DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2252, 17 May 1881, Page 4

DRAINAGE BOARD.

A special meeting of the above was held a' 1.30 p.m. yesterday. Present—Messrs R J. S. Harman (chairman), O. R. Blakieton, H. J. Hall, J. E. Brown, W. White, junr., H, J. Tancrod and P. Hobbs. A letter was road from Mr O. Cuff, stating that ho was suffering from a eevere attack of lumbago and was unable to bo prorent,. He, therefore, would desire that his two notices of motion should stand over till next meeting. In reply to the chairman, Mr Bell said that ho had not prepared any .report for the present meeting. He might say that ho should like to have authority to advertise a notice to householders stating that -da sl! cafes of alterations to their connections with tiia notice should be given to the secretary, so that the i,,‘* n 2otor might jpo tile proposed, irfiralion. He might Say that in •csldysral cases the alterations had been so made that the gas wont into Ihe houses. The Chairman said that ho thought it was very necessary, both for the protection of the ratepayers and the Board, because the latter might find that there was something being put into the sowers of which they had no knowledge. He might also point out that the existence of sower gas —would not be known by the inhabitants of the houses unless tho Inspector had the opportunity of calling their attention to it. The Chairman was requested to have the necessary advertisement inserted warning the householders of the necessity of any alterations being notified as stated therein. A letter was read from the City Council, stating that they were ready to commence to collect the drainage rate with their own if required. If no intimation was given of the wish of the Board by the next day, the city rata would be collected alone. It was decided, in view of Mr Cuff’s motion for tho appointment of a rate collector standing over, that the letter remain over till next meeting. A letter was read from the Sydenham Council informing the Board that as they were of opinion that the completion of surface drainoge by side channelling combined with deodorization of house slops was better suited to the requirements of the district than the system of deep drainage, they should feel it their duty to oppose the passing of the proposed amended Bill. The Oounoil further asked whether the Board would agree to tho Drainage Act being amended, so as to provide for tho separation of Sydenham from tho drainage district, upon provision being made that Sydenham shall remain liable for tho charges already incurred for its benefit; the proportion to be paid to be settled by arbitration. The Chairman said of course the Board had no power to do what was required, as the loan had been raised on tho security of the whole district, and no portion could be released. Mr White said that be took it that it was very unfair to allow any one district to overdraw, and then rate the others to make it up. The Chairman said that this was so.

Mr Hall said that he thought the Avon district was now increasing far mors than any suburban district. By economy and the fact that tho Avon district had been very much undervalued, he thought that the Avon would in years to come pay its own way. Ho thought, also, that no other answer could bo returned to the Sydenham Borough Council than that, as the debentures had been raised on the whole district intact, they could not agree to what had been proposed by Sydenham.

Messrs Hobbs and Tancred here entered the room. Mr Hobbs said that if the Council bad thought this matter out they would have seen that it would be impracticable. As regarded putting their sewage into the side channels, that meant that they should be allowed to drain all their filth into tho river Avon near Madras bridge, which he, and, no doubt, all the city members, would object to. Respecting the deodorising of the house-slops, they would require to spend a small fortune in deodorants if they went into this. As regarded whether the system of side ohann els was better than deep drainage, that was a matter of opinion. There was no reason in their saying they would oppose the Bill of the Board because they wanted to put down pipe drains, because they did not require that power, having it already. With respect to tho division of the district, he should oppose this most strenuously, as the security had been given to the English bondholders over the whole district, and they could not in fairness tamper with that security in any way. It was resolved to reply, that as the loan had been raised on the security of the whole district, the Board were unable to comply with the request of the Sydenham Oounoil. Mr White said that Mr Clark’s scheme did not provide for the efficient drainage of Sydenham, and if it had they had not the money to carry it out. A letter was read from Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw, asking what amount the Board was prepared to give as compensation for drainage through the land held by tho trustees of G. Miles. It was resolved to refer the matter to the engineer and Mr Cuff, to report to the Board upon the claim, viz., £3l Is, and the erection of a bridge and keeping it in order, or, if possible, offer an amount to cover all claims. A letter was read from Dr. Buller, consenting to forego the stipulation for fencing in the land proposed to be taken by the Board. A letter was read from the Riccarton Road Board forwarding letters from Messrs Leach, King and Deacon, with reference to the filling up of a drain on the Fendalton road, and recommending that the request should be granted, and the water taken in another direction.

Letters were read from Messrs Mannings and Dawson, stating that they would hold the Board liable for any damage done by the filling np of the drain. Mr Hall went uc.to a history of the cutting of the drain by the Board. The road was very narrow where the drain was, and accidents were likely to occur. Tho Board had therefore to consider whether they could not do something. As regarded the other outlet, Mr Ooolahan asked a most exorbitant amount of compensation to carry the drain through his land, which was the only practicable -outlet. There need bo no difficulty about draining Mr Manning's property with a small pipe drain. The Chairman thought the only way was to refer the subject to the engineer, and obtain his report on it. The suggestion was adopted, and the matter referred to the engineer to report. A letter was read from the Rev. E. A. Lingard, stating that the reason why they required tho creek in the parsonage grounds over wan that it was a nuisance, as the drainage from the houses above came into it. This was why they offered to assist tho Board either to fill up tho creek or pipe it. The Chairman said this put the matter in a different light. It tho creek was a nuisance, it should be reported upon by their Inspector. It was resolved to refer the matter to the Local Board of Health. Accounts to the amount of £Ol 11s lOd were passed for payment. Several tenders for clearing drains were accepted for the year. Mr Hall moved, pursuant to notice of motion, that the following resolution be rescinded, viz.: —“That the Board is of opinion that the construction of the main outfall drain from the East belt to the pumping station, and all other main drains, pumping stations, Ac., is for the benefit of each and every portion of tho drainage district, and that one rate should be struck over the whole district to pay interest and sinking fund on the cost of these particular drains, pumping station, Ac.” Ho did not intend to make any lengthened remarks on tho subject, as the members had had time to consider tho whole subject. Ho hoped tho Board would see their |way clear to rescind that resolution, and he would say to his friend Mr Hobbs, rescind the resolution, and go and sin no more. Mr Hobbs seconded tho resolution pro forma. Ho might say that he had moved the resolution us chairman of tho committee, but ho wished to say this, that ho thought, as the sewage works would not benefit Riccarton for many years, that it was straining tho matter too far to include Riccarton. Now tho loan was nearly expended, and he intended that day to bring forward resolutions to allocate the balance, and Riccarton was not included. Therefore ho was bound to support the resolution.

Mr Boss would like to know whether there were not other portions of the district which came under the same category as Biccarton in not receiving for some years tho benefit of the sewage system ?

Mr White would iiko to say that there wore some houses in Biccarton which would get the benefit of the present scheme.

Mr Hall desired to point out that there was not one single sewer in the Biccarton district, and they would receive no benefit for years. Mr Brown said the Board had a right under the Act to allocate their rates over the district in which works were done for their benefit. There was no doubt some injustice in the case of Riccarton, but there] was also injustice in the Avon. The only way in which they could get over was to set to work and resubdivido ihe districts. Take the districts south of the river in Christchurch, not one inch of sewerage had been done, and if they stopped now and went on with the outfall drain, the district south of the river would not have anything expended on it. What was necessary was a re-adjustment of the districts and an allocation of the rates where direct advantage or benefit by expenditure *6s receive, , . „ „ Mr White wanted to know what Mr Hall proposed to substitute for the resolution now asked to be rescinded. Ho could not agree with Mr Brown in his idea of sub-dividing the districts. They talked about large rates now, but under Mr Brown’s proposal they would have but a little portion of the district paying a large rote instead of spreading over the whole. Let them look at Spreydon, which now paid a IOJd rate, whilst there was not a single sewer provided for it. It was as hardly treated as Riccarton. What did Mr Hall want F Would he take last year’s arrangement ? [Mr Hall—“ Yes.” 3 Well, that made Sydenham pay a heavy rata with not a single sewer in it. [Mr Hall—“ You will have some by-and-by.”] What lie wanted to see was the districts charged with the amount of pipes laid down in them. Their money was all but gone, and_ what he should like to see done, as the fairest way, would be to charge the cost of the pumpingstation against the various districts in proportion to the amount of drains made in it. Mr Rosa wished to know whether it was a fact that Spreydon was as hardly treated as Riccarton,

Mr Hobbs said that the rate paid by Spreydon was returned to it. Mr Hall said that tho suggestion made by Mr White did not affect tho question. If the the Board rescinded the resolution Mr White’s suggestion might come forward. Mr Brown was willing to have Mr Hall’s resolution agreed to, but was not prepared to take Mr White’s suggestion.

The Chairman said he desired to explain why ho now supported Mr Hall’s resolution. In clause 45 of Mr Clark’s report he mentioned in a foot note, which became important after the passing of the Act of 1867, that he did not think it desirable to include a larger area than he had laid down, therefore he thought they were in error, unless they meant to depart from Mr Clark’s scheme. In his opinion they could not pass the resolution now proposed to be rescinded without departing from Mr Clark’s scheme. For these reasons he should support Mr Hall’s resolution. Mr White asked whether some streets had not been supplied with pipes outside Mr Clark’s scheme. The Chairman said that this was so, but it must be remembered that these streets were within the area, and that Mr Clark contemplated a considerable amount of details being carried out.

The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. Mr White moved that the following notice of motion, standing in the name of Mr Cuff, be postponed—“ That the following resolution be rescinded, viz.: —That the Board adopts the principle that the cost of tho storm-water sewers be apportioned to the several subdistricts within the Christchurch Drainage District, in a ratio of the area drained within such sub-districts.” Mr Tancred seconded the motion.

Mr Hobbt opposed the postponement on the ground that it was necessary to have the rate notices got out. He should also oppose Mr Cuff’s motion for the appointment of a rate collector, and desired to point out that it did not cost the Board £BOO a year to collect the rates.

Mr Brown characterised Mr Hobbs’ arguments as absurd. Last year they were goaded into striking a rate because the Christchurch collector wished to send ont his notices. He wanted to see them take time and consider whether they would not be better or more cheaply served by a collector of their own.

Mr Hobbs desired to urge upon the Board the fact that they were now in the fifth month in the year, and no attempt made to start the rate collecting. Mr Hall said that in many of the raral districts tho new collector going in would not collect within £BOO of the rates. Mr White wished it to be understood that while asking for the postponement he was not in favor of the resolution to be moved by Mr Cuff.

After some further discussion, the resolution for postponement was carried. Mr White moved—“ That the notice of motion given by Mr Onff for the appointment of a rate collector be postponed.” Mr Boss seconded the motion, which was carried on a division by 4 to 3 Messrs Hobbs, Hall, and Blakiston voting against it, and Messrs Boss, Brown, White, and Tancred for it. Some discussion ensued as to how the business was to be brought on before the Board, Mr Hobbs intimating that he had some resolutions respecting tho rate to bring forward.

Mr White objected. Mr Hall thought they should go on. Mr White said, that Mr Hall having got all he wanted, he did not care. It was currently reported that Mr Hall was going in with Christchurch now.

Mr Hall indignantly repelled the report.

Mr Hobbs moved— “ That the engineer report upon the expenditure of the balance of the loan.” Mr Hall seconded the motion. Mr White objected to any debateable matter, as the time bad passed. Ultimately Mr White, consented to withdraw his opposition.

Mr Hobbs then went into an exhaustive review of drainage matters since the commencement, and to lay before the Board informally a scheme for the allocation of the balance of the loan for pipelaying, Ao, He intended to give notice of motion of the scheme that the allocation of the loan be carried ont as stated. His proposition would be that the rate to be paid by Christchurch should be 7£d in the £, Sydenham and Spreydon would bo Avon Is, Heathoote fid, Riccarton 3id. Mr Hobbs then went on to give a mass of figures to show how these results were arrived at, and pointed out that this year, owing to the large sum accruing from tho bank for interest, they had only to raise the sum of £2013 Os 3d over the whole district, which worked out as he had stated on each. As regarded the next year’s rates, for 1882, the total amount required would be £21,1fi7 11s lOd, and the value of the district £418,000, on which a shilling rate would produce a small deficit.

Mr Brown thought that the figures should be before the finance committee for consideration.

Mr Hobbs was quite willing that this should be done. He had no idea that the Board would adopt the plan to-day. Mr White thought that there must be something wrong in the figures supplied by the officers of tho Board, as Christchurch was reduced by lid, Sydenham increased by Id, and Riccarton reduced from fid to 3id. He would ask that tho figures read by Mr Hobbs should be printed for tho information of the ratepayers. It was resolved that the figures involved in Mr Hobbs’ statement be printed. Mr White said he should give notice of motion that Sydenham bo treated in the same way as Riccarton, and that, as they wanted no pipes, they need not pay any rates. Mr Hobbs gave notice of motion for next meeting :—“ That the sum of £IO,OOO bo set apart for tho laying of pipe sewers in the city. That the sum of £IO,OOO be set apart for tho laying of pipe sowers in Sydenham; that the sum of £6558 fis 3d he set apart for the laying of pipes in the Heathoote district. That tho Board notify their intention to make the following rates on the undermentioned districts under the Board, viz.:—Christchurch, 71d; Avon, Is; Heathoote, fid ; Biccarton, 3id ; Sydenham and Spreydon, Hid ; also, that tho said rate shall be for the period commencing on the 1881, and ending on the 31st day of December, 1881, and that the said rate shall be payable in one sum on the ■ 1881, and that the rate book bo open for inspection at the office of the Board.”

Mr Hall called attention to the danger which would exist on the Lincoln road when the tramway went down there by tho existence of a wide deep ditch on one side. The engineer might bo requested to report on the matter.

The engineer was directed to report on the subject. The Board then adjourned