DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1017, 28 September 1877, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

Friday, September 28. A meeting of the Board was held at 10.30 a.m. Present —Messrs Tancred (chairman) Duncan, Boss, Jones, Wright, and Hobbs. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. EXPLANATION. Mr Wright said that in resuming his seat at the Board after a long absence he thought it his duty to himself and to his constituents to explain that when he removed from Christchurch, though he was aware that no great works could be undertaken until Mr Clarke had made his report, still he had considered at the time whether it would not be his duty to resign his position, but as ho knew that very careful consideration was always given by the Board to all matters connected with the various districts, he felt assured that the Avon district would not sutler through his absence. He would now for the future bo able to give his attention to the business of the Board. engineer’s report. The engineer reported as follows : 1. I have, in company with the City Surveyor, examined the sections near the premises of Mr Wightman, between Durham and Montreal streets ; these cannot he drained towards Durham street until an underground sewer is laid down it it. At present the street channelling is too high, and evidently it cannot be made to suit the irregularities of every section. In this case, however, an agricultural drain pipe laid to the south city drain would drain these sections to any convenient depth if merely as a temporary measure, until permant sewers arc built. 2. I have given notice to the Chairmen of the Eiccarton and Avon Eoad Boards to discontinue at the end of the quarter the arrangements made with these Boards to super-vise clearing of rivers and drains. 8. Mr G. Gould has been written to, in accordance with the instructions of the Board, and his reply is submitted herewith. 4. No action has been taken in reference to the complaints by residents on Fifth street, Waltham, until the owner of the section next Colombo road can be communicated with, as a drain must pass through his section to drain the properties complained of. 5, The owners of properties through which the outlet to No. 2 drain must pass have been served with plans showing the position of the drain. C. Napier Belt. j\'o. 1 clause was referred to the Local Board of Health. Clause No. 2 was approved of.^ In connection with clause 8 [a letter was read from Mr Gould saying he had no objection to a ditch being cut across his property for temporary drainage, provided eight chains of it were piped and covered. In reply to a member, the Engineer said the length of the drain would be twelve chains, and if pipes were laid down the whole length the cost would be £4l. It was decided to accept Mr Gould’s offer, and the engineer was authorised to proceed with the work. With reference to clause 4, Mr Duncan said from enquiries made he had learnt that the section mentioned in the report belonged to a Mr Kennedy, at Greymouth. It was decided to communicate with Mr Kennedy. The last clause of the report was approved. CORRESPONDENCE, A letter was read from ■ the Heathcotc Eoad Board, drawing attention to the state of some land in the district known as Buckley’s land, and asking that it may be drained into the outfall draiu. The engineer was instructed to inspect the land and report as to cost. A letter was read from a number of residents on Green’s road, Papanui, calling the attention of the Board to the fact that a large quantity of stagnant water remained on either side of the land, and asking that some steps might be taken to remove the evil complained of. Referred to the Avon Eoad Board. A letter was read from Mr J. T. Brown and Mr T. B. Craig, calling the attention of the Board to the fact that there was a stagnant ditch between Selwyn street and the Windmill road, which would prove very detrimental to health. Referred to the engineer to report. A letter was read from Mr E. Mitchell, in reply, stating that he would give the land necessary for the drain near the Horse-shoe Lake provided the Board protected the same by erecting a substantial fence on both sides and putting in culverts or bridges where necessary. He would also require the old drain filled in near his house. Consideration - was adjourned until next meeting, A letter was read from Mr E. Haskett, Upper Eiccarton, calling the attention of the Board to a creek which required cleaning. It being stopped caused the water to overflow on to his land and rendered it swampy. Referred to the engineer to report, or take action if the w'ork comes within the duty of the Board. A letter was read from Mr E. Bowbyes, calling the attention of the Board to a petition which had been presented some time back as to the alterations proposed to bo made in *a drain leading to a creek on the St. Albans road. The writer urged the immediate carrying out of the work to prevent fever during the hot season. After consideration the Board decided they could not carry out the work at present. A letter was read from Mr Webster acknowledging the receipt of a communication informing him that his term of office would expire on 17th December. Mr Webster proceeded to urged the necessity for the preparation of a plan of the district, and expressed a hope that the Board would not endeavor to prepare it from the index maps in the office, which were simply used to tide over difficulties. If they were used he desired to record his formal protest against his name being connected with any plan so framed upon such data. His opinion was that it was absolutely necessary for the Board to have a plan of a reliable nature. The engineer said lie would never recommend a complete survey of the drainage district, as he could not see what the Board would do with it even if they had it. The district contained 70 miles and the cost would bo very large. Already they hud the levels of the whole district, and these were the most important. It b;i>3*egol7edi ter reply that the Board do

not consider it necessary to have such a plan prepared as referred to. A letter was read from the surveyor of Avon Hoad Board ashing when the Drainage Board intended filling up the ditches in St. Alban’s lane. It was decided to reply that the Board object to the side drains being filled up until the permanent drainage is completed. TENDERS. Four tenders for excavating Ho. 2 drain wce received as follows: McNamara, £677 16s lOd ; J. Beard, £Bl6 17s 7d ; J. Scanlan, £Bl7 4s Sd ; C. A. Malley, £284 13s 4d. It was decided to accept the tender of C. A. Malley. After passing a number of accounts, the Board adjourned.