DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2106, 23 November 1880, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The Christohuroh Distriot Drainage Board held its ordinary meeting yesterday at halfpast two o'clook. Present—Mr Harman (chairman), Messrs Hobbs, Brown, Cuff, Boss, White, Tancrod, Blakiston, and Hall. The Engineer's report was as follows : 1. In regard to any pavings from the expenses in the Avon district that may be applied to the construction of sewers in Bingsland—There may be a saving of .CLOO per annum when the clearing of the drains is next let by tender, but it is not likely that this will be a permanent saving, as the clearing of the river is likely to cost more than it does at present. It would seam to be impracticable to abandon the clearing of creeks and drains to the persons through whose property they run, as the work would never be done satisfactorily, and it is much more economical to clear them as a whole under a contraot than that everyone concerned should take part in the work. It does not seem any more feasible to leave the clearing of creeks and drains to the Avon Boad Board, unless the rates were also handed over to that Board, in which case the state of affairs would remain unchanged. There are thirty-eight miles of drains to clear, which, with the proportion of the Biver Avon, cost .£515 per annum. The interest on money expended on loan amounts to about £IOSO yearly. 2. On laying the pipe sewer up Taylor's lane heavy springs are found in the trench close to Manchester street. This will necessitate a separate pipe being laid to carry the water of these springs to our storm water sewers, and before doing so the disposal of the surface and rain water, which at present flows down the old bed of Free's creek, must be taken into consideration. The side channels of the street are so laid as to discharge into| (Tree's creek, but if they are to be taken up and re-bnilt so as to discharge to the north belt, the cost of doing so and taking the springs into the north belt sewer wonld be £261. If, however, a 12-inch pipe is brought up from Salisbury street from the end of a line of pipes already laid in that street the cost would be about £225, and the surface and spring water wonld be conveyed to Salisbury street, and into the stormwater sewer. I would recommend the latter course, and that the street side channels be left as they are in Manchester street North. These springs will be used to flush all the sewage pipes in that neighborhood. 3. The contract for cleaning the Avon drains will shortly expire, and I would request the authority of the Board to advertise for tenders to clear them for another year. 4. Mr Parkuraon having made the dam in Jackson's Creek, which the Board authorised,, still complains that he finds no relief from the nnisance caused by the filth from the drainage of house . above him. In mv former report I recommended | that the owner of these premises be required to purify his sewage, or dispose of it on the land. 5. Part of the sewer pipe in Durham street, the joints of which were made with clay, on account of the quantity of subsoil water, was found to be admitting sand, and has been uncovered and the joints made good with cement mortar. I find it impossible to get watertight clay near Christchurch, so I have sent to Malvern for some, to be used in plugging junctions in sewer pipes. 6. Pipes are being laid in Berry street and Clare road. In North street, New and Moa streets and Taylor's lane the sewer pipes are laid, and premises may be connected with them. 7. The works of the mam sewer and pumping station are progressing satisfactorily. 8. I would recommend the Board to complete the purchase of a strip of land at the Sandhills, as shown on the plan herewith, as a means of more easy access to the public road. Also a strip should be taken leading up to the road, sufficiently wide to lay the iron pipes, and make a convenient right-of-way over them. The clauses of the report were considered seriatim.

In reference to clause 1 of the report, Mr Brown asked a question as to the'works upon which money had been expended in the Avon distriot. The Secretary stated that the interest on borrowed money amounted to £lll9 10a lid, and the expenditure £15,933 103 4d. Mr Bell pointed out that a return would he presented at next neeting, and on the motion of Mr Brown that gentleman was instructed to present a statement in detail of the expenditure in different localities. Mr Hobbs also remarked in connection with this clause that he had received a letter from the captain of the Canterbury Bowing Olub, complaining of the obstruction of the river by the growth of weeds. Mr Brown suggested that steps should be taken to enforce compliance with the contract if it was not being properly carried out. Mr Bell said thero had not been sufficient men at work, but the contractor had increased the staff since he (Mr Bell) had spoken to him. The matter was referred to the engineer, with power to act. In connection with the 2nd clause, a letter was read from the Rov. Mr Lingard in reference to a nuisance emanating from a creek passing through St. Luke's ground. Mr Bell presented alternatire schemes to deal with the subject matter of the clause, including that referred to in Mr Lingard'a letter.

The seoond recommendation of the engineer was adopted. With regard to clause 3, the engineer, in reply to the Chairman, said he was not aware of any drains in the Avon distriot in reference to which a saving could be effected. Some discussion took place on this clause. It was resolved to write the different Boad Boards, asking whether, in their opinion, any road drains could be omitted from the lift of contracts. With regard to clause 4 it was decided to postpone aotion in the matter referred to. Clause 5 was approved. In regard to the last clause, it was decided to purchase seotion 680, and Mr Cuff was authorised to negotiate as to price. The report as a whole was then adopted. The correspondence since lost meeting was next considered. In reference to the Bev. Mr Lingard's letter, considered in connection with the. engineer's report, it was resolved to reply to the writer that the matter was under consideration. A letter was read from James Pepper, informing the Board that the creek running through his land on Wairarapa road was in a dangerous condition. A letter was read from Samuel Haokett, of Papanui, oomplaining of the state of a drain in his immediate neighborhood. Mr Hall said he had inspected the places mentioned in the above letters, and had recommended the writers to oommunicate with the Board. The work could be done for about £lO. The Board resolved to carry out the work suggested. The following aocounts were passed for payment:—Loan account, £452 15s 8d ; rate account, £125 8s 6d. ■