DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 659, 31 July 1876, Page 2

DRAINAGE BOARD.

Monday, July 3 Ist. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Drainage Board was held at 10.80 a.m. Present— Messrs F. Hobbs (chairman), Tailored, Hall, Duncan, Ross, Jones, Wright. The chairman reported that the Board held a special meeting on Monday last to consider a communication from the financial agents of the Board. The committee had also deputed two of their number to consider the amendments in the Drainage Act. He had been waited on by two men from the East town belt, who complained that their property was under water. The properties, he believed, were situate in Tuarn street east. If anything could be done it would be a very great relief. Mr ranoeU had taken up his contract for collecting the rates in the Spreydon district and the other collectors except ore had furnished security. He mi;,;ht say that Mr Bray had suggested that the Board should have some clauses iusertfd into the Amended Drainage Act. giving the Board power to control the artesian wells within the district. He thought this was a very valuable suggestion, as there wsb row a very large quantity of water runniDg to

waste,- which might be useful for flushing, and beyond this, if it were kept under control, the roads of the district would not be nearly bo wet as they were now with the continual flow of water. Respecting the complaint of the persons resident on the East town belt, Mr Jones moved—" That the matter be referred to the engineer, with instructions to carry out such works as may relieve the locality, of the storm water." Mr Boss seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The engineer's report was read as follows :

" Having taken levels to determine the best course for a drain to take the place of that in Mr Kruse's land, and which is needed to divert the water from running along the north road, I find that the most advantageous course would be one in which it would be necessary to acquire a strip of land from another section. I would suggest that nothing be done in the matter until the plans are received from Wellington, in order that the Board may first be in a position to estimate the total outlay which will be incurred for all the works. " In reply to a letter from Mr Kitson to the Board, complaining of the drainage of his section, I find that Mr Kitson and three others occupy sections through which the course of a creek used to pass, which is now of no importance to the Board to preserve. The other occupants have filled up the depression on their sections, so as to be able to drain into the road side gutters, and I am of opinion that Mr Kitson should do the same, which is quite practicable for him to do. Otherwise he is at liberty to drain his section to the river, which is adjacent to it. " I have answered Mr Blakiston's letter, complaining of the drainage of sections east of Caledonian road, to the effect that an inconveniently deep drain would be required alongside of the road, to drain the holes in which the water stands, and that the Board cannot deal with it until the pot holes are filled in to the level of the surrounding land. " I beg to submit a letter from the consulting engineer on the subject of the purchase of cement, and one on the same subject from the engineer to the harbor works of Oamaru. " I have received a letter from the solicitors, advising that the drain reserve between Madras and Barbadoes streets, north of the river, was illegally Bold and encroached upon, and that the Board may cause the same to be reopened without compensation. " I have the honor to remain, " 0. Napiek BBLi, M.1.C.8. " Engineer." The report was discussed clause by clause. Clause 1 was adopted, and it was resolved that no further steps be taken in the matter at present. On clause 2 it was resolved that a letter be written to Mr Kitson, informing him that the Board had abandoned Free's creek as a natural watercourse east of Madras street, and that he was therefore at liberty to fill it up if he thought proper. Clause 4 was passed as satisfactory. The question of cement, as referred to in the letter of the consulting engineer, was deferred for further consideration when the plans for the drainage works were before the Board. Respecting the land as to which the solicitor's opinion had been given, situate north of Madras street, a letter was read from several residents of the locality, complaining that the Rev C. Fraser, having taken possession of the only drain in the neighbourhood, the sections had become flooded, which in so populous a neighbourhood, was a great evil. At the time the land was bou?M it was understood that the drain was a public one. A letter was read from the solicitors to the Board, giving it as their opinion that the drain had been illegally closed, and that the Board had power to re-open the same without any claim to compensation being made by the Rev C. Fraser. Mr Wright moved—" That the engineer take steps to hare the drain known as Anthony's drain opened." Mr Tancred seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The engineer reported that in many instances the residents in that neighbourhood had encroached upon the drain. It was resolved that the clerk be instructed to give the parties so encroaching notice to remove any obstruction existing, at once. A letter was read from Mr J. T. Fisher expressing his willingness to forward the interests of the Board, as regarded the amended Drainage Bill as far as possible. The chairman stated that he had received a private letter from the Superintendent, expressing his desire to aid the Board as much as possible. A letter was read from Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw stating that if litigation arose from the matter respecting the Carlton millrace they would act for the Board. A communication as to the Carlton mill ■ race was read from Wilson, King and Co, as to the signing of the petition, and the position of those affected by the race, there being only one person who was affected, the others expressing themselves satisfied. It was resolved, after some discussion that that the engineer carrying out the resolution passed by the Board. A letter was read from Mr Thomas, asking the Board to build a bridge over the Ferry road drain, as he was building a house. The letter was referred to the Engineer. A letter was read from Thomas Forrest, complaining of the drain pipes in Manchester street north, which were choked up and flooded his section. The letter was referred to the Engineer. A letter was read from Mr Sheridan, St Albans, complaining of the state of hia section owing to the defective drainage. The Engineer said he had seen this locality, and was preparing a report on the same. The matter was left in the hands of the Engineer, A petition was received from a number of residents on the Canal reserve, pointing out that their sections were completely submerged, owing to want of drainage. A drain had been begun by the Avon Road Board, but not completed. Mr Wright said the drain was begun by the Avoa Road Board but not completed in consequence of the Drainage Board being called into existence. It required a little deepening at the further end, and he thought that this was a matter which would not cost much and would serve to carry off the water in the district. The matter was left in the hands of the Engineer. A letter was read from Mr Ebers, calling attention to the fact that cattle were con-

stantly trespassing on the Ferry road, cutting and breaking down the bank. The letter was directed to be acknowledged and the Surveyor directed to 'place notices, warning owners of cattle that they were liable to prosecution for trespass. The report- of the committee appointed to consider the amendments to be suggested in the Drainage Act for [adoption at the present session of the Assembly was read as follows : "In consequence of advices from the Board's financial agent in London, through their bankers here, we beg to report that we consider it advisable to have the Drainage Act amended, and in order that there should not be any unnecessary delay, instructions have been given to the Board's solicitor to draft the amendments." " 1. That a clause be inserted in the Act limiting the borrowing powers of the Board to a sum of £250,000, there not being at present any limit. •■ 2. That clause 50 be amended so that the rating power shall be increased from Is to Is 3d in the £l, to give increased security to purchasers of debentures in case of depreciation of the value of property at any period during the currency of the loan. " 3. That the form of the fourth schedule be amended in conformity with the one already adopted by the Board. "4. That provision be made in the Act so that all debentures will rank pari passu, no priority being allowed according to date. "5. That a clause should be inserted containing similar provisions to clause 148 in the new Municipal Coi'portions Bill, giving power to hypothecate the debentures pending the raising of a loan. As the limit of interest under clause 75 is 7 per cent per annum, we consider this would be sufficient protection against the debentures being sold by the mortgagors at a very low premium. "6. That clause 78 should be amended, making debentures transferable on delivery (they being already made payable to bearer) instead of being transferable by endorsement. " 7. That clause 79 should be amended by striking out the words " not less than equal to one sixtieth part of the sum so provided respectively,' and other words substituted compelling the Board to invest a sufficient sum every year as a sinking fund to provide for the repayment of any loan. " With reference to the fourth suggestion in the letter of the bank that a clause should be inserted giving the Board authority to depute power by resolution to financial agents in London or elsewhere to execute debentures on behalf of the Board under the Act, we are of opinion that there has not been sufficient reason shown, and think it advisable for the present the Board should prepare and create its own debentures. "Relative to suggestion No 5, viz, that power be taken by the Board to raise money temporarily on security of debentures, &c. This has already been provided for in No 5 of the proposed amendments. " We would suggest his Honor W. Bolleston, M.H.R, be requested kindly to take charge of the amendments on behalf of the Board. " Fbedk. Hobbs, " Chairman." The chairman said it would be necessary to explain, so that the ratepayers might know what waß the real meaning of clause 2. It was not intended, though the Board took the power to increase the rate, to use it. Indeed, from the increase year by year of the assessment, there would be no necessity. All that the provision was inserted for was, to secure the English capitalists who might invest their money in the purchase of their debentures. The report was received and discussed clause by clause. The clauses were passed as read without amendment, and the report as a whole adopted. It was resolved that the sub-committee be instructed to have the amendments drafted and forwarded to Wellington. The engineer brought up several suggestions for amendments in the Act so far as regarded dealing with works, &o. After some discussion, the suggestions were referred to the sub-committee on the amendments necessary in the Act. Mr Bray's suggestions as to control of the artesian wells were considered. The engineer said that from calculations he had made, he found that the discharge of water in the city during the twenty-four hours was 240 gallons per head of the population. Now, when they came to consider that of this was artesian water running to waste, they would see the necessity for some action being taken. Of course with this enormous waste and overflow every well which was put down decreased the supply until it would come to be so that the supply would be so reduced that it would all but cease, A discussion ensued, Mr Jones expressing an opinion that as the artesian wells were private property, the Board could hardly, without oppression, interfere with them. Mr Hall moved—" That the sub-committee be requested to add a clause to be proposed amendments giving the Board powerover the artesian wells of the city and district." Mr Ross seconded the motion. Mr Jones moved as an amendment —" That the sub-committee consider the suggestions placed before the Board by Mr Bray and the engineer with regard to the artesian wells, to report at next meeting of the Board; and that the ratepayers and City Council be consulted on the matter prior to the amendment being forwarded to Wellington." The amendment moved by Mr Jones was not seconded. The original motion was then put and carried, Mr Jones only dissenting. After passing several accounts the Board adjourned.