DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2234, 26 April 1881, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Christ church District Drainage Board was held yesterday afternoon, at half-past two o'clook. Present —Mr R. J. S. Harman, chairman, and Messrs H. J. Tanored, W. White, Cuff, H. J. Hall, J. V. Ross, T. Hobbs. The Chairman, in reference to the cost of sewer connections, said—l noticed that on tho occasion of the address to his constituents by Mr B. C. J. Stevens, one of the members for Christohurch, on the 21st instant, a queslion was asked of him by a ratepayer as to whether Mr Stover g thought it right that a small holder should be compelled to put down a connection from his house to the main sewer at a cost of somo £2O to £3O. As the oost mentioned here is moßt extrovagantly beyond that usually paid, I have thought it as well to state that in ordinary caces the cost of connections varies from £4 to £6.

The report of the engineer was as follows:

April 25fch, 1881. Mr C. Cnff and I have conferred with the chairman of tho Heathcote Boad Board on the subject of laying pipes in the road B S. 326. It is objected that the road is too narrow to allow of a. raised footpath on it, and therefore it will be necessary to take a strip from private land and widen the road by a quarter of a chair, which the chairman of the Boad Board considers sufficient; he also insists on the advantage of having the feotpath on the west side. Under these circumstances I have written to the steward of the Church Property Trustees, asking if they would agree to give a quarter-chain strip on condition of the owner on tho opposite side repaying half of the value of the same instead of giving a quarter-chain strip also. After fixing the exact position of tbe pipe in the road, I shall write to the steward of the Church Property Trustees giving him notice that the Board intend to lay the pipe through R S. 347. 2. I have examined the condition of the old sewer in the Drain road, and find that it is so much broken up and damaged that the cost to repair it would amount to nearly .£2OOO, and to build a new one would cost about the same Bum. It is necessary that a waterway be kept open on this road for the rain water of storms, and I would recommend that the old drain on the north side be kept for this purpose, it being diverted into the old sewer just above the pumping station. The Road Board is anxious to put this road in good order before the winter, but to do so the north side of it must be cat down about 2ft., which involves breaking in the crown of the old fewer, which projects above tho level of tho road, and I would recommend that the Road Board be allowed to do so. By cutting down the north side of the road the depth of the drain will be reduced, and I would suggest that it be fenced off, leaving openings at all entrances to properties. When this is done it would be advisable to allow Mr Pillow to fill up the drain through his section, on condition of his substituting a| pipe _ drain, if required, for the drainage of properties at tbe back of his premises.

3. The subject of complaint from the chairman of the Public Cemetery Board is that No. 2 drain crosses the continuation of Winter's road, U.S. 1705. The Drainage Board having some time ago diverted part of the drain in order to straighten and deepen it, the result is that this road is crossed by the old abandoned part of the new diversion. As the Board generally agree to build bridges when crossings are required over new drains, this would be a case of this kind, were it not that the road had to cross the drain in any c*se. It will be necessary for the Board either to fill up the old channel or to bridge the new one; but I do not thick it should be called on to do both. 4. The work of the main sewer in the South belt is progressing very satisfactorily. That in the East belt is much delayed by the very unfavorable nature of the ground, where quicksand and water cause repeated subsidence of the trenches, and breaks in the sewer, in spite of all the precautions which the contractor has employed. The erection of the engine house and machinery is progressing very well. C. Napieb Bell, Engineer.

The first clause of the report was approved awaiting a reply from the Church Property Trustees. Clause 2 was carried. In reference to clause 3 a letter was read from the Chairman of the Cemetery Board, with reference to their application for a bridge over a cutting across a road in the neighborhood of the public cemetery at New Brighton, stating that a small vote had been passed by the Solwyn Council, which would partly cover the cost, but that no other funds were available. The approach to the cemetery being more available for traffic depended upon the work being done. Discussion took place, it being pointed out that making a bridge on the public road was the work of the Road Board. Mr C«,ff thought it would be better to contribute a portion of the cost, and get the Road Board to do the work, rather than establish the precedent. It was ultimately resolved that the Board have no funds applicable to tho purpose. The report as a whole was then approved. A letter of apology from Mr Blakiston was read, regretting his absence from the meeting owing to pressure of business. The correspondence accumulated since last meeting was then considered. The following letters were read :

From the Sydenham Borough Council, stating that that body was willing to undertake the supervision of the work of clearing creeks and drains in the borough for the sum of £2O per annum.

Mr White suggested that this, with the other letters that had already been received, should be referred to the committee.

Mr Cuff proposed that things should remain as they were. It was, later on, resolved to produce the other letters.

The secretary stated that Avon and Heatheete had sent in their respective offers (as to drains), being £3O and £2O ; Sydenham was also £2O. No letter had been received from Riccarton, with whom the Board had an arrangement last year for the supervision of the drains.

On the motion of Mr White, the consideration of the question was postponed till next meeting. Prom Dr. W. Buller a letter was received, in reference to his claim of £l5O, requesting that a covenant for keeping the fencing already erected by the Board in repair, might be inserted in the deed. A former letter from Dr. Buller, in which he made his offer of the land, was read, and the Board decided to decline the present request. From Mr J. J. Patterson, stating that his tenants in Carlton terrace, Merivale, are compelled, through want of means of drainage, to allow all the drainage to run down their gardens to get away as it best can, and asking the Board to suggest a remedy.

Referred to the engineer. From Mr Price, of the Western Store, stating that he should hold the Board responsible for any damage to his property through subsidence of the belt caused by drainage operations. It was resolved to write to Mr Price, informing him that the engineer had given instructions for the necessary precautions to be taken.

From Mr J. 11. Hall, aeiking that special precautious might be taken during the progress of the excavations for the main sewer when passing his hotel, the Eastern, and stating that he should hold the Board responsible for arty damage. Referred to the engineer. A letter from Mr John Jury, of Riccarton, asking that a small creek running by his property be cleared out in view of the coming winter, during which season the drain overflows.

Referred to'the engineer, with power to act if the drain bo in the schedule.

From the manazer of the gas works, notifying that on the East belt, near St. Asaph street, a main supplying gas has been broken during the sewer excavations, that various slips of earth had altered the position of the gas main on the East bolt, and that tho cost or repairs would be charged to the Drainage Board.

A letter from Mr Parsons, contractor, was read in relation to the above, stating that be had made arrangements in the matter with the Gas Company. In the face of the memo, last read, the Board considered no action was necessary. Accounts to the amount of £152 were passed for payment. Mr White called attention to tho heavy cost of copying tho rolls. Tenders wero passed for clearing creeks and drains, and the following were accepted : —Christchuroh, Mr Winn ; Riccarton, Mr Reeve ; Heathcote, Mr Queenan ; Sydenham, Mr Carr.

The question of Mr Bell's agreement was then considered.

Mr White moved, in accordance with notice—" That, with a view to determine any doubt or difference of opinion as to the terms of agreement between the Board and Mr Bell, and of entering into a definite agreement with him, the requisite notice be at once given him to oancel his present agreement." He said resolution standing in my name, I desire to say that I am actuated only by a desire to oonserve the interests of the ratepayers, and not by any spirit of antagonism

to the engineer personally. I may say that I feci myself free to question the wisdom and prudence of the arrangement which permitted the engineer to give part of his time to works other than those under the charge of this Board. The works of this Board are of such importance and are of such a character, that they should receive the undivided time, thought, and energy of the engineer, whoever he may be, and moreover it is wrong in principle that tho engineer should have it in his power to decide, ai appears to be the case, what portion of his time should bo given to tho Drainage Board's works, and what portion to those of the Harbor Board. The ambiguity surrounding the arrangement between the Board and the engineer, and the difference of opinion whioh appears to exist among some of the members as to the terms of that arrangement, should not exist any longer than the time laid down in the agroement for terminating it, viz., a six months' notice, and in moving that this notice be given to the engineer, I wish it to be understood that my object is to give the Board an opportunity of setting aside all doubt as to the exaot terms of the present arrangement, as well as to place the relations between the Board and its engineer on such a footing as will secure the whole services of the latter for such an important work as the drainage system of this city is admitted to be. Under the present arrangement the engineer surrendered 25 per cent, of his salary for the privilege of being engineer to the Harbor Board, as well as engineer to our Board, and under this arrangement the engineer is the judge of what time should be given to the one Board and what to the other. Again, the chairman's idea of what the arrangement between the engineer and the Board is, differs somewhat from tho interpretation put upon it by some of the members ; and, in addition to these, the engineer's reading of it is not in harmony with either, for he appears to claim as a right what some of us maintain he is not entitled to. In making these remarks I have no desire to reflect upon those members of the Board who were instrumental in making the arrangement (whatever it might be) with the engineer, for I concede that in a new work, such as that of our Board, there would necessarily be much room for modification and alteration in the terms of the agreement between the Board and its officers. I contend it is wrong on principle that, in such an important work as ours is, the engineer should be permitted to give any of his time to other works of any kind whatever ; it is false economy to allow him to be engineer for any othor body on the surrender of part of his salary. The work of this Board is of such a technical character that it requires constant watching and supervision, as well as undivided thought on the part of the engineer, and the money that can be wasted through mistakes arising out of the engineer's time being partly taken up with other works instead of being wholly given to every little detail of this important work, is so large that the interests of tho ratepayers are not conserved by tho arrangement as at present existing. When first the engineer was appointed it was considered the whole of his time should be given, and that he should be allowed to be consulted by other public bodies, and this privilege, I think, seeing that he was to receive £BOO per annum and forage, should not have been allowed, and the ratepayers have boen very dissatisfied ever since it haa been known that he had such a privilege. I, therefore, beg to move—" That six months' notice be given to Mr Bell that the arrangement between him and the Board is to cease and terminate."

Mr Bell said the information procured from Wellington did away with all ambiguity on the subject. He was quite prepared to accept, that interpretation of his agreement. Mr Brown eeoonded the motion pro forma. Mr Cuff desired to propose that a statement in writing should be obtained from Mr Bell as to what ho considered his agreement, and if that were not approved of, he should support Mr White's motion. The Chairman stated what steps he had taken to obtain information referring to the appointment of Mr Carruthers, which was similar to that of Mr Bell. A difference bad obtained in practice, Mr Bell not being called upon to obtain the express consent in writing from the Board when he wished to undertake outside work, it being left to him (Mr Bell) to judge when his presence could best be spared. That was all the difference between the agreements, and this was all the information which he (the ohairman) had to offer.

Mr Bell explained that his agreement with, this Board was to be the same as that of Mr Carruthers with the Government.

Mr Brown—Did the Board on mailing the agreement with Mr Bell know what Mr Garruthers' agreement was ? The Chairman, (peaking personally, said he knew that Mr Oarruthers was allowed to take private practice, but nothing more. Mr Brown was of opinion that the agreement with their engineer had been rendered null and void by the aotion of the Board since.

The deed of agreement between Mr Bell and the Board was produced and read. Mr Hall said the agreement had been absolutely cancelled by the after aotion of this Board and Mr Bell.

The Chairman—That of course is a legal question. Mr Hall—Decidedly ; but I think it would be recognised.

Mr White —Well, if that is so, it makes my contention all the more reasonable. The Chairman read the resolution of the Board passed in April, 1876, extending to Mr Bell the right to do outside work. Mr Hall said he had voted against the resolution in question, believing they ought to have the whole of their engineer's time. But now that the thing had been decided on, he thought it would be doing a wrong to the Harbor Board and their engineer if they were to upset it; moreover, he pointed out that the Board had no complaint before tbem of any neglect of duty. Mr Hobbu approved of the arrangement existing, to which he was a party, and he thought they had every reason to be satisfied with the services of Mr Bell. He pointed out that by the arrangement come to the respective bodies who employed Mr Bell were able to economise. They each required a professional man of high standing, and to obtain the exclusive services of such a man, they would each have to pay a mush larper salary than they at present paid. He would filso add, that from his knowledge of Mr Bell's mode of working, he felt sure that this Board had their full share of the time any engineer could be supposed to devote to his duties. Looking at the matter from Mr Bell's point of view, the work on the Board was really only of a temporary character, and Mr Bell, no doubt, wished to keep his name before the public, by aoting as consulting engineer; not so much for the matter of the fees, but in view of his future career. Mr "Robs had voted against Mr Bell taking outside work, when the motion was before the Board, but he would do nothing to upset the present arrangement.

Mr Brown saw in the original agreement there was no mention of Mr Bell being allowed to act for any other body. An agreement was come to since by resolution, but he believed that Mr Bell was bound by the original agreement. He had taken a large amount of work outside, and there had been a good deal of talk about it. What he proposed, therefore, was that a new and definite agreement should be made with Mr Bell, and this he should propose as an amendment to the resolution. No man could serve two masters and do justicoto both. The Chairman said ho believed the agreement made with Mr Bell had been in the interests of the public, both as to the work of this Board, and with regard to the important trust of the Harbor Board. He beliovod also that the work done by that gontloman had been carried out in all respects with credit to himßelf and advantage to the public. Mr White replied—Ho did not wish it to bo understood that ho was anxious Mr Boll's connection with this Board should be severed, but he did say that the present arrangements wero highly unsatisfactory, and required amendment. Ho thought tho time had como that the engineering staff should be re-organised, especially in view of Mr Clark's death and the assertion of Mr Bell that Mr Clark's plans were left in an unfinished state. Mr Bell offered to explain what ho meant by saying that. The Chairman thought it unnecessary. Mr Bell said ho would rather not say anything about it, but the Board must, he thought, understand what he meant in reference to Mr Clark's report. A division was taken on the resolution, resulting as follows—Ayes: Messrs J. E. Brown, W. White, and Cuff. Noes: Messrs Harman, Ross, Hall, Tancred, and Hobbs. The resolution was, thorofore, negatived by five to three.

The Board, after some discussion upon the question of finances, adjourned till Monday next at ten o'clock.