DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 995, 3 September 1877, Page 2

DRAINAGE BOARD.

♦ Monday, September 3. The ordinary fortnightly mooting was held this morning at the Board offices, Hereford street. Present —Messrs Tancrcd (chairman), Duncan, Jones, Ross, Hobbs, and Harman. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. engineer’s report. The Engineer reported as follow's : I have examined and had levels taken in the South Addington district, and submit a plan and sections of the means which I would propose to substitute the present drains by a system of

sewers for a populous district whenever the change may be required. A sewer as shown on the plan from the principal new street through to Colombo road, and down it to discharge into the Hoathcote river, would take in the present Wilderness road drain, which drains about 820 acres, and conveys a large quantity of water in summer. This sewer is proposed to be laid at such depths and inclination that whenever the suburb becomes thickly settled all the drainage will now into it as a main sewer. I f it is required at present to make any alteration in the existing drainage, I would propose that only about ten chains of this sewer be bunt, and that it be terminated so as to discharge into the present drain down Piper’s lane to the river. From this portion it can be|continucd both ways whenever thought necessary. As the deepening of the main drain, Avon district, proposed in ray last report will take up about twenty-five feet of the width of the public road and the sides will be continually liable to slip in, I would suggest the route tor this drain shown on accompanying tracing, and that the Road Board be asked to contribute to the expense. This route would be of much greater convenience both to this and the Road Board. I have examined the drains near the otyx, complained of by petition to the Board, and would recommend that the whole length of these connected drains as shown on plan be cleared out, widened, and deepened, and the outlet into the Styx river be widened, deepened, and properly sloped; also that the hedge and bank drain on rural section 1165 be properly opened up, to serve for the drainage of rural section 529, and adjoining country. This is on the land of Mr T. Moore, and I require the special sanction of the Board for the measure proposed. . . The No. 1 drain through rural section 887 is being widened, deepened, and properly sloped, and a large number of men are employed on it. I propose after this is finished to at once proceed to make a new and wider outlet for No. 2 drain, after having served the landowners with plan of the proposed deviation. This work was sanctioned by the Board at last meeting.

[ have the honor, &c., C. Napier Bell. The clauses of the report were considered seriatim, and after discussion it was decided to adjourn that portion relating to a permanent drain in the South Addington district for a fortnight, to allow of Mr Harman in the meantime communicating with Mr Packer, owner of a portion of the laud through which a section of the drain will pass The surveyor was instructed to report on other clauses, and the remaining portion was adopted as read. CORRESPONJJEXCK. A letter was read from Mr C. E. Briggs, Andover road, near Carlton Mill, calling attention to the great inconvenience ho and other residents suffered from want of drainage in that locality. The roads had been newly formed, and no provision made for the disposal of house slops or even storm water, the former remaining in the street until becoming offensive. Eeferred to the engineer to report . A letter was read from Mr Alexander Lean,“steward to Canterbury Public Domains Board, in reply, saying the Board have no objection to the proposed diversion of the drain referred to. On the motion of Mr Duncan, the engineer was instructed to carry out the work. Mr George Wheeler wrote calling attention to the state of the drain which runs through section 159 on North town belt. Referred to the engineer. A letter was read from Mr J. Johnston, Springfield road, drawing attention to a ditch that has been in existence for over fourteen years, for purposes of drainage, in that district, and which now has been closed by a neighbour, thereby damaging the surrounding land and making the water on the writer’s property unfit for use. A letter was read from Mr W. Hinton, Springfield road, calling attention to the same matter.

Both letters were referred to the engineer to report. Mr William Conell, Ferry road, wrote, asking the Board to send men down to let off stagnant water lying in a ditch opposite to his house, and from a contiguous section fronting the railway reserve. A letter was read from Mr H. Washhorne, Riccarton, saying that, in consequence of there being no proper outlet from section 10 (his property), it was much injured through stagnant water remaining on the surface for a length of time. The secretary was instructed to write that a new drain, to be laid flown near the plantation reserve, would relieve that portion of the district from surface water.

A letter was read from Mr D. Kruse, Papanui, in reply, pointing out the best course for the water from Papanui to be drained through his land. A resolution for carrying out the work was resolved upon, and it was decided that previous to its being commenced the engineer should sec what compensation, if any, Mr Kruse would require for allowing the drain to pass through his land. A letter was read from the Head Master of the West Christchurch schools, drawing attention to the (undrained state of the paddock alongside the school. The Chairman said the committee had been in communication with the City Council on this matter. He did not know Mr Cuming’s authority for writing. Letter referred to the West Christchurch school committee.

The town clerk, Christchurch City Council, wrote concerning petition received by that body from ratepayers living in Lower High street relative to the bad state of the drain running from Barrett’s Hotel to east belt. A general opinion was expressed that the City Council should make an enlarged concrete side channel from Madras to Barbadoes streets as a temporary measure for carrying avvue the surface water. The Board regretted they could do nothing in the matter while the question of a permanent scheme of drainage ■was pending, but when this was settled the work referred to would be one of the (test undertaken.

The secretary was directed to send a reply to tliis ell'ect.

A letter was read from the Ucathcote Road Board, forwarding petition received from residents in the Drain road, Phillips town, and asking that the relief sought might be given. On the motion of Mr Jones, the letter was referred to the Engineer, with instructions to afford tompory relief. A letter was read from a number of residents on the Sandhills, calling attention to the large quantity of stagnant water lying on certain sections in that locality. Referred to the engineer to report. A letter, of date 21st August, addressed to the chairman, was received from Mr W. Clarke, engineer, acknowledging receipt oi telegram of 7th August, informing him that the Board accepts the offer, and that he would come to New Zealand as soon as

possible. He could not give the exact date when he would arrive as he was still engaged in New South Wales with the water supply of several towns, after which he would have to go to Adelaide, where he would remain for n fortnight. It would, however, bo several weeks before he could leave Sydney. He did not intend to prolong his stay in Christchurch, as ho was anxious to return to England as soon as possible, and could telegraph when sailing for New Zealand.

A list of persons unable to pay the rate was sent in by the collector, and asking what course he should take with bankrupt owners of properties who have not paid their rates. On the motion of Mr Jones, seconded by Mr Hobbs, the rates of the persons mentioned were remitted. With regard to the second question, no definite action was taken. A letter was read from the Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, referring to interest that will be due on the Board’s debentures on 31st December 'in London, and asking to be favored with a cheque for the amount. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the chairman, SUING FOR RATES. The Chairman read an authority given to the collector for the Heathcote Road Board to sue for the* drainage rate owing in that district. In reply to Mr Hobbs, the Chairman said that this action would be general in all the districts. CLEARING OUT DRAINS. Mr Duncan moved the following motion of which he had given notice —That for the present the clearing of the drains in 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 districts be cancelled. Mr Jones seconded the motion, which was agreed to after remarks from members. Mr Hobbs, in the absence of Mr Harman, moved that the following suggestions by the engineer be discussed : —“ The Board to dispense with a salaried surveyor, and to give out to Mr Webster any survey work it may from time to time have to do ; employing him to make plans in case of disputes or law suits, and other such work proper to a licensed surveyor. “To employ an assistant engineer of experience on engineering works, at. say £3OO or £350 per annum, to assist the engineer in overscering and setting out work, and in giving levels when necessary.” “To employ the present cadet, Mr Lawson, junr., giving him for the next twelve months £75 per annum.” “To employ a foreman to overlook works on rural districts, such as those to be carried out; in the Avon district, and who will report upon the state of the district, receive orders as to works, and superintend them.” “On permanent sewer works to employ competent foremen of works, as may be required from time to time.” The suggestions had emanated from Mr Bell, who was desirous of remodelling his department, and of course they deserved full weight. If no injustice were done to any of the staff, he (Mr Hobbs) would be inclined to support the resolution. As the suggestions contained rather important matters, he would be inclined to refer the resolution to a committee, to report at next meeting. Mr Ross said the resolution was too weighty to decide at once, and he would move “ That it be referred to the chairman and Messrs Wright and Harman, as a sub-committee, to report to the Board.” The motion was seconded and agreed to. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Duncan gave notice that at the next meeting he would move the following motion :—“ That the meetings of the Drainage Board, and Local Board of Health, be held for the future on Fridays, after 10.30 a.m.” The Board then adjourned.