve the inhabitants from the bad effects of the drain complained of.” After some discussion, Mr Jones withdrew his motion. Mr Duncan then moved—“ That the letters of Rev Mr Glasson and the Heathcote Road Board be referred to the engineer, so far as regarded the opening out of Jackson’s creek from the box to the outfall drain.” Mr Harman seconded the motion which was carried.

A letter was read from the town clerk, calling attention to the bad state of Free’s Creek and one near Madras street.

The clerk was instructed to reply that the engineer was taking steps to remedy the evil brought before the Board.

A petition from property holders near the Carlton mill race was read complaining that the mill race was kept too high, flooding the adjacent land, and preventing natural drainage. The petitioners also complained that the percolations, &o, were a serious detriment to the property in the vicinity. They therefore prayed that the Board would take some steps to remedy the evils complained of.

Mr Hall said that since the mill had changed hands more powerful machinery had been put in and the dam raised, the water in the race being thus brought above the level of the course of the work, If the race were lowered to what it was some three years ago there would be little or no ground for complaint. If the Board took the matter in hand, and compelled the water to be lowered, the whole thing would be settled. At present there was no doubt it was a nuisance. The people living in the vicinity, though holding the belief that the mill race was illegal, did not wish to go into the Supreme Court, and put a stop to the industry. Mr Duncan said that an attempt had been made in the Provincial Council to get the mill race legalised, but the Council had declined. Of course if the mill race interfered with their drainage, then the Board would have every right to step in. Mr Jones thought that if the proprietor of the mill had exceeded his rights, the petitioners had a remedy by applying to the Supreme Court, as the Board was not called upon to interfere in every case. Mr Hall moved—“ That the engineer be requested to report at next meeting on the subject of the petition, having reference to the Carlton mill race.” Mr Tancred seconded, the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Duncan, for Mr Wright, moved—- “ That the Board intend, at a meeting to bs held on the 3rd July, 1876, at 10.30 o'clock in the forenoon, for the purposes of the Christchurch District Drainage Act, to make a rate upon all rateable property within the district, of two pence half-penny in the £. on the annual value of such property, for the period ending 31st December, 1876, according to the statement of the proposed rate now produced, such rate to be payable on the 17th August, 1876. That a statement of the proposed rate be deposited for the inspection of the ratepayers at the office of the Christchurch District Drainage Board.” Mr Tancred seconded the motion, which was carried. It was resolved that the clerk be instructed to write to the City Council and various Road Boards, asking them on what terms they would collect the Christchurch district drainage rate. The Board then adjourned.