DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 882, 23 April 1877, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

Monday, April 23

Tho Board met at 10.30 a.m. Present — Messrs Tancren, (chairman), Duncan, Hobbs, Ross, and Hall. The Engineer’s report was road as follows : According to the directions of the Board a fence is being erected along the deep parts of Antigua street drain. The outfall brick sewer has been cleaned out, and about eighteen cubic yards of fine sand removed from the invert. I find that the joints of the invert blocks must be covered to keep the quick sand from flowing into the sewer: for this purpose I have arranged to turn the sewage into the “ land drain.” so that the joints of the invert can be laid dry and examined and stopped as well as possible under the circumstances. Sections of the drains directed by the Board to be cut at Riccarton road, and on rural section 70, have been taken, and the work will be carried out whenever the consent of the landowners has been secured.

Complaints have been made that the large drain through R. Secs. 1753, 1030, 1705, 1778, does not effectually drain the swampy land. I find that the drain requires deepening and reducing to an uniform inclination, which cannot bn done without deepening that part which runs through sand hills, near the Horseshoe Lake, and this must ho deferred until the willows grow which have been planted to keep the sides from falling in, otherwise they must be lined with timber at a great expense. The time for receiving tenders for Ferry road storm outfall sewer has, by direction of the Board, been deferred until the 21st of May. I have, &c., C. Napier Bell. The report was considered seriatim, and the report, as a whole, was passed, as satisfactory.

A letter was road {rom Mr T. D. Jones, asking for six weeks’ leave oJt’ absence, on account of ill-health.

The leave was granted. A letter was read from the Spreydon Road Board, calling attention to certain drains in that district.

The letter was referred to the engineer with power to act.

A letter was read from the Ileathcote Eoad Board, asking that the various creeks in that district should be cleared out of watercresses.

It was resolved that the engineer make arrangements with the Ileathcote Eoad Board for the clearing of the creeks, the same as with other Boards. A letter was read from the same Board, asking for permission to put in a wood spout at the outfall drain near Hargood’s road, to facilitate the drainage of adjacent road. The matter was referred to the engineer, with power to act. A letter was read from Mr. J. Munnings, stating that he should hold the Board responsible for any damage done by the continuance of Carter’s drain through section 70. The matter was referred to the Engineer. A letter was rend from Mr J. T. Bell, calling attention to the bad state of the creek at Addington. The matter was referred to the Engineer. A letter was read from the committee of the Female Eefuge, calling the attention of the Board to the of drainage being provided for the property known as Srticklands, upon which the Institution stood. They were prepared to carry out a system of drainage if the Board woidd lay down some scheme.

It was decided that the Engineer confer ■vdth the hon. secretary of the Refuge on the subject. A letter was read from Mr Bowen, of Auckland, forwarding prices of drain pipes. A letter was read from Mr Bamford forwarding letters as to the nuisance caused by the deposit of sewage at the estuary. Mr Duncan said that he had heard on all sides complaints as to the stench arising from the estuary. He hoped that the Board would carry out; the drain into deep water. Mr Ross said that he had been up and down the road to Sumner, night and morning for four or five weeks, and he had not been able, though smelling vigorously and often, to detect any smell whatever except seaweed. Mr Hobbs said that he had taken the trouble to look up a report of the march of the volunteers to the Sumner camp in 1872. Tins -was before any sewage went to the estuary at all. The report said that “the tide being out, the breeze brought a smell with it which was anything but agreeable.” Mr Hall thought that the smell was caused by the rotting seaweed and other marine deposits. The Secretary was instructed to reply that the Board had some time since authorised the extension of the channel into deep water, and that the work would be pushed on without delay.

A letter was read from Mr ¥m, Smith, calling attention to a nuisance existing in a paddock near the Windmill road, known as Rcstcll’s paddock. The matter was referred to the engineer. A letter was read from the Heathcote Road Board, calling attention to the foul state of the drain from Cashel street to the outfall drain.

The Secretary stated that the matter had been attended to.

A letter was read from Mr Peter Chick, complaining of the cutting of a ditch through his land at Fcndalltown, so as to inconvenience him.

The letter was directed to be acknowledged. A letter was received from the works committee of the City Council, forwarding a letter complaining of the state of Free’s creek by the outlet being stopped up. This letter was from several residents in the neighbourhood who ccmpla'ned fckat the wuterTcing dammed back had done great damage to their trees, gardens, &c. It was resolved to reply that the part of the creek did not come within the jurisdiction of the Board. The Board would suggest that the complainants be recommended either to fill up their sections, or to use drain pipes to convey the water to the sewer. A letter was read from Mr Treadwell, the hon. secretary of the Ratepayers Reform Assiation, asking the Board to attend a meeting to consider the drainage, canal, dock, and reclamation scheme as opposed to any other. Mr Hobbs said that he knew several gentlemen had refused to attend the meeting as they considered it to be unfair to the Drainage Board while the other plan w r as pending. Mr Ross said, as one of the members, he stated most distinctly that he refused to consider any scheme until their present scheme was put on one side. Mr Hobbs was of opinion that the Board should decline to go. It was decided to acknowledge the receipt of the letter.

A letter was read from Mr C. Ladds regarding the outstanding rates, &c. A return was laid on the table from Mr Ladds, one entry from which was, “John Jones, 10s 6d, refuses to pay,” with the remark, “ He that is unjust let him be unjust still.” It was resolved that Mr Ladds be requested at once to close his accounts, in order to enable the Board to sue defaulters. It was resolved that £3 3s be paid to Mr Harrap for copying the Christchurch portion of the Sprcydon rate roll. A letter was read from Mr John Neil, calling attention to the bad state of the outfall drain, and the adjoining ones, which wore choked up with weeds, watercress, &e. It was resolved that a reply be sent that the Board do not recognise any responsibility as to the drain”on the south side of the outfall drain. The Board, however, would sec that the one on the north side was cleared out at once. A letter was read from certain residents in the Avon district, calling attention to the bad state of the drain on the canal reserve. The matter was referred to the engineer to report upon. A letter was read from certain residents in the Upper Riccarton district, asking that a drain might be made. The letter w r as referred to the engineer. Mr Ross said that he had been asked by Mr Money to bring the bad state of the North town belt under the notice of the Board._ At present, Mr Money’s land was, he believed, quite flooded. It was resolved to call the attention of the City Council to the matter, and them to combine with the Board in getting rid of the 1 nuisance complained of. The report of the Finance committee on the agreement with the Bank, and the probable income during next year, was read and adopted. Several accounts were passed for payment, and tho Board adjourned.