DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1661, 17 June 1879, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

Monday, June 16. The usual meeting of the Board was held at 2.30 p.m. Present—Messrs H. J. Tancred (chairman), H. J. Hall, A. Duncan, R. J. S. Harman, O. R. Blakiston, and J. Y. Ross. knchnkbb’s ehpobt. The Engineer’* report was read as follows : 1. I have received replies to lei tor a which I wrote to owners of property through which it is proposed to lay a line of pipes to drain Free’s creek to the river near the Carlton Hotel. Only one of these persons will consent to allow the pipes to be laid without claiming compensation. I think it would bo advisable not to lay this line of pipes at present, as there are no more twelve inch pipes than will be required in the city. 2. I have given instructions to shift the line of fence on the drain through Mr Kruse’s land as near the edge of the drain as possib’e. There is only a fence on one side of it, which was erected at the request of Mr Kruse. 3. I have inspected the Addington drain at the site of the Railway workshops, and find that it would be very costly to cut a new drain in a north direction along the boundary of the west town belt, and a row of fine trees would need to Ido cut down. It would probably bo cheaper to divert it down beside the Lincoln road, but this would have the disadvantage of permanently draining through the Hospital ground by a very deep cutting. In any case I think it would not bo desirable to divert or deepen the creek during the winter months, and in the meantime I have given directions to have the creek thoroughly cleaned ont, and when this is done it is probable that the railway authorities will find that it is capable of carrying away all the drainage they require. 4. In regard to ordering a farther supply of pipes, I find that Mr C. W. Turner has shipped a larger number than be contracted to supply to the Board, and he offers the surplus at the same price. I would recommend the Board to take these pipes, and I will report again on the subject when I get a list of those to come. 5. I have received several offers of cement at cheap prices. The Board has at presenter to arrive 1100 barrels. I do not think this supply will bo used up in lees than four or five months. 6. I submit offers which I have received for a supply of shingle and sand, and would suggest that the Board authorise me to make the most favorable arrangements possible for a continuous supply during the construction of the main sewer. The contract with Mr J. L. Wilson is completed. I have, Ac., C. N. Bell, Engineer. The report was considered seriatim On clause 1 Mr 801 l said there was a way of draining which would if carried out escape these sections. By taking a drain through the loop formed by Jackson’s Creek, Free’s Creek might bo put into Jackson’s Creek, near St. Alban’s lane. Mr Duncan was of opinion that the matter should stand in abeyance for the present, as the owners of property would perhaps see that it was to their advantage to have the drain taken through their properties. It was resolved that the matter stand over. On clause 2 it was resolved that Mr Kruse he informed that the Board did not intend to take more land for the drain than was fenced

On clause 3 Mr Duncan pointed out that the Government had sunk 4in. wells there, and might continue to do so. It was not fair on the ratepayers that they should be called upon to provide drainage for this water which had not come there naturally, the more so as Government paid no rates. He would suggest that the engineer see Mr Lowe and find out what the Government required. It was resolved that the engineer see Mr Lowe on the subject. On clause 4 it was resolved that the Board consider the matter when the invoices of pipes arrived. Clause 5 was considered satisfactory. On clause 6 it was resolved to leave the matter in the hands of the engineer, correspondence. A letter was read from the Sydenham Borough Council, calling attention to the filthy and unhealthy state of the south branch of Jackson's creek, as reported on by the inspector of nuisances for the borough. The Engineer said that the inhabitants were in the habit of draining their houses into the creek, as there was no other drainage. All they could do was to keep the creek as clean as possible. The engineer was requested to take action in the matter, A letter was read from the Sydenham Borough Council respecting the fencing required in Piper’s lane, explaining that the culvert through which the water along Piper’s lane passed to Colombo road required repairs. It was resolved that the Sydenham Council be referred to the agreement as to culverts arrived at between the Drainage Board and the Borough Council as contained in a joint report arrived at by both bodies. A letter was read from a number of residents in the Heathcote district, near the estuary, asking the Board to put down close boarding on each side of the flood-gate on the tidal creek running through their land to prevent the water making a channel through it as it now did. Mr Mercer waited upon the Board with reference to the letter, and explained the matter. Mr Duncan thought that all the Board could do with regard to this was to allow the residents the advice of the engineer. The Board could not grant the timber, as they had no power. Mr Mercer said that if the Board did not do the work those interested would have to do it, because unless there was some protection the land on each side was liable to be flooded. Mr Duncan thought the Board could not do anything beyond affording the residents the benefit of the advice of their engineer. It was resolved —“ That the engineer be requested to advise with the residents as to the work to be carried out to prevent the overflow of the water, A letter was read from Mr A. M. Ollivier, asking the Board to undertake the work of opening up the creek near his property, and adjoining Bell’s creek, as the water was accumulating on the sections adjacent. The secretary was instructed to reply that the men in the employ of the Board were now engaged lowering the first culvert from the river, and would work up the creek. A letter was read Mr C. Newman, calling attention to the fact that he hod laid down pipes on R S. 148, sec. 13 and 14, Springfield road, to carry off the storm water, and that sidewalks had since been made which had blocked up his drain, and flooded his section. He therefore asked that the Beard would attend to the matter at once. It was resolved to advise Mr Newman to apply to the Koad Board for permission to lay pipes under the road to take off the storm water.

A letter was read from Mr W. Rountree, Upper St. Albans, asking the Board to give him the timber requisite for a bridge across the drain running through his land on section 1048. Ho offered to give the labour and the carting if the Board would give the timber necessary. It was resolved to inform Mr Rountree that the Board had no power to grant the request, as it was a natural watercourse. A letter was read from the Avon Board drawing attention to the open ditch cut by the Board in the side channel, Victoria street, Bingsland, and asking that it might be piped with as little delay as possible, as the Board objected ditches being left open on the public roads. This matter was referred to the engineer. SEWAGE PIPES. The following letter was read from Mr Clark:— London, 24th April. Sir, —I have the honor to acknowk lere receipt of following telegram : —“ Order sewage pipes as advised in yours 27th February. Plan by mail. Bank arrangements made.” I shall at once proceed to obtain price and make arrangements for about 700 tons of 24in pipe for conveying the sewage from the pumping station to to the Sandhills, a distance of about 130 chains, leaving the exact length and any special castings to be arranged on receipt of the plans. The price of pig iron just now is increased about 6s per ton, owing to an extensive strike of miners in the North. There is, however, a prospect of speedy settlement. Pending this, I shall not place the order immediately. I have, 4e , W. Clvrk. Chairman Christchurch District Drainage Board. The letter was received as satisfactory. WORKS COMMITTEE’S REPORT, The following report was read from the works committee:— In reference to the list of drains in the Riccarton district which has been submitted to the consideration of the works committee, the committee beg to recommend that Nos. 1,8, 9, Mil 10 bn added to the Board’s schedule. The

The report was adopted, sad the secretary directed to ask the chairman of the Ricoarton Road Board to forward a tracing of drain No. 4, HIOCAHTON DBAINS. A letter was read from the Riccarton Rood Board, asking that a drain through Maskow's land, section 70, should be included in the list of extra drains now under consideration of the Drainage Board. It was resolved that the engineer call upon Mr Maskew on the matter. WILDEBNBSS BOAD DEATH. The committee appointed to inquire into the circumstances of the filling up of the Wilderness road drain reported that they had visited the ground and found that one of the purchasers of R.S. 76 had filled in the ditch which formerly received the water from the Lincoln road drain on both sides of the road. A culvert connecting the two drains had also been filled up. An additional obstruction to the water also came from the fact of laying off roads which crossed the drains. The committee were of opinion that whatever may be the legal bearings of the past transactions, it was imperatively necessary that the ditch which had recently been filled up, as well as the culverts across the road which has been stopped up, should be immediately re-opened, otherwise the country to the north side of the Lincoln road will have no outlet for the water. After same discussion, Mr Duncan moved —That the report be adopted.” The motion was agreed to. Mr Duncan then moved “That the engineer be instructed to open the culvert and drain at once to afford relief, and to endeavor to find out who were the parties stopping up the culvert.” Mr Ross seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Duncan then moved “That the engineer be requested to furnish the Board at its next meeting with a plan of the line of drainage he proposes to carry off the water in future.” Mr Hall seconded the motion, which was carried. ACCOUNTS, Accounts to the amount of £4360 Is Id were passed and ordered to be paid. SPECIAL MEETING. It was resolved that a special meeting of the Board be held on Monday next at 10 30 a.m., to consider the amendments to the Christchurch District Drainage Act, 1875. The Board then adjourned.