DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1885, 9 March 1880, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Drainage Board, took place yesterday. Present—Messrs B. J. S. Harman (chairman), A. Duncan, H. J. Hall, C. R Blakiston, H. J. Tancred, J. V. Ross, and F. Hobbs.

Messrs J. L. Wilson and Flesher waited upon the Board as a deputation from the Avon Road Board respecting the filling in of about ten chains of a drain on the Shirley road.

Mr Wilson explained what had been done by the Road Boerd, and hoped the Board would be able to see their way to fill in the drain in compliance with their wishes. He said he thought, speaking without authority, that if the Board’s engineer considered, after inspection, that the drain required piping, the Road Board would be willing to put them in, and fill up the drain if the Board would find the pipes. After some discussion it was referred to the engineer to bo reported on at the next meeting. The following report was read from the committee appointed to report on the proposed Amended Drainage Act: -rTo the Chairman, Christchurch District Drainage Board.

Sir, —Your committee having gone through the clauses of the Bill introduced by the Hon. E. Richardson last session at ihe request of. the Board, cannot see its way to recommend any alterations to the same, except a slight alteration in the wording. Some of the clauses may appear unnecessarily stringent, but it does not follow that the powers proposed to be obtained would be exercised inlan arbitrary manner. Recent experience has shown that power must be obtained to enforce cleanly habits on the part of some of the inhabitants within the district, otherwise the expenditure of the large snm on drainage will not produce such beneficial results as the Board has a right to expect. The Board considered the Bill, and approved of the verbal alterations which had been suggested by the committee. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Duncan—“ That copies of the proposed Bill be sent to the various Municipalities and. Road Boards included in the drainage dis'trict.”

It was resolved that the required notices be given of the intention to introduce the Bill at the next meeting of Parliament, and the Hon. E. Richardson bo asked to take charge of the Bill, and that the co-operation of the other members representing the district be invited. A letter was read from the Town Clerk of Christchurch, stating that the valuation of the city for the year 1880 amounted to £219,060, exclusive of Christ’s College valuation of £9OO, and desiring to know the rate in the £ the Board intended to strike. The Clerk to the Avon Road Board wrote requesting that the Board would allow any properly qualified men in the district, who might apply, to put in house connections in conformity with the Board’s regulations. The following letter was read from the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Canterbury district: — Land Office, Christchurch, Feb. 26th, 1880. Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 19th inst., representing that the Drainage Board had certain rights on the Canal Re-erve down to Heathcote Estuary, and requesting that in any disposition that might be made by the Government of that reserve, their rights should not be lost sight of. It is, no doubt, within your knowledge that part of the Canal Reserve, consisting of a strip half a chain in width and extending in a straight

line from the N.E. corner of section 464 to the Estuary, was conveyed by the Superintendent of Canterbury in February, 1872, to the City Council of Christchurch for drainage purposes. The Council’s rights and interest therein have since passed by Statute to the Drainage Board, in whom the estate is now vested. The remainder of the Cana! Reserve was conveyed by the Governor in May last to the Heathcote Road Hoard, to bo used as a public highway, and for no other purpose. The description in the deed of conveyance to the Road Board excepts the half chain already referred to. I believe the outfall drain is within the limits of the half chain strip throughout the greater p .rt of its length, but at one part of it a detour is is made, the drain line leaving the straight line and coming hack to it again at a point nearer the Estuary, but tnat part of the half chain strip not occupied by tne drain, having been already conveyed to the City Council, is included in the exception mentioned in the conveyance to the Road Board. I have the honor to he, Sir, Your ohedie-.t servant, John Makshman.

Tho Chairman, Christchurch District Drainage Board. Joseph Bradley wrote, requesting that tho amount due by him to the Board might bo allowed to stand over for a time, as ho had been out of work

The clerk to tho Heathcote Road Board wrote requesting permission to deposit rubbish and break metal on a section of land at the corner of Bnsor’s and the Ferry roads. Permission granted.

The clerk to the Heiithcote Road Board wrote, intimating that they were willing to take all responsibili'y re drain in Smith’s road, if the Drainage Board would carry out the proposed work. Agreed to, and the work to be proceeded with. A letter was read from the clerk to the Heathcnte Road Board, stating that the rateable value of property in the portions of the Road district comprised in the Drainage district was £41,743. A letter was read from the clerk to the Hcathcote Road Board, pointing out the urgent necessity for puttmg in a row of pipes from the Ferry road to the Hoathcote river, by way of Mardon’s road. Referred to the engineer to report upon. A letter was received from Mr O. J. Hawdon, requesting that an open drain at the back of his land, section 137, fronting the South belt, running from Montreal street to

Antigua street, might bo fenced in on account of its dangerous and objectionable nature. It was resolved—“ That the writer be informed that the matter was already receiving the attention of the Board.”

The_ clerk to the Sydenham Borough Council wrote, signifying their approval of the proposed filling up of Jackson’s Creek as soon as the drainage was provided for. A letter was read, stating what the works committee of the Sydenham Borough Council considered should bo done to the Gas Works road to restore it to the condition it was in before the drainage works were commenced. With regard to clause 1, it was resolved to send a copy of clause 2 of Mr Henderson’s letter of March Gth. It was resolved with regard to clause 2 that the level crossing should be restored. With respect to clause 3, the Board considered that the road was in as good a condition as before it was disturbed, but would give two yards of screenings to the chain for the footpaths. Acoountsjto the extent of £2726 2s 9d and £lO3 17a Id were passed for payment. The Board proceeded to the consideration of tenders. Mr Hall asked, in the interest of the ratepayers, before opening the tenders, for an extension of time of fourteen days, for the receiving of tenders. He had mentioned it before the box was opened that any injustice might be avoided.

Mr Duncan thought if the box contained more than two tenders they could not agree to Mr Hall’s suggestion. The persons tendering had complied with the conditions of the Board, and their marked cheques deposited probably amounted to a very large sum of money. In common justice to them, the Board ought to open the box containing the tenders, and if they came within the conditions imposed accept one. The Chairman then opened the box, which was found to contain six tenders. In this connection the Chairman read a letter from Mr G. Thornton, on behalf of Messrs Proudfoot and McKay, of Dunedin, requesting a postponement of the date for receiving tenders for the sewage reservoir, for one week, as their'engagomonta had prevented them from tendering on the date mentioned. Mr Boss seconded the motion of Mr Hall for an extension of time, which was negatived, and the Board went iatp committee to consider the tenders.

On resuming, The Chairman reported that the committee recommended the acceptance of the tender of Mr Parsons.

The Chairman said he wished to point out to the Board that it would be a groat convenience if the Board had a private box at the Post-office for their correspondence.

The Board agreed with the suggestion of the chairman.

It was resolved that Messrs Duncan, Hobbs, and Blakiston, be a committee to calculate the amount of rates which should be levied on each district for the year 1880. This concluded the business of the Board, which adjourned.