DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 719, 9 October 1876, Page 2

DRAINAGE BOARD.

Monday, October 9. The usual forniglitly meeting of this Board was held at 10.30 a.m. Present—Messrs F. Hobbs (chairman), Tancred, "Wright, Hall, Jones, Duncan, Eoss, Harnian. The chairman said that according to instructions received at last meeting he had communicated with his Honor the Superintendent and Hon. E. Richardson, asking them to form a deputation to the Government to request them to bring down by message certain alterations in clauses 3 and 4 of the Drainage Act Amendment Bill. He had received a telegram from his Honor stating that the borrowing powers of the Board had been reduced from £250,000 to £200,000. The debenture forms were being prepared, and he had consulted the Board's solicitor with respect to having a resolution relative to printing of debentures.

On she motion of ivh flarman, pecocded by Mr Hall, it was resolved—" That the resolution of the Board, of 28th February,

1876, finally authorising issue of debentures to amount of £IOO,OOO, be rescinded." Mr Duncan moved—" That the chairman and Mr Tancred be reappointed as a committee to amend the regulations for the conduct of business of the Board." Mr Boss seconded the motion, which wns agreed to. Mr Wright gave notice of the following motion for Monday next, at a special meeting : " That the Ohristchurch District Drainage Board do borrow and take up at interest on the security or credit of the rates authorised to be made and levied by the Board, under The Ohristchurch District Drainage Act, 1875, Amendment Act, 1876, the sum of £IOO,OOO being the first issue of a loan of £200,000 for defraying the costs, charges and expenses of the system of drainage for the district to be executed by the Board, for paying for any lands which may be charged or injuriously affected, and for defraying the costs, charges, and expenses of, and incidental to the purshasing, building, constructing and maintaining any buildings, drains, sewers, flood gates, dams, reservoirs, machinery, steam engines, bridges, and other works necessary for such drainage. That for the purpose of securing the repayment of the said sum, together with interest thereon, the Board do issue one thousand debentures for the sum of one hundred pounds each, in the form in the schedule of the Christchurch District Drainage Amendment Act, 1876, or to the effect thereof, to the person or persons, by or on behalf of whom such sura or portions thereof be advanced. That the principal sum of one hundred thousand pounds be borrowed for a period of-fifty years from the making of the said debentures, and that the rate of interest to be named in, or made payable by such debentures, be at the rate of six pounds per centum per annum, and payable half-yearly, and that coupons be attached to such debentures for the payment of such interest. That such debenture be forthwith offered for sale by the Bank of New Zealaud, in London. That the minimum price for such debentures be fixed at . That the debentures be signed by the chairman and any two members of the Board." The Chairman stated that he had received a telegram from Messrs Stevens and Eichardson in connection with the Public Health Act. After some discussion, it was resolved that the consideration of this matter should be postponed until Monday next, and that the chairman should communicate with the members with the view of having the Contra! Board restricted to the drainage district. The engineer's report was read as follows: " Having examined the cause of complaint made by Mr J. Bowley on section 125, I find that the flooding of the land is caused by the culvertß UDder the roads not being kept in repair 5 and I have written to the surveyor Of the Heathcote Road Board, asking him to attend to these culverts, but the River Avon is at present unusually high on account of the growth of weeds, and until it is lowered ; the land cannot be well drained. 1 "I have examined the drain at Innes' road, along which, the road for about nine chains ought to be fenced with spurred fencing; the Board will decide whether it is our duty to do this work. "Wooden culverts have been put in at Jackson's creek under two occupation roads, and the railway engineer will provide a culvert under the railway ; this will prevent the land south of the railway section 176 and 74 from draining towards the gas works. ' «■ A fifteen-inch pipe has been put across the Bast belt at Tuam street; if the town is again flooded there, it will be on account of the smallness of the grating, which the city surveyor no doubt will see to. » Anthony's drain has been opened up to the North belt. " Seeing that the plans for the drainage will be prepared before very long, I think it would be advisable that the Board have a supply of cement on hand, and provide Storage for it. " I have the honor to remain, " C. Napier Bell."

A medical practitioner drew the attention of the chairman to the state of the south drain. On !the motion of Mr Jones, the engineer was empowered to take such steps as he may deem necessary. A letter was read from the City Council respecting the purchase of land near the outfall drain. It was resolved that the land be purchased at coßt price. . Two tenders were received for clearing the aiver ; and on the motion of Mr Wright it was agreed that fresh tenders be called for, to be seat in by Monday next. Messrs Jones, Boss, Duncan, and the chairman were appointed as a committee to go through the Local Board of Health Bill, and report at next meeting. Several accounts were passed, and the meeting adjourned until 11.30 a.m. on Monday next.