DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1007, 17 September 1877, Page 2

DRAINAGE BOARD.

Monday, September 17. The ordinary fortnightly meeting was held at 10.30 a.m. at the Board office. Present — Messrs Tancred (chairman), Duncan, Jones, Boss, Hobbs, and Harman. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. engineer’s report. The Engineer reported as follows : 1. I have prepared an estimate of the cost of deepening the main drain along the roadside of R.S. 499, 503, &c., and another for the cost to divert the drains into the old bed off Dudley’s creek, and cut a new drain through R.S. 1102, 1118, with the object of avoiding the inconvenience of having so large and deep a drain beside the road. It will be seen that a considerably less cost will bo incurred by leaving the drain where it is at present. If this be done a strip of land must be acquired from owners all along the road, to give room for the slopes of the drain when deepened, and at that part of the road where it is only 33ft. wide the di’ain should be diverted entirely over R.S. 345 a, and the present drain at this place tilled up, thus restoring the road to its full width. On the other hand, although the diverting of the drain to the proposed line through K.S. 1192, 1118 would cost much more, it would cause less inconvenience than in its present position. The principal difficulty occurs in disappropriating the land. 2. In regard to complaints made to the Board of stagnant pools on R.S. 4(3, north of the town belt, these can be drained by cutting a ditch along the dividing hedge of Mr Gould’s paddocks, leading the drainage into Free’s creeks, at Springfield road. The survey of such a drain would come under the conditions of clause 38 of Drainage Act. The drain west of the Female Refuge has been deepened, and the stagnant ditches at Cashel street and along Stanmore road drained into it. 3. Plan and sections are prepared for the new outlet proposed to be cut for the No. 1 drain, and the work will be submitted for contract at once. 4. The drain through rural section 887 has been properly stopped and deepened and the side protected with fascines of willow, the drain leading into it can therefore now be deepened, thus affording better drainage to the low land along the south part of canal reserve. 5. Mr Kruse has been written to informing him that the Board agree to cut a drain along his north boundary in place of re-opening the old course through his section 251. A drain is being cut in Hagley Park to substitute the present ditch along the Riccartou road. C. Nai’iek Bell, Engineer. With reference to the drain proposed to be cut through Mr Kruse’s land referred to in clause 5, Messrs'Kruse and Godfrey, as a deputation from several residents in the neighborhood,“waited on the Board and explained the course which they would prefer the drain should take. After consultation it was decided that the Engineer should take levels over the land pointed out, and the deputation were told that if it was deemed advisable to concur in their wishes a promise must be given that no compensation for land required will be asked. Further consideration of this clause of the report was postponed until next meeting. On clause 1 being considered, it was resolved to defer the matter until next meeting to allow of the Engineer bringing up full information as to levels and compensation. Regarding clause 2, the Engineer was instructed to carry out the work if Mr Gould would permit a ditch to be cut across his hedge. The remaining clauses were approved. disputed watercourses. The Engineer laid on the table plans of sections of Dr Back’s property, Avon district. These he had prepared at the request of the Board, as Mr Studholme had represented that an old watercourse at one time existed on this property and had been filled up, to his inconvenience and injury. Mr Studholme’s application having been again read, it was decided to yeply that the Board have not sufficient information before them to decide whether the watercourse mentioned goes through Dr Back’s property or not, but if Mr Studholme 'decides to go on with the case, the Board desire to refer him to section 107 of the Christchurch District Drainage Act. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter from Mr G. H. Sharpe, forwarded by the Spreydon Road Board, was read, calling attention to the quantity of stagnant water on land recently held by Mr Hancock on South town belt. Referred to Local Board of Health. A letter was read from Mr D. Baxter drawing attention to the bad state of the open drain running through ms section (G 6) on South belt. Referred to the engineer, with power to act if the work comes within the duties of the Drainage Board. Mr Win. Emmerson wrote asking the Board to place a bridge over the drain leading to his property off South belt behind the gas works tp* enable him to cross with his horses and traps to his property. Work ordered to be carried out. A letter was read from Mr Wm. Sparkes, asking the Board to place a cart and foot bridge over the Ferry road in front of section 104. Referred to the engineer to take such action us he may consider desirable. A petition was read, eignec}, by a number of is CoiemW sos 4 south, (hawing

attention to the flooded state of parts of R.S. 79, caused by the falliug in of an old water course. Referred to the'engineer. A letter was read from Mr J. Manning, Uarewood road, complaining of the want of drainage of his section 226 c. There was no outlet for stagnant water, which had accumulated in a gully near his property except by trespassing on a neighbor’s land. Referred to the engineer to act or report as may be found necessary. A letter was read,from Mr Attwood, Heathcote district, complaining of the large quantity of storm water lying on section 1146. If a drain near his properly were cleaned out, all the storm water would then get away by the outfall drain.

The engineer was instructed to carry out the work, provided Mr Attwood will reimburse the Board the expense incurred. An application signed by Messrs Furhman and Ford was read, asking permission to deepen a ditch on R.S. 176, Waltham district, The necessary permission had been received from the railway engineer. Permission granted, subject to supervision of engineer. A telegram was read from Mr'Clarke, saying he would bo able to leave for Christchurch in about six weeks. EEPOBT. The sub-committee appointed at last meeting on suggestions submitted by the engineer reported as follows : In accordance with a resolution passed by the Board your committee have considered the suggestions of Mr Bell, engineer to the Brainage Board, regarding alterations required in his department, and beg to make the following recommendations : 1. The survey of the Christchurch drainaee district being now completed, the Board should dispense with Mr Webster’s services, giving him three months’ notice from the 17th instant, in accordance with letter of appointment bearing date 14th February, 1876. 2. That no appointment be made to the ofiice of assistant engineer until the expiration of Mr Webster’s engagement, and that the salary of the assistant engineer be fixed at £250 to <£3oo per annum. 3. That of the two assistants at present employed in the office one only should be retained at a salary of £75 per annum. 4. That consequent on the termination of the arrangement with the vai’ious Road Boards to supervise works in the rural districts, it is necessary for the Board to employ a foreman to overlook -works in the rural districts; that it be compulsory for him to keep a horse to enable him to visit the various localities as expeditiously as possible, and that Ids salary be fixed at £2OO per annum, including horse hire. _ That the appointment of foreman to supervise the building of sewers, &c., can be more easily determined when the works are about to be commenced, and the engineer should be requested to bring the matter before the Board again when extra supervision is required. R. J. B. Hakman.

The report was adopted. Mr Duncan said he would like to see a general map prepared during .the next three months for reference, on which all the sections under the control of the Drainage Board would be shown. It was decided to have such a plan prepared. MEETINGS OX- THE BOAED. Mr Duncan’s motion, of which he had given notice, having been amended to suit members residing out of town, was passed as follows: “ That the meetings of the Drainage Board, and also of the Bocal Board of Health, be held on the same days as those on which the ordinary meetings of the Lyttelton Harbour Board are held.” The Board then adjourned.