DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1769, 21 October 1879, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Christchnrch District Drainage Board was held yesterday afternoon. There were present —Meosrs Tancred ; (chairman), Duncan, Blakiston, Harmar, and Brown. The Chairman made a statement in reference to the Bank account, and read a letter from the manager of tbe Bank as to the loan accouat, which was subsequently read in in'its proper order. On the motion of Mr Brown, it was resolved—" That the chairman's action re the deposit of £90,000 at interest for six months be approvod of." The report of the works' committee was read as follows : The works' committee beg to report that in accor dance with the Board's request they have reconsidered their former recommendation with reference to the drainage northwards from Merivale lane. They have carefully gone into the matter with Messrs B. Cunningham and C. W. Turner, the residents most affected by the decision of the question, and have decided to propose that the consideration of a new line of drainage to the westward of the present drain Bhould be left in abe;aace for the present, and that pipes be laid along the existing drain from Merivale Church lane to the road which they believe is known as Office road. Tie adoption of this plan will meet the present requirements of the case, and Messrs Cunningham and Turner will each contribute a sum of £6O towards the cost of the work. Mr Harman moved the adoption of the report. Agreed to. The engineer reported : I have examined the subject of the complaint of Mr Clabburn, and find that the drain leading from his property through that of Messrs Bidley and Hepburn, ia in good order, but the spot where stagnant water lies in Mr Clabbnrn's land is too low to be drained by it, and should be filled up. Mr W. Summerhays has signed the conditions and tariff for his license to connect private dwellings with the sewers. The contractors for the sewer in the Gasworks road have commenced now, and are making good progress. The plans being finished for a storm overflow sewer down Madras street, I propose to advertise for tenders at once. I have called for tenders for a further supply of 9-inch pipes required to complete the pipe sewers on the north side of the river. C> Napieb Bell, Engineer. October 20th, 1879. In reference to clause 1 of the report, it was resolved to forward the tenor of the Engineer's report to Mr Clabburn, so far as it referred to the latter's complaint. It was resolved to advertise that the Drainage Board having completed the sewers to the north and west of the Avon, applications for connections can be made to Mr Summerhays, Whately road, who is licensed to make such connections. It was also decided to advertise hereafter, the names of other persons licensed to connect; and any question that may arise between the applicant and the licensee as to the mode of connection, or any other matter connected therewith, shall be decided by the Drainage Board. The clauses of the report having been gone through seriatim, the whole report was approved. On the motion of Mr Brown, it was, after somt discussion, resolved that the works committee report upon the advisability of carrying the sewer up the Papanui road as far as the Merivale lane. Mr Nioholl presented a petition from the residents on the Ferry road in reference to a nuisance on section 48, calculated to endanger the health of the locality. It was resolved to write Mr Wilson asking if he would be willing to convey the section at the Board's expense. Mr Harper, of the Ferry road, waited on the Board to ask for £6O compensation for damage sustained by him in consequence of a drain being cut through his property. Some time was taken in considering the circumstances coonected with this claim, and the Board decided to re-open a ditch that had been filled up when the Board's work had been carried out. The question of compensation was not entertained. Mr Wright waited upon the Board in reference to the £lO compensation for entering his property on the Ferry road allowed him by the Board. He thought the amount too low. It was resolved to raise the amount to £ls. The correspondence since last meeting wa3 then laid before the Board, letters being read as follows: From the town clerk of Christchurch, by direction of the sanitary committee of the City Council, asking when it would bo convenient for the Board to receive it to consult aa to the course to be j[taken to fill up tbe drains in the city abandoned by the Drainage Board, an early interview being required. Some discussion ensued upon the different portions of the district concerned, a petition from one quarter being read as to the necessity of action being taken. Mr Harman moved that tho works committee and the engineer arrange for a meeting with the City Council. Agreed to. From the Sydenham Borough Council, informing the Board that they were desirous of forming ; a] footpath on the Windmill road, and to enquire if the Board will object to the Council filling up the drain on the west sido of the road. It was resolved to reply to the effect that the Drainage Board see no objection, provided the Council supply means to carry off the storm water. From the Avon Boad Board, calling the Board's attention to damage caused by an

open ditch on tbe Canal Reserve road, and requesting (should the same be required for dreinage purposes) that it might be piped and covered in, or fenced, in order to avoid accidents. Referred to tho enginaer to report. From the manager of the Bank of Now Zealand as follows :—" Referring to my letter of 7th instant, by mail just to hand, I have received a statement of accounts in connection with the sale of the balance of tho drainage loan, and have now the honor to advise particulars as follows: The tenders received ranged from £lO6 Is to £lO7 10s per ££loo, the average being £lO6 9s Bd. The" gross amount realised was £106,433 17s Gd. The charges (as per statement herewith) amount to £l6lß 18s 'ld; net proceeds, £104,834 19s 2d ; amounts credited to the Board's account on the 2nd instant, £lO-1,620 9s 2d ; this day, £214 10s ; total, £104,834. 19s 2d ; being at the rate of £lO4 113 8d per debenture of £IOO. A further letter from tho same source was read, enclosing a receipt for the £90,000 fixed deposit, which was referred to in the opening remarks of the chairman on the financial position of the Board. From J. B. Ellman, drawing attention to the state of a culvert across Innis road for carrying Swater offj St. Albans creek, the culvert beiDg always more or less choked. Referred to the engineer. From George Coleman, stating that he had been threatened by the Papanui Road Board with legal proceedings for letting house slops run from hi 3 premises into the channels by the main road, and requesting the Board to afford him other means of drainage into Blythe's creek. The Bjard decided they could not facilitate or sanction drainage to the creek named. From R. Coleman, of Knightstown, applying for value of the land taken from his property for widening what is known as St. Albans drain. Referred to Mr Blakiston. From J. Smith, Caledonian road, applying for a license to connect with the sewors as constructed, and enclosing testimonials. A similar application was received from T. B. Mortimer. Both applications were referred to the engineer. In reference to a letter from Mr Wilson as to diversion of Blythe's creek, it was resolved to reply to his communication, stating that the Board had not yet decided on their course of action. The engineer applied for and obtained leave of absence for a few days. A number of communications relating to matters of no general public interest having been dealt with, and the usual statement of accounts having been submitted and passed, the Board adjourned.