DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1506, 13 December 1878, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

Friday, December 13, Tho usual fortnightly meeting of the Christchurch District Drainage Board was held at half-past ten o’clock. Present — Mess' a Tailored (chairman), Hobbs, Blaluston, A. Duncan, Harman, and Wright, ENGINE Eli ’S REI-OBT. The engineer’s report was read and considered. The first clause in connection with Jackson’s Creek elicited the following resolution by Mr Wright:—“That tho engineer bo instructed to replace the old culvert in Nelson road by earthern pipes, and to see that tho dams and sluices be removed from Jackson’s Creek to section 74.”

In regard to clause 2 it was stated that the Ferry road contract used fifty barrels of cement a day, hut that there was sufficient in hand to finish that contract.

Mr Wright did not think they need interfere with Mr Turner’s contract, but at the same time it would be necessary to buy outside of him.

Mr Duncan thought they ought to have another contract running concurrently.

The chairman said that Mr Turner had tho contract for the supply of tho whole of the cement, but the work was being done quicker than was anticipated, and consequently more cement was required at once than was expected. Mr Harman remarked that they were over 2000 barrels short. They must be supplied sufficiently fast to keep the work going, Mr Duncan said that as soon as the Ferry road drain was done they would have to start with the outfall drain.

The Engineer said there was plenty in the market. He had been offered over 4000 barrels.

After some further conversation, the engineer, who stated that cement was wanted at once, was empowered to purchase 1000 barrels and call for tenders for another quantity of 2500 barrels, 1000 to be in before the llbh of January, and the remainder at the rate of 500 barrels per month. In answer to a question, it was stated they were paying 19s 44 a barrel for the cement. In answer to a question, the Engineer said that at the end of this month the Ferry road drain would he up to Ollivier’s lane. The third clause stated that the progress of tho works north of tho Avon were delayed by the great scarcity of bricks, gravel, and sand. The engineer said tho contractor had orders for more shingle than lie could supply. Mr Harman said that he had often noticed that the works had been stopped. He would move —“ That Messrs Duncan and tho mover be a sub-committee to obtain a better supply of shingle and sand either from private pit or land on which a supply could bo obtained, with power to act.” The motion was agreed to.

Mr Harman thought there were other places from which a supply of bricks could be obtained besides Mr Neighbours. The Engineer said the difficulty was that Mr Neighbours had the contract for the supply of all the bricks that was considered would be necessary. The conditions said that ho was to deliver them as ordered, and that ho should forfeit his deposit if he did not. That contract was for one kind of brick, and if they got another contract, finally it would be found that they would havo a great surplus. Mr Duncan moved—“ That the question of the supply of bricks bo remitted to the same committee, to report to the next meeting of tho Board.”

Agreed to. Mr Wright moved —“ That the Avon Road Board be communicated with, and asked if they will allow the Board to draw their supplies of shingle from the pit on reserve No. 277, near the River Styx.” Tho motion was agreed to. On the motion of Mr Duncan, it was resolved! that the stable being erected on the Board’s reserve, at Mathesou’s road, should be erected so as not to be a nuisance to the public. Tho report of tho engineer was here adopted.

HOUR OF MEETING. Mr Hobbs asked, it certain members of the Board were re-elected, whether they would be inclined to consider a proposition for holding the meetings in the afternoon ? Ho had been asked by a good many of his constituents to stand again, but he found it very inconvenient to attend in the morning. The reasons that had been referred to as inducing him to stand for re-election was that as many as pos siblo of the old members of the Board should remain in olil 'C until the drainage scheme was carried out. Ho should like to have Jan expression of opinion on the subject. Mr Harman would have no objection to an afternoon meeting. Mr Blakislon would also much prefer an afternoon meetir g. Mr Wright said he need say nothing, as he did not intend to stand for re-election. Mr Duncan said any lime would suit him. Mr Hobbs said ho tnanked the meeting for its expression of opinion, which would most likely induce him to stand for re-election. PUBLIC BOAT). Some discussion took place upon the subject of throwing open a portion of (he Board Reserve near 01 liner’s Lane, for the purpose of making it a chain instead of a half a chain road as it is now. It was stated by tho engineer that if this was done it would be a great advantage so far as tho prosecution of tho works now going on was concerned' It was proposed by Mr Duncan —“Thatthe residents fronting tho Board’s Reserve, from tho East Town Belt to Ollivier’s road be communicated with, informing them that the Board will throw open the whole of the reserve as a road as soon as tho sewer is completed, providing they will acquire tho freehold half a chain in width between Duncan’s and Matheson’s, for tho purposes of a public road, so as to make a continuous road one chain wide. Seconded by Mr 'Wright and agreed to. Mr Duncan explained that he was not inforested, in tho matter at all except for tho public benelit. CORRESPONDENCE. A number of letters wore road from gentlemen willing to act as returning officers on the occasion of tho forthcoming election. Their appointment was sanctioned by tho Board. A CAUTION. Mr Duncan asked tire engineer to caution the workmen not to put out any silt; or stuff of any kind on private premises, or t hey might dud themselves involved in litigation. CORRESPONDENCE, A letter was read on behalf of tho Church Property Trustees asking the sum ol ;C!00 for a piece of land required by tho Board for the purpose of a drain on section No. 4. The Board agreed to tho purchase. A Idler was read from Mr Hammond, asking leave to put down a drain Irom an artesian running in to the main drain on the Waltham road. The matter was referred to the engineer with power to act. Mr Cuff waited upon the Beard to ark them if they would toko any steps in tho metier of fencing in the Sandhill reserves, as the cattle that, trespassed there were a perfect nuisance. Mr Harman said they had not. yet got tho Crown grant for the land in question.

It. was resolved that the solicitor of the Board should bo applied to, and that tiro impounding officer be instructed to pound the cattle complained of. Mr Duncan said the Crown grant would not bo handed over to them until the drainage works were completed. PROGRESS OF THE BOARD’S WORKS.

Mr Andrew Duncan said before the Board went out of office they should go round the city end see wlmt progress had been made with the works cf the Beard. They might not have the pleasu-o of again meeting together in that room, and he thought before finally ceasing to exh*. ft would be as well to go round. There might be some evils that had been complained of that they might rectify. There was the stuff at the mouth of the outfall drain that they might be able to utilise, and at the sam > time satisfy those who had grievances on the subject. Mr Hobbs seconded the motion, which was agreed to, and the Board are to make tho visit next Friday at 10 o’clock. ACCOUNTS. The ordinary accounts were road and passed for payment. This was all the business.