DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1618, 28 April 1879, Page 2

DRAINAGE BOARD.

A special meeting of the Drainage Board was held this morning at 10 o’clock. Present — Messrs Tancred (in the chair), Hall, A. Duncan, J. G. Brown, J. V. Ross, and R, J. G. Harman,

The meeting had been given notice of at the last ordinary meeting of the Board, the object being to take into consideration the striking of a rate to cover expenses during the current year. At the request of the Chairman, the Secretary read the resolution calling a special meeting for Monday, the 28th, for the striking of the annual rate. Mr J. G. Brown said the question was raised in reference to a report expected from the finance committee, and on the last day, some of the members being absent, it was adjourned. The finance committee, however, had not met since, and this meeting was called specially for the purpose of allocating rates and defraying expenditure in certain sub-districts. Ho might also state that the advice of the Board’s solicitors had been obfabled as to the Board’s treatment of works, and the following was the letter received from Messrs Garrick and Oowlishaw : Wc arc of opinion th it after the provision for the sinking fund the Board can appropriate their funds, whether arising from rates or borrowed monies to any works either of construction or maintenance authorised by the Act. full discretionary power is given to the Boaxd to determine the necessity of any work, and out of what funds it shall be discharged, but we do not think the Board has power to decide once and for all time that maintenance shall bo defrayed by rates. This question will bo a recurring one, and must be decided whenever the expenditure ia contemplated. Ho desired to see that no injustice should be done to such districts, and ho was afraid that injustice was done to some of them. He proceeded to show how this was the case, contending that the maintenance of those works in sub-districts should not be regarded as recurring work. Ho thought the expenditure •hould bo paid out of borrowed money, and that a rate should bo levied throughout

the d strict t o meet tho interest and sinking funds. Upon the present system tho sub-districts stood at a distinct disadvantage in relation to the city, in proport'otr to which they had nothing like a reasonable proportion of the borrowed motley. If it had been thought by the Legislature that the whole of tho borrowed money should be spent in one portion of tho district, whilst other districts were specially taxed for th” maintenance of recurring rates, if this had been contemplated the Drainage Act would not have passed the Legislature. He did not begrudge the expenditure of £20,000 of borrowed money in Christchurch city. It was highly necessai y that the money should be expended for the prosecution of very desirable works, but ho was anxious that the other districts should not suffer in consequence. He also suggested that the drainage works in these districts, ii stead of being temporary in character as at present, should be permanently made. He concluded by moving the following resolution—“ That for this year all expenditure for works be defrayed out of loan, and that only interest and sinking fund accounts, together with office expenditure, be defrayed out of rales to be levied.”

A good deal of discussion ensued. Mr 8011, in answer to Mr Ross, stated that all the drains in the suburban districts were constructed out of loan, only the maintenance being charged against the rates, Tho majority of the members spoke in opposition to the motion. Mr A. Duncan moved an amendment as follows “That the system upon which rates should be levied during this year be that recommended in the report dated August 22nd, 1877 ” The amendment was carried, and the Board then adjourned.