DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 853, 19 March 1877, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

Monday, March 19

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board waa held this morning at the offices, Hereford street. Present—Messrs Hobbs (in the chair), Hall, Jones, Duncan, Ross, Harman, and Wright. The chairman said the sub-committee appointed to draw up a reply to the deputation had done their work, and would, no Jdoubt, lay their report before the Board. Before adjourning, it would be necessary to consider when they should again meet, as Monday week would be Easter Monday, and as several members would doubtless be out of town for some days after the Ist, it would perhaps be as well to adjourn for three weeks.

At the suggestion of the chairman a reso lution was carried authorising the adjustment of two of the Board’s accounts at the Bank. The chairman stated that there were rates still outstanding in the Christchurch and Avon districts which would have to be collected as soon as possible. The engineer reported as follows : “ The damaged parts of the outfall brick sewer are being strengthened with concrete buttresses, and in other parts by ramming the earth around the arch. I propose to have this sewer thoroughly cleaned out before the winter, their being a considerable deposit of sand in it. “ Contract plans for the sewers up Tuam street are being prepared, but will not be put out for tender until those for the Ferry road are decided

‘ ‘ The sheet of plan and sections proposed to be lithographed together with page of explanations are submitted, and if approved, they are ready for printing. “ I have the honour to remain, “ C. Napier Bell, Engineer.” Clauses 1 and 2 of the report were approved. In connection with clause 3, the engineer read a paper descriptive of a map submitted of Mr Carruthers’ drainage scheme, to be generally circulated, and also an explanatory page to accompany it. The report as a whole was approved, and it was decided to lithograph the plan and print the descriptive statement. A letter was read from the secretary to West Christchurch school committee, calling attention to the state of the land behind the school, which required the attention of the Board.

Referred to the engineer to report on at next meeting of the Board. A letter was read from a widow, of an advanced age, applying for a remission of her rates. Remission granted as asked.

A letter was read from Mr H. Ladds, collector, saying he had given the Board all the information that should be required, and could not give more unless he sent a copy of the Heathcote rate roll. In some instances property had been assessed in the Heathcote district three times.

Some correspondence from the Board to Mr Ladds was read, from which it was shown that the duties of collector, as required by his instructions, had not been complied with.

After remarks from members, it was decided that a letter should be written Mr Ladds, saying that he must send in a tabulated form of work done by him, as required by the Act, or further action will be taken. This return to be sent in within three weeks.

A lett r way read from the Spreydon Road Board, drawing attention to the want of a new culvert on the Wilderness road at the creek near the bridge. It was decided to reply that, as the Board have no occasion to deal with the channel in question, they consider it is the duty of the Road Board to undertake the erection of the culvert referred to.

The Spreydon Road Board wrote, in reply, informing the Board that there were two soap-boiling establishments in their district, viz., Mr Hancock’s, Newtown, and Mr King’s, Selwyn street, Addington. Referred to the Local Board of Health.

A letter was read, signed by the chairman (Mr B. Cass), and the hon. sec. (Mr Treadwell), of the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Ratepayers’ Association, suggesting a modified scheme of drainage, to comprise “ The pan system and earth for solid excreta; house slops and storm water to be taken in concrete channels as far as possible, and then through main sewers, one commencing about the south-east comer of the city, and one commencing about north east ditto, to run towards and join into the last reach of the proposed canal, as shown on the accompanying plan, &c.” Also, enclosing “ roughed out” estimate of cost. Mr Wright moved —“That a reply be sent, to the effect that the works suggested by the Ratepayers Association involve the work of shutting out the sea from the estuary, and that the Board has no power to expend the ratepayers money in such a work.”

The motion was not seconded, and fell through. Mr Duncan moved—“ That the letter be acknowledged, and that a reply he sent that the Board, after due eonsideratiou, regrets it does not see its way to comply with the request of the Ratepayers’ Association. ” Mr Hall seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

A letter was read from the Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, requesting a cheque for stamp duty on bonds, &o, paid by London office on account of the Board.

Resolved that the amount be; paid A letter w..s lead from Mr W D, Wood, calling attention to the state of the Avon river near his mill at Riccarton, the water being one foot above the proper level owing to the accumulation of weeds, &c. making a difference of 20 per cent in the production of the flour in the work of hit. mill. Mr Duncan said he had been informed that there were thousands and thousands of tons of weeds in the upper portion of the river which should be cleared away. The weeds were about six feet long, and lay on the bottom by the force of the current, and could not thus be readily seen. If the clearing of the river were commenced downwards instead of up the river, the clearance would, in his opinion, be more effectual. He had heard of the annovance experienced by the residents about Riccarton, and that the Board should take some action in the matter.

Mr Hall considered it was the duty of the Board to prevent the loss complained of, and to see ihat the contractors for clearing the river did their duty more effectually than they hnd hitherto done. He would move, “ That the engineer be instructed to see that the annoyance complained of is remedied," Mr Harman seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Dr Park wrote, drawing attention to the state of a drain at the corner of his premises, Colombo and Lichfield streets,

Decided to prefer the letter to the City Council.

A number of accounts were passed for payment.

Mr Hannan reported that the committee appointed to draft the reply to the deputation had met and put it in order, and it had been signed by him as chairman and duly forwarded. A copy was in the hand? of the secretary to the Board. The action of the committee was approved. Mr Wright moved—“ That the consulting engineer be requested to furnish, at an early date, the plans for the drainage of the rural portion of the district, as the Board is anxious to proceed with arterial drainage whore urgently needed.” Mr Harman seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

Mr Harman moved —“That Professor Bickerton be requested to make an analysis of water of the River Avon taken at Mr Cowlishaw’s corner, and of the River Heathcote at the Steam Wharf, with a view to a comparison of the same with the standard of pollution recommended for adoption by the River Pollution Commissioner in England.”

Mr Jones seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

Mr Ross moved—“ That Professor Bickerton be requested to analyse a sample of water taken from the mouth of the outfall drain, and also a sample taken from the estuary,” Mr Jones seconded the resolution, which was carried.

The chairman read the resolutions passed at the meetings, relative to the drainage scheme, held in the city and at the Heathcote, and which resolutions had been forwarded to the Board.

A basis of replies was agreed upon, and Messrs Harman, Wright, and Duncan appointed a sub committee to draw them up in detail, and forward to the chairman of each meeting. The Board then adjourned for three weeks.