DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1850, 27 January 1880, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The ordinary raeeling of the above Board was held yesterday afternoon. Proseat—Mr Haiman (chairman), and Messrs Tailored, Hall, Duncan, Blakiston. The Chairman informed the Board of certain arrangements made with the Bank and their agent in England. The Engineer’s report was read as follows—1. The work of building the snrfnca water sewer np the Windmill road is progressing very satisfactorily. 2. The contract for clearing drains in Riccarton district will terminate next month, and I would request the instructions of the Board on this subject. I understand that arrangements can be made for continuing the contract for another year on the same terms. 3. As the Ferry road and Madras street storm water sewers have diverted most of the water from the outfall drain. I propose to take the earth which is piled up bet we- n the timber drain and the storm water dr.dn on the north side, and with it fill up the latter. This earth, piled up 4ft. hign on a narrow Brace, causes great inconvenience and damage to both drains, and es the timber drain is now sufficient for the drainage of the fields, it would be a great convenience and saving of money to fill the storm drain and reliovo the other of the weight of earth on its side ;wo would a ; so g-1 rid of the maintenance and repairs to the storm drain, which is three miles long, 'ho fencing all along the outfall requires repairing. I think it would bo advisable to repair the fence, and plant qoick hedges along it which, when grown, will take the place of the fences. 4. In reference to the complaint of Mr Roach, of Knightstown, to have a drain on his section removed This drain was opened two years ago on the understanding th it it was to be a temporary expedient to drain a low section at the back of his property. A pipe drain is now laid from High street to the St. Alban’s Creek, and the owner of the land which requires drainage can now drain through his own property to the pipe drain. 5. I have given instructions to purchase some pipoi, in order to carry on the work of pipe laying, which was delayed for want of pipes. 6. I have asked the Engineer for Kailways to lower the floor of the railway culvert at Jackson's Creek, near Opawa. With regard to clause 2 the engineer was authorised to enter into arrangements for continuing the work for another year. Mr Hall moved—“ That a gratuity of £2O be granted to the surveyor of the Riccarton district for his superintendence of the work of cleaning the drains in that district.” The motion was not seconded, and Mr Hall having withdrawn it, gave notice to move the same motion at next meeting.

In reference to the suggestion re quick hedges, it was decided that the engineer should report thereon at next meeting. It was resolved to give notice that tho Beard intended to fill up the drain on Mr Eoach’s land within a month from date.

The report was thou formally adopted. A letter was read from residents of Colombo road, Sydenham, asking that provision should be made for cirrying oil the storm water in that locality. Tho Chairman said this appeared to bo another ease of ignorance as to what tho Board was doing. Mr Lockwood interviewed the Board on the same subject, and frem his representation it appeared that an immediate difficulty was experienced in consequence of the stoppage of a drain pipe. The Board decided to ees to the matter. Tho following report was read from the works committee : To the Chairman, Drainage Board.

Sir, —The committee appoiuted to consider the question of granting licenses to put in connections with the sewers of the Drainage Board beg to report us follows -. They are of opinion—1. That it is desirable that licenses for putting in connections fhou.d bo granted to competent men by the Board. 2. That the engineer must he satisfied as to the competency of any applicant, and should be authorised to apply such test as he may think necessary. 3. That as a guarantee for the quality of the ■work, and as a security for compliance with the conditions under which licenses may be issued, every holder of a license should enter into a bond with one surety, the bond to bo for £ , and to be applicable in its full amount to the case of each separate connection put in by the licensee.

4. That a tr aximnm scale of charges to he made by licensees should belaid down by the Board.

5. That in every case of a connection with the sewers being desired, n permit from the engineer to make such connection should bo indispensable before the commencement of the work.

6. That no connection with a sewer should he used by the householder until a ‘" permit to use” has been granted by the engineer; but that such permit should not operate as au acknowledgment by the engineer that the quality of the work is satisfactory to him. 7. That in tha case of each connection put in by a licensee the guarantee referred to in clause 3 should be in force for months. The committee assume that on the back of the license the general conditions to be observed in carrying out any wark would be clearly set forth.

(iigned) B. J. S. Harman, Chairman. It was resolved to defer the ccnsiderotion of the report till next meeting. In reference to Orescent road Mr Blakieton reported as follows : To the Chairman of Drainage Board. Dear Sir, —In accordance with a resolution of the Drainage Board I have visited the locality referred to by Mr IS. Green at his interview with the Board on Monday last. I am in a position to corroborate Mr Green’s statement as to the action of the Avon Boad Board as regards the filling up, by direction of that body, of the ditch previously existing along the eastern side of the Crescent road, without apparently making any provision for taking off storm water by means of pipes or road side tables. I am informed that it is the intention of the Avon Road Board to fill iu the <-xi ting ditch on tha western side of the said roid also.

I am of opinion, as far as I can jndge, not being an expert or possessing the means «f taking the levels, that the action of the Koad Board will result in the land on both sides of the Crescent road being completely flooded in the rainy season, a state of things which, considering the nature of the soil, cannot fail 10 produce an accumulation of stagnant wator on the sections adjoining the road, resalting in sickness of a serious character. I think the matter should be referred to the Bocal Board of Health, with a view to compelling the Avon Eoad Board to remedy the contemplated evil. As regards Mr Green’s own land, ho could, if he chose, cut a drain to the Edgware road, but the mischief extends bsyond his holding.

Yours, &c., C E. Blakiston

Accompanying the report was a letter by Mr Edmond Green, pointing out certain facts in relation to the Crescent road and its history. It was resolved to send, extracts from Mr Green’s letter to the Avon Koad Board, and the engineer was instructed to report on the advisability of cutting a drain to the Edgware road.

A variety of correspondence referring to matters of no general public interest was read and di-posed of. The statement of accounts laid before the meeting showed —Rate account, £155 2o 3d ; loan account, £935 1 0* 2d. The Board then adjourned.