DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 983, 20 August 1877, Page 2

DRAINAGE BOARD.

Monday, August 20. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Christchurch District Drainage Board was hold +it 10.30 a.m. Present —Messrs Tancred (chairman), Dali, Boss, Duncan, Hobbs, Jones, and Harman. DEPUTATION. Mr J. L. Wilson, of the Avon Road Hoard, waited on the Board to lay before them a proposed extension of the district of the Drainage Board, so as to tube in the River Styx. He pointed out that the river was a very great expense to the Avon district, and they did not think that the Road Board should be saddled with the expense. The river was a watercourse, draining a large extent of country, and therefore they thought it was only fair that the Drainage Board should extend their district and take it in. Owing to the inability of the Board to keep the river clear it had got into a very bad state. Mr Duncan asked what amount of subsidy the Road Board got from the General Government ? Mr Wilson said £1 for £1 on rates collected. Mr Duncan then said—Would the Board pay over to the Drainage Board a certain proportion of that £1 for £1 as a kind of subsidy ? Mr Wilson was not prepared to say this. He desired to point out that the river was a watercourse, and one which drained a large amount of the district. Mr Hobbs asked what was the amount received by the Avon Road Board from the General Government ? Mr Wilson said that they had received about £2OOO for six months. But he did not see what this had got to do with the question of the extension of the district. Mr Jones thought that the Road Board should do the work themselves and impose a rate for the cost. Mr Wilson did not see that the Road Board had anything to do with drainage. If they made their roads that was all they iiad to do. The Chairman said lie thought if they carried out this extension the citizens would be paying for the work done for the inhabitant, s of this district. Mr Hall thought that by and bye when the rates for deep sewage came to be imposed, the inhabitants would find that they had to pay a heavy rate, one which would be greatly in excess of what it would cost to keep the river clear. It might to be to their advantage to get t he [Drainage Board to take over this part now while rates were low, but when the rates grew larger they would find that it was not to their interest. Aft er some further conversation Mr Wilson retired, BUBAL DRAINAGE. The Engineer brought up a report as to the

works ho proposed to carry out to drain the rural districts. The plan proposed dealt with the Avon district only for the present. After some discussion the report was received and adopted. engineer’s report. The report of the engineer was read, and considered. As regarded the drain from Mr Studholmo’s property it was decided to act in accordance with the advice given by the solicitors of the Board, and that notice be given to the neighboring proprietors. The report, as a whole, was then adopted. overseers of avorks. Mr Duncan gave notice of the following:— “ That for the "present the clearing of the drains of the whole of the drainage district be under the direct supervision of the officers of the Drainage Board, and that the arrangement made with the surveyors of the Avon, Riccarton, or other Boards be cancelled.” MR CLARKE. The Chairman, in answer to a question from .Mr Harman, sn id that they had communicated with Mr Clarke accepting his offer, Mr Hall said he hoped that on Mr Clarke arriving here the members would abstain from putting before him their ideas as to a drainage scheme, leaving Mr Clarke free to put before the Board the scheme that he thought best quite uninfluenced by any one. The Chairman said of course this was what Mould suggest itself to the members of the Board. CORRESPONDENDENCE, A letter was read from the Riccarton Road Board, calling attention to the dangerous state of the Park road drain, and asking the Board to close it up and make the drain inside the fence. It was resolved that the work be done, subject to the permission of the Domain Board, HAREAVOOD ROAD, A letter was read from Mr Chick stating that he should close the drain near his premises. It was resolved that Mr Chick be referred to a reply sent by the Engineer to him. MR CARRUTHERS. A letter was read from Mr Carruthers enclosing his account of balance due to him for salary, premium on plans, and 1 per cent, on amount, amounting in all to £lO4l 13s Id. This made a total amount to be paid to Mr Carruthers of £1750. Some discussion ensued, and ultimately Mr Duncan moved—“ That the amount to be paid for commission be reduced from £SOO to £200.” Some further desultory conversation took place, and it was ultimately left to the chairman to arrange. BUCKLEY’S ROAD. A letter was read from tjic Heathcote Road Board, pointing out that Buckley’s road was in a very bad state, and calling attention to several other works which were necessary to be done. It was resolved to refer the matter to the engineer to carry out. FERRY ROAD. A letter referring to the bad state of tbe drain on the Ferry road, in front of the Star Brewery, was directed to be handed over to to the Local Board of Health. ST. ALBANS. A letter was read from certain residents of St. Albans bringing under the notice of the Board the nuisance caused by a large quantity of stagnant water lying about in the district. The matter was referred to the engineer, with power to act. PAPANUI. A letter was read from the residents of the upper part of Papanui, near the Harewood road, calling attention to the want of drainage of their property. The matter was referred to the engineer to report at next meeting. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £l2B 18s 4d were passed and ordered to be paid. The Board then adjourned.