MEETING RE DRAINAGE AT BINGSLAND.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1695, 26 July 1879, Page 3

MEETING RE DRAINAGE AT BINGSLAND.

A meeting of ratepayers was held in the Methodist School-room, Bingsland, last evening, in reference to the question of drainage. Mr Flesher was elected to the chair, and explained the object for which the meeting was called, namely, to discuss the position of the district in relation to the Christchurch Drainage Board. The meeting had been convened in answer to a requisition sent by ratepayers to the Avon Road Board. Mr Kerr referred to the position occupied by Bingsland, saying the district was being neglected by the Drainage Board ; and that whilst other portions of Christchurch were being drained, this portion was being loft out in the cold, although at the same time they were made to pay a rate for drainage. He thought the duty of the meeting was to protest very strongly against such treatment. He moved—“ That this meeting respectfully calls the attention of the Drainage Board to the fact that this portion of the district is receiving no bettor facilities for drainage than was provided under the management of the Road Board, and consequently the heavy drainage rates imposed for the year 1878 79 are felt by the ratepayers to he exceedingly burdensome and inequitable.” Mr Bell seconded the resolution.

The Chairman entered into an explanation of the financial position of the district in relation to the amount of benefit derived from the tax imposed upon it, from which he showed that the district, by taxing itself to a less extent, could provide a better drainage than they were receiving at the hands of the Drainage Board. Mr Lewis animadverted on the necessity of something being done towards the end in view, pointing out that the district was actually suffering from inaction in this respect, the property of the people being in many instances rendered useless by the want of efficient drainage. The motion was then put to the meeting and unanimously adopted. Mr Swan moved the next resolution as follows ;—“That in consequence of the heavy rates levied, the Drainage Board be urgently requested immediately to proceed with such portion of the general scheme in this locality as will afford relief to a large’number of ratepayers who are how suffering serious inconvenience and danger to health through proper facilities for drainage not being provided.”

Mr Hepburn seconded the resolution. Some discussion followed, in which the speakers reiterated the grievances under which the district labored, and one speaker declared that unless something were soon done, he should have to employ boats to get to and from his dwelling. Tho resolution was carried unanimously. Mr Lewis moved—“ That this meeting regrets that tho Drainage Board have declined to comply with the reasonable request of a number of ratepayers to provide a bettor outlet for surface drainage and storm water on the North Avon road, which could be provided at a moderate cost ; and would respectfully urge the Board to reconsider their decision, as great inconvenience and danger to health are experienced through the present condition of this locality.” Mr Kerr seconded the resolution, and in doing so pointed out that an additional hardship on this district was that whilst they received no benefit from new drainage they wore made to pay so much annually for cleaning the old drain. After some remarks from the Chairman,

Tho resolution was put to the meeting and carried. It was also resolved—“ That the members of the Drainage Board be requested to visit the locality, aud see for themselves the necessity referred to.” A vote of thank was accorded to the Chairman, after which the meeting adjourned.