DRAINAGE CARD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1980, 29 June 1880, Page 3

DRAINAGE CARD.

The usual fortnightly meeting of this Board was held in the offices, Hereford street, yesterday afternoon at half-past two o’clock. Present—The chairman (Mr Harman), and Messrs A. Duncan, H. J. Hall, F. Hobbs, J. V. Ross, O. R. Blakiston.

A deputation waited on the Board in reference to river section No. 48, Wilson’s Nursery, asking the Board to lay pipes for the purpose of draining a swampy piece of ground which was covered with water during the winter season. Tho application was granted,, tho Board deciding, on tho recommendation of Mr Bell, to take the pipes as nearly as possible direct to the Ferry road drain.

A deputation from Edgwaro road waited on the Board to apply for surface drainage ot sections in their occupation. The position was considered by the aid of a plan, and the engineer was instructed to inspect and report to the next meeting. The engineer’s report was read as follows : I beg to report on the subject of the drainage of Cashel street oast and the Female Refuge, through the property of Mr Collier. The drain complained of has been in existence many years, serving the same purpose as at present—that is —to drain the locality and neighbourhood of Cashel street east. It has been cleaned out and deepened by the Board from time to time, chiefly for the convenience of the Female Eefuge, but also to drain the road called Cashel street east, which at present has no other outlet. As to Mr Collier’s complaint of workmen employed by the Board entering his property to clean out the drain, and his notice to the Board to lay pipes in the drain at once, failing which he will act on his own responsibility _ in the matter, I submit opinion of the solicitors on the interpretation of the Drainage Act, given June 25th, 1877. There are many drains in the Drainage District similarly situated to this one, and if people were to close them at their discretion much confusion and damage would be caused by such proceeding. At the same time, if any such drain is under the control of the Board, I do not think it is advisable in all cases to comply with the demands of persons to have it covered or removed whenever they think fit. In this instance the surface drainage must be re arranged when the deep sewer is finished ; it may then be carried in the old brick sewer to the outlet at the timber drain near the pumping station, or to the Ferry road. New streets are being laid out near the Eefuge, and the drainage might be diverted into one of these. Mr Collier would then be relieved of the drain through his land. Pipes might be laid in the present ditch through Mr Collier’s land leading into the deep drain on the north side of the old brick sewer, but they would probably have to be taken out again when a better line of drainage is provided. This would be a considerable expense, and some loss of pipes by breakage would be incurred. If the surface drainage of this locality is to be carried in the old brick sewer to the timber drain near the pumping station, the old sewer must be repaired and laid at a steeper inclination, but it would be impossible to do this at present, as the ground will be greatly disturbed in building the deep main sewer to the pumps. I have had levels taken on the new building ites on Deans’ estate. From these it appears that a system of,' side channels in the roads ailing towards the West belt would be the most suitable method of surface drainage, and would be better than a pipe sewer in Edinburgh street, which would not be of much use unless all the roads were out down to fall towards it, and then it would only serve to take the drainage from the west of Edinburgh street, as the general fall is towards the West belt. Edinburgh, Kilmarnock, and railway approach might with advantage be lowered in places where there is a rise in the road opposed to the fall required to be given. The whole of the drainage would discharge into the drain in the Park, and when these side channels were formed the deep creek running through the sections might be filled up. I submit a plan for a main sower through Bingsland, to take in the Bingsland Creek and the water in the eastern end of the North belt drain, with several lines of pipe to drain the surrounding streets. This system of storm water sewers would cost about £2600, and even with this system the township will not be conveniently and efficiently drained until the streets are lowered and proper side channels constructed to lead the water into the sewers. In some places the roads are 2ft. 6in. to 3ft. above the sections, and the roads should be formed to the proper height before the sewers are laid. In recommending the expense of a main sewer instead of using the Bingsland Creek, I have in view that requests will ere long be made to have the creek filled in, and that the sewer being at a much greater depth than it is possible to deepen the creek to, the drainage to the sewer will always be more capable ot extension to greater distances than any system of drains leading into the present creek. _ At the same time, the water in the large drain in the East belt will be turned into the new sewer, which will serve to keep it clear, and will always bo useful for fire engines, as there is a large quantity of spring water discharging down the East belt drain. It will be seen from the plan that the sewer will pass through a short distance in private land, but it will be so deep as not to affect the properties, and a few manholes only will be necessary for inspection. This sewer will, no doubt, tap numbers of springs, which will have the effect of keeping the land dry. If the Board decide to lay down these sewers for , storm water, X think it would be advisable not to lay sewage pipes for a few years, until the town be more built up and the roads properly formed. In regard to the question of shifting St. Albans creek, which Mr Coleman requests the Board to do, I have already reported on this subject on April sth, 1880. Mr Coleman has been compensated by the Board for a strip taken from his side to slope the banka. He now wishes the Board to shift the creek into its old supposed position, when it was a swamp dOor 50 links wide. It appears that the existing documents do not define the old creek very definitely, and the survey department know nothing about it, as the sale plans were not recorded. Pipes are being laid in Crescent road to take surface drainage above High street, as directed by the Board. The works of the Madras storm _ sewer are very nearly complete, a small portion of the brick arch being still unfinished. All the water from the town is at present turned down this sewer, in order to lessen the cause of complaints made by the school committee at the Ferry road. A large number of springs was tapped in the construction of the Madras sewer, which greatly augments the water flowing through it, and it is available all along its course for the use of the fire engines. The wooden cylinder for the pumping tank has been sunk to the surface of the water, and the contractor will proceed to lay the concrete bottom when ho has levelled off the sand and taken out the beams which obstruct the work. In reference to clause 1 of the report, Mr Duncan explained the position of affairs as they stood, remarking that the difficulty which had arisen appeared to have been chiefly caused by a want of courtesy on the part of the engineer in writing to Mr Collier as to the drain in question. The Board then proceeded to consider what should be done, and it was resolved “ That the chairman communicate with Mr Collier, and that the Befuge authorities be written to informing them that the Board will lay a pipe drain if they would find the pipes.” In reference to clause 2, the Board decided that the creek be abandoned from the station approach road to Biccsrfcon road, and that Mr Moling bo informed accordingly. The engineer’s proposal was approved. Regarding the drainage of Bingsland, it was resolved to send a copy of the engineer’s scheme to Mr Grierson, with an intimation that the Board would be glad to confer with a deputation from Bingsland on the subject. The report as a whole was then approved. Correspondence since last meeting was laid before the Board, and among the letters received were the following : From the chairman of the Avon Boad

Board, applying for payment of £1 per chain for damage by the engineer to the Drainage Board. A note was appended to this by Mr Bell, stating that he made no such arrangement, neither did ho recommend it.

The Board resolved to reply that they should not accede to tho request, hut would put the road in the same state of repair as previously. Prom the Avon Board, applying that pipes be laid on the Papanui road as soon as possible. Besolved that tho request be complied with. From the Hon. J. T. Peacock, complaining of the state of a creek running through his property. The engineer was authorised to consult with Mr Peacock on the cause of complaint. From F. Mulholland, requesting payment of 30s for damage done to hia cab through drainage works in Madras street. The engineer remarked that the contractor was liable.

The Board resolved to- pay the claim, and stop tho amount out of money due to Mr Barrett, the contractor.

After some minor matters had been disposed of, tho following report was road : The sub-committee appointed to examine into the complaints of Messrs Preston and Abbott, and the application of Mrs Watson for the filling up of Fret’s Creek through her land, beg to report, that after examination of the groand they decided that Mr Preston’s demand of .£SO by way of compensation be paid ; that Mrs Watson’s application should be granted. They also decided that it was desirable to lay the pipes along the line cf the old drain, as fur as possible. (Signed) R. J. S. Haeman. The report was approved. The following accounts wore presented and passed :—Rato account, £B6 10s ; loan account, £296 8i 9d. The Board then adjourned.