DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2094, 9 November 1880, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

A meeting of the Christchurch District Drainage Board was held yesterday at half paet two o’clock. There were present—Mr R. J. S. Harman (chairman), Messrs Hobbs, Cuff, Hall, Brown, Blakiston, and Tanered. A deputation appointed at a public meeting held in Bingsland last week waited on the Board in reference to the drainage of that portion of the Avon district. Mr Grierson handed to the chairman a copy of the resolutions passed at the meeting in question. I The resolutions have already been published.] He added that he thought the time had come when the ratepayers of the district had a right to expect something more than promises from the Board. He a.so said ho did not bind himself to any_expression of opinion contained in the resolutions. The deputation repeated _ the arguments previously urged, and published when the question was discussed. Mr Blakiston suggested that many of the difficulties presenting themselves might be overcome by a portion of the Avon district being annexed to the city. A member of the deputation said that would not meet the view of the ratepayers of his district, who thought Bingsland should be created a separate district. The Chairman pointed out that the latter suggestion was one for future consideration and future advice.

Mr Grisrson remarked that the mooting held last week spoke very strongly on the matter, and a very strong feeling existed that the district was being neglected. Another member of the deputation pointed out that the ratepayers looked to the Board for relief, being rated up to the maximum allowed.

Mr Flesher said that the money contributed by Bingsland was sufficient to meet the interest and sinking fund of the work proposed. The Chairman nointed out that they must not consider Bingsland by itself —it must be taken in connection with the Avon district as a whole. After some further discussion, Mr Hobbs remarked that the Avon Road Board had left to this Board all the work in the way of clearing channels, &c-, which the city did for themselves at a oast of £ISOO ayear, and the present state of things was the result. Mr Grierson suggested the advisability of this Board obtaining power to impose a uniform rate over the whole of the district, and expend the money thus obtained on that particular locality where it seemed to be most required. Mr Hall said that would be a most unfair proceeding. Mr Flesher asked whether the Board could not discontinue expenditure where it was not so muoh required, and give Bingsland the benefit of it. Mr Hobbs said nothing would satisfy Mr Flesher but on army of officials to carry out the whole of the work simultaneously in every part of the district. Mr Flesher submitted that Mr Hobbs exaggerated, and that the same argument might be made to apply to the appointment of medical officers. A conversational discussion ensued, and at its conclusion, The Chairman of the deputation thanked the Board an-1 withdrew, after receiving an assurance from Mr Harman that their representations would be duly considered. The Engineer’s report was read as follows— November Bth.

1. I have procured the consent of owners to open a ditch on the west of the Crescent road to drain adjoining sections, the ditches at tha_ sides of Crescent road may therefore be filled in; it is nevertheless necessary that proper side channels should be formed, as the front part of the properties cannot in every case be conveviently drained to the ditch at the back of the sections. 2. The Avon Road Board ask that St. Albans creek he straightened where it crosses the newly formed part of Edgware road, in order that it may be pat through a culvert. I submit my letter to the surveyor of that Board, and his answer, and request instructions on the subject. 3. In regard to the nuisance said to exist on the land of Mr Dearsley, at Newton’sroad, Papanui, I would recommend that he be allowed to fill in the old gully, which retains the stagnant water complained of. Mr Dearsley also asks for better drainage for his paddock of about four acres ; this involves lowering the pipe under the railway, and deepening about 40 chains of ditch : the cost would be about .£ll. This is referred to in his letter to the chairman of the Local Board of Health of 25th September, 1880. 4. In regard to the request made to the Board to have Anthony’s drain filled in as far as Moa place, I would recommend that for the present it be filled in no further than the north side of New street; also that Mr Anthony be required to use the sewer pipe for drainage of slope from his premises, and to discontinue discharging the same into this drain. 5. I submit a minute of Mr J. Webster’s, made when he was acting as surveyor to the Board, which explains the action of the Board in regard to the drain for which Mr Roach, of Enightstown, claims compensation, and upon which I was directed to report. 6. The contractor for the Carlton terrace stormwater sever having abandoned the work, I have directed that it be finished by the Board at his cost. 7. The work of the pumping station and main sewer is making good progress. 8. It is now necessary to prepare plans for the drainage and levelling of the part of the Sandhills reserve which is to be used for the discharge of the sewage, and I am getting the requisite levels and surveys made for this purpose, as well as for laying the iron pipes from the pumps to the Sandhills. C. Napieb Bell, Engineer. The report was considered clause by clause. In reference to clause 2, on the suggestion of Mr Onff, it was resolved that the engineer be instructed to prepare an estimate of the cost of the work, and that the Board bo informed that on the amount being guaranteed by them the wort would he undertaken. On clause 3 the Board resolved to do the work on the estimated'eost, about £ll, being paid in by Mr Dearsley. Regarding clause 5, it was resolved to forward to Mr Roach the substance of an official report on the subject. The remaining clauses were passed, and the report as a whole approved.

Mr E. Barker wrote applying that some pipes taken out of a culvert on the New Brighton road might be left for future use. The letter was referred to the engineer to report. From Mr Joseph Taylor, drawing attention to the defective state of a drain running through his land, B.S. No. 2360. On the motion of Mr Hall, it was decided that the engineer be instructed to carry out the work proposed. From Mr T. Dalton and others, complaining of a drain from New street to Salisbury street, which was in a condition calculated to impair the health of the neighborhood. The Board were unable to close the drain at present.

Mr Hall suggested that the Board should cover in a drain at Addington, near the Government workshops. He pointed out that the matter had been delayed owing to the consent of certain absentees not being obtained. It was resplved to adopt Mr Hall’s suggestion. The financial report was as follows—Loan account, £1409 Os 3d j rate account, £228 8s lOd. The Chairman again introduced the subject of Bingsland drainage. After consideration, Mr Bell was instructed to see what could be done towards reducing the expenditure in the Avon district. The Board then adjourned.