DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 936, 25 June 1877, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

Monday, June 25

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board was held at 10.30 a.m. Present, Messrs Tancved (chairman), Eoss, Duncan, Harman, Hall, and Hobbs. engineer's report. The following report was read frem the Engineer : According to instructions received from the Chairman, I have been to Wellington and explained to Mr Carruthers tke objections which have been made to his plan for the drainage of the district. The modifications which he has submitted will be explained in his report, and I have prepared sketch plans of them on the lithograpk maps. While in Wellington I revised with Mr Carruthers the estimate of cost of his original scheme ; the rough estimate of the same which I laid before the Board in February last, was about 5 per cent higher than that of Mr Carruthers. The extension of the timber drain at the estuary is being earned out. The work is progressing slowly on account of delays from the tide. In regard to complaints from proprietors on the No 2 or Horse-shoe Lake drain, 1 explained some time ago that this drain requires deepening in order to dry the land in the upper parts. The outlet which requires deepening most cannot be so done unless the sides are either timbered or planted with willows. I have had it so planted as being the cheapest expedient. It ivill probably be about two years before these willows will have roots sufficient to keep the sand from falling in. If the sides were timbered, the drain could be deepened next summer. The cost would be about .£SOO for timbering the sides. The Heathcote drain and Jackson's creek south of the railway are being cleared of weeds, and will soon be finished. With reference to the renewed complaint by Mr Blackiston on the condition of the drainage at the Caledonian road, on the 29th July, 1876, I wrote to him on the subject. There is no change in the condition of things sinoe then; but if the Board think it advisable to cut a deep drain alongside part of the Northern road, with two culverts under the cross roads, this will serve a temporary purpose only, and will not thoreughly drain the land unless the holes are filled up by the proprietors. If the holes were filled up, and the sections levelled, the land would be drained by the side gutters of the streets. Instructions have been given to get the portion of No. I drain (canal reserves drain district) next Dudley's creek cleared out, and the upper part of No. 3 drain, which is again choked with cress. I have, &c, C. Napier Bell. 3tR. CARRUTIIEr'S NEW SCHEME. A letter was road from Mr Carruthers, resigning his position as Consulting Engineer to the Board, as follows : Sir, —After studying the plans of the outlying districts, I find it will not be necessary to construct any leading drainage works as the districts may be most easily drained in detail. I do not think your engineer would derive much tancfit from my advice on this subject, as his IwcSi knowledge of the levels, and of the views and wishes of the landowners through whose land the necessary drains must be cut, will enable him to' design the works in a more satisfactory manner than could be done by any one not living on the spot. Under these circumstances, I think the Board may allow me to resign the position I have the honor to hold as their Consulting Engineer. I have, &c, John Carruthers. The Chairman of the Christehurch District Drainage Board. A lengthy report containing the proposals of Mr Carruthers' for his modified scheme of drainage was also read, which, owing to pressure in our space, we are unable to publish in the present issue. A conversational discussion on Mr Carruthers' report and plans ensued, Mr Bell pointing out the proposed scheme_on the plans forwarded by Mr Carruthers. Mr Duncan said he thought it was necessary for the Board to go into committee to consider the first letter of Mr Carruthers', when Mr Bell coidd explain to them the proposals which would be made for the provision of drainage for the countrydistricts which had to contribute to [the cost of the work without being very greatly benefitted at present. Hr Harman thought Mr Duncan had not apprehended the letter of Mr Carruthers. All that he (Mr Harman) took it to mean was that Mr Carruthers was of opinion that the work could be more satisfactorily done by their own engineer. This unquestionably would be a very satisfactory state of tilings. Some further conversation ensued, and ultimately it was resolved to postpone the consideration of the first clause of the engineer's report for the present, and to take the remainder of it. This was done, and the report considered seriatim. After some discussion, Mr Eoss moved—" That the consideration of the work proposed in the second clause be deferred until the plan for the drainage of the rural districts is more matured." Mr Harman seconded the motion pro forma. Mr Duncan moved as an amendment—- " That Mr Bell be instructed to prepare a

plan for the carrying out of No. 2 drain and subsidiary drains, so that the work may be proceeded with as soon as possible." The amendment, on being seconded, Was put and carried. Mr Bell submitted a series of questions for the opinion of the solicitor to the Board as to the rights of the Board oyer drains cut through private property and drains re-opened or cleaned by the Board. On the motion of Mr Hobbs, it was resolved that the solicitor be requested to reply to the questions of Mr Bell. Regarding Mr Blakiston's complaint, it was resolved "That the engineer be requested to inspect the place referred to, and report, informing Mr Blakiston of the date of his visit." The Board then proceeded to consider the first clause of the report and Mr Carruthers's report on the modified scheme of drainage. Mr Hobbs thought their action that day on the report of Mr Carruthers should be confined to requesting the chairman to place himself in communication with Mr Clark, who was at present in Melbourne. Tie believed that this would bo the best way, and would move " That the ehairman be requested to place himself in communication with Mr Clark, to ask him if lie will visit Christohurch at an early date, to report upon the system of drainage now submitted to the Board, or failing Mr Clark, the chairman to communicate with Mr Gordon, N.S.W." Mr Hall seconded the motion, which was agreed to. PIIILirSTOTVN. Mr Duncan called attention to the water standing near Philipstown school. The engineer was directed to visit the place indicated, and take steps for the removal of the water. RESIGNATION OF MB CARRUTHERS. On the motion of Mr Duncan, the Board went into committee to consider the letter of Mr Carruthers resigning his position as Consulting Engineer to the Board as regarded the drainage of the rural districts. It was resolved that the chairman communicate with Mr Carruthers on the subject. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Mr Ebbery asking permission to lay down a drain pipe across the footpath in the Caledonian road. The matter was referred to the engineer. A complaint from Mr W. C. Webb as to the flooded state of his paddocks was referred to the engineer. A letter was read from Mr W. Lo»kwood, calling attention to the fact that the district in Colombo road south was in a very flooded Btate, and requesting that some steps should be taken to remedy it. Mr Bell said that the eighteen inch pipe which had been placed in this locality had been broken and smashed in every direction. To replace it would cost a very lnrge sum of money, and he thought that it would be as well to take temporary measures. The matter was referred to the engineer. A petition from a number of residents on the Harewood road was referred to the engineer. A petition from a number of residents near No. 2 drain was read, complaining of the bad state of that drain. It was resolved that the engineer be instructed to take such steps as may be deemed necessary for immediate relief. A letter was read from Mr Spencer, calling attention to a pool of stagnant water in Salisbury street west. The matter was referred to the engineer. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £159 5s lid were ordered to be paid. NOTICE OP MOTION. Mr Duncan to move—" That the clerk prepare a statement of the rates payable by that portion of the drainage district which will be benefitted by Mr Carruthers scheme. Also, of the rates payable by the outlying portions of the district which will be drained by open drains, for the purpose of enabling the Board to allocate the amount of the loan which should be expended in the portions of the district as above defined."