DRAINAGE BOARD

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1458, 18 October 1878, Page 2

DRAINAGE BOARD

Fbi;dat, Octobeb 18, The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Christchurch District Drainage Board was i held at half-past ten o’clock. Present: H, J. : Tancred, A. Duncan, H. J. Hall, Boss, ■ Wright, R. J. S. Harman, Blakietor:, jus. diincan’s bepoet, 1 At the last meeting Mr Duncan was appointed, in conjunction with the engineer, to inquire into the claims of Mr Thomas Sager, j who had inade an application for certain ! works to be done in connection with the i i•'i I! J I i.' * f f t* ' sewerage on ins land. Mr Duncan’s report recommended that jthp matter stand over for the present, until the entire scheme of drainage is farther advanced, ENGINEER'S EEPOBf. This report was read as follows : 1. In reference to the drainage of storm water at Fendaltown, referred to by the engineer at the meeting of 20th September, having examined the locality, I think the most feasable way to drain the low land to the S.W. of the road, is, by a ditch on the red line shown on tho tracing attached hereto; a portion of the water might be drained by a ditch cut between E.S. 70 and 94, but this would not obviate the necessity for the first-mentioned drain. I shall have levels taken of both lines of drain, and shall then decide whether both are necessary, 2. I have written to Mr Green, of Papauui, calling his attention to clause 43 of the Drainage Act, and have sent men to clean out his dradm •; 3. I have examined Mr Haekett’s land, where he asked the Boiird to divert an existing drain. Mr Hackett holds bis land under an agreement with Mr J. Taylor to allow the latter at all times to drain through their land. Mr Hackett now wants the existing draim to be diverted so that bis paddocks shall be more conveniently subdivided by the new dfciin t)jau they arc at present by the old one. At the' came time the diversion would' shorten the drain' by abbut four ' dhaibs, ‘ and 1 remoVe it_ from "the road side along which at present it runs in ul deep ditch for a distance of about 4' chain si the Kiccartpn Road Board and Mr Hackett would be principally benefited by the proposed diversion. 4. I submit an estimate of expenditure cm loan and rate account from 30th September till 31st December, 1878. 5. In regard to the drainage of rural districts, there has already been spent on them in improving the drainage about .£3OOO, charged to account of loan. If Mr Clark’s estimate is to be entirely appropriated to sewage works, it will be necessary to spend no more money on the rural districts, there being no funds to meet the expenditure. The contractors for the Ferry road sewer have refused to proceed with the work on account of their receiving orders to repair a part of He foundation in which the concrete has beau damaged by their neglect,.'. If they do not rectify the cause of complaint within seven days after notice has been given them to do so, I won hi propose to cancel tbeir contract and re-let the work, or carry it on under tho direction of the Board. C. Napier Bell, Engineer. Considerable discussion took place on the first clause of the report. It was resolved to have more inquiry made before coming to a final decision, and Mr Hall and the engineer -"nnowered to visit the spot, with power were v-_ " ,v - 4 - *,i, a ATnense would to act. It was stated tuau not exceed £ls. Witli regard to the second clause, Mr. Wright moved' that tho Board will do tho work on condition that the persons intefestM pay half the cost. ‘' r *' Seconded by Mr Wright. Mr Hull moved as au amendment—“ That the Board proceed to carry out the work.” Why he moved the amendment was because he felt that when the work was done, it would bo for the public benefit. The amendment was lost, and the original proposition carried. The Board resolved to postpone tho consideration of tho financial part of the report, and decided not to receive the contractors as a deputation on tho subject of the Ferry road sewer. A letter was written by them, however, on the subject of the foundations in question was read by the engineer, who also read certain correspondence, which had resulted on tho receipt of that communication.

After some discussion, it was resolved to hear the contractors.

Mr ljubbard, the engineer for the contractors, 1 then entered the room, and vs.} about to hear a statement on their behalf. The Hoard, however, declined to hear him, as the contractors themselves were present. Mr Hubbard then laid the statement on the table, and retired after laying a sample of the cement used iu the contract upon the table.

The statement of the contractors was then read, the gist of which was that the cement supplied by the Board was so bad, that it was impossible to make good concrete with it. Mr Wright moved—“ That the course proposed to be adopted by the engineer bo agreed to.” Mr Duncan thought it would be a mistake to act in a hurry, and as the contractors had laid a fresh statement on the table that morning, he would suggest that the matter bo postSoned until the next meeting, Mr Bell to raw up a report on it in the meantime. After some discussion, the following motion was carried :—“ That the action of the engineer be approved, and that the statement of the contractors, Messrs Lake and Board, be handed over to him.” JOINT SUB-COMMITEEES, The report of the meeting of the subcommittees of the Sydenham Council and the Drainage Board as to the works to be carried out by them, was read. It has already been published. The report was agreed to—that portion of it referring to Harman’s drain, as well as the following clauses, being referred to the engineer. DEPUTATION. A deputation of two proprietors of land at Hew Brighton waited upon the Board, to ask that their property might be relieved of surface water by a small drain being cut, to lead into the one public drain in the district. There would be half-a-mile to be maintained, but only a few chains to be cut. It was stated that if Mr Courser would write to the Board on the subject, the wishes of the deputation should bo carried out. The deputation thanked the Board and withdrew. WORKB ON THE NORTH SIDE OP THE AVON. No tenders having been received for these works, the Board resolved to commence them itself. Contracts for certain portions of the works might afterwards be let. The following resolution was agreed to unanimously:—“That the engineer be instructed to proceed with the portion of the sewers north of the Avon, extending from the river Avon, along Salisbury street to its junction with Madras street, thence north along Madras street to the North Town Belt, thence along the belt to Colombo street.” CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Chairman of the Avon Road Board, asking for an appointment to consider matters affecting the Papanui drainage. Messrs Duncan, Hobbs, and the Chairman were appointed a sub-committee to see Mr Wilson. A letter was read from Mr Carleton, of Riccarton, asking, on behalf of himself and others, that the drainage of that part near his premises might be attended to. Referred to the engineer. A letter was read from Mr James Wright, owner of section 145, asking that the drain pojght be cleared out. It was stated that the matter had already been attended to. A similar application was also made by owner of section 151, at Papanui. Referred to the engineer. A letter was read from the Heath cote Road Board, asking that a drain promised to be made in that district by the Drainage Board might be attended to at once. It was resolved that the work should be carried out as soon as possible. The necessary pipes were expected to arrive at the latter end of next month. A letter from a resident of the Harewood road was referred to the engineer, with power to act.

ACCOUNTS. A number of accounts were passed for payment, after which the Board adjourned.