DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2152, 18 January 1881, Page 4

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of this Board was hold at the oflloea, Hereford street, yesterday, at half-past two o’clock. There were present —Mr Hobbs (acting chairman), and Messrs 0, R. Blakiston, J. E. Brown, H. J. Hall, O. Cuff, H. J. Tancred, W. White, andJ. VLRojs. Mr Hobbs apologised for the absence of Mr Harman, and said that gentleman had requested him to act temporarily for him. This being the first mooting in the new year, it became the duty of the Board to elect a chairman for the ensuing term. Oa the motion of Mr Hall, seconded by Mr Guff, Mr E. J. 8. Harman was unanimously re-elected Chairman of the Board. The Engineer's report was then read us follows :

January 17th, 1881. It regard to the state of the Rivera Avon and Heathcote, extra gangs of men have been employed for about a month, and the rivers are now in g<» d order, and the water very low. I find that tho weed Anacharis has at last got a footing in tho Heathoote river, near tho railway bridge. A length of about twelve chains has this weed growing in tho bottom, which will soon spread over tho river, and increase *he cost of clearing. Pipe laying is now completed in Manchester street, and is proceeding in Colombo street North, where another artesian and flushing tank most be provided. A flashing tank and well has been provided to flush Berry street and Clare road. Objections having been made to take a pipe through private ground to convey tho flushing water from one street to tho other, an additional tank 'and well must bo built for Clare road. The contractor for tho main sewers has commenced in tho South belt, so as to hasten the progress of his contract. The work of the sower in Team street East, ns well as tho pumping station, is making good progress. The report was adopted. A letter was read from tho Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating that Mr Packer desired to purchase a strip of land being an abandoned drain, and suggesting that tho Board should advise with their solicitor as to tho title and power of tho Board to sell. Thin matter, together with the opinion of the solicitors to tho Board, cams before the Board at a previous meeting. Mr Onff held that tho land, if disposed of at all, should be sold at public auction, and moved — 1 ‘ That in tho opinion of the Board it is not desirable to dispose of the land in question at present.” The motion was carried, and tho secretary instructed to write Mr Packer and tho Commissioner of Crown Lands communicating the decision of the Board.

Messrs Ward and Co. wrote pointing out that, unless precautions were taken, the drain passing by their brewery on the East belt might affect the foundation of tho tower in connection with tho new building. Tho letter was referred to tho Board’s engineer to report upon. A letter was road from Messrs !MoOonnel and Douglas, solicitors, on behalf of Mrs McGuire, of Phillipstown, claiming £SO damages on account of the stoppage of a road.

The Board declined to admit tho claim. Letters from Messrs Rountree and Washbourne wore referred to the engineer to report. TLo following accounts were passed : Loan account, £1703 7s 6d; rate account, £2OO.

A question arose on tho finances, touching the advisability of having nearly all work done by tender, and Mr White suggesting that many such matters might bo dealt with by a works committee, it was determined that tho question of appointing committees for the year bo dealt with at next meeting. Mr Brown moved, in accordance with notice—‘‘That a committee, consisting of the chairman, Messrs Hall, White and the mover, bo appointed to consider] and report upon what soving, if any, oan be effected in the engineering and surveying staff, as also the supervision of tho works and the day labor employed,” The motion was seconded by Mr Ross and carried, with the addition of Mr Cuff’s name to those on the committee. This concluded the business.