DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2282, 26 July 1881, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The fortnightly meeting of the Board was held at 1.30 p.m. yesterday. Present—Messrs Tanored (chairman), Harman, White, Hall, Roes, J. E. Brown, Blakiston, Hobbs. Tho engineer’s report was read, dealing with various matters submitted to him, and tho clauses were discussed seriatim.

It was resolved to continue the planting of tho pine trees on the Sandhills reserve, as at first projected, viz., 15ft apart. Several letters were read with regard to the flooding of Buskin street, Sydenham, referred to in the report of the engineer, giving to the Board the right of casement to lay their pipes through for drainage. After some discussion,

Mr White moved —“ That negotiations be entered into for acquiring the right of drainage from Buskin street to the northern boundary of Mr Harris’ section.” The motion was agreed to.

The Board resolved with reference to the claim of Mr Nairn for compensation, to reply that compensation had already been paid to the owner of tho land for the drain, on the existence of which tho claim was grounded. The question of tho widening of the culvert on St.John’s road was referred to the Boad Board, tho Drainage Board considering that it was a matter for the former to deal with.

The next point discussed was the question of the proposed filling up of a drain on tho Fendalton road and making another. It was stated that both Messrs Danson and Chick objected to the drain going along their frontage. A long discussion ensued, and ultimately it was resolved that the Board take no action in the matter.

With regard to the placing of dams across St. Albans Creek, Mr Ross suggested that notice by advertisement should bo given that any person obstructing the creek would be prosecuted. It was resolved—“ That notice be given that no dam or obstruction be placed in any of the creeks under the supervision of the Board without the consent of the Board. In case such obstruction were placed, the person so offending to be proceeded against,” A deputation, comprising the Rev. T. Flavell and Messrs Stringer and Money, waited on tho Board with reference to an accumulation of water at Morivale, caused by a sewer put in by the Board, and the old natural drainage closed up. What they wanted was the reopening of the old drainage by St. James’ terrace to the river. There was an old culvert still existing, and he thought that tho Avon Road Board would be willing to put in pipes to get rid of the water.

Mr Money, the Rev. T. Flavell, and Mr Stringer addressed tho Board on the subject. Mr Stringer also pointed out that he had given a piece of his land for the pipes of the Board to pass through, on consideration of this being connected with tho sewer, which had not been done.

The deputation then retired. Mr Hall suggested that the connections with the sewer, as asked for by Mr Stringer, be made, and that tho engineer be instructed so to do.

Mr White thought they should postpone the matter until tho next meeting of the Board, and would move a resolution to that effect.

A very lengthy discussion took place, at the conclusion of which it was resolved that the engineer be instructed to have a covered drain laid down of about four chains in length connecting St. James street with Merivale sewer, and from St. James street to the old water course, a distance of about two chains, by an open ditch. Mr White objected, as the Board had promised Bingsland that they would do work which was so necessary when the Avon district hod money to its credit, and he thought an injustice would bo done if this work was carried out, and no drainage done for Bingsland.

Mr Brown said that the arrangement had been made by him with the persons signing the deed that connection should be made, and it the promise of the Board were not kept, they would not find gentlemen acting for them.

A deputation, consisting of Mr Kruse and two others, waited on the Board with reference to the overflow of water on their land at Papanui. They complained that their sections were flooded, and that the drains provided were not large enough to carry off the water. Such a large body of water came down from Papanui and elsewhere, that the drains could not get the water off. After soma discussion the matter was referred to the engineer, to report upon the beet means of giving relief. The deputation then retired. Mr F. W. Isitt waited upon the Board with reference to a drain he, in conjunction with Mr Butler, wished to put down at Holly road. The house, it appeared, had been built over the drain pipes of the Board, and the applicants had received notice that the Board could not allow the house to be built in the place selected. They now asked permission to divert the drain so as to pass in another direction.

Mr Harman moved—“ That Mr 801 l be empowered to grant permission to divert the pipes as desired if he saw fit.” Mr Brown seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A letter was read from the members of the House of Representatives written to with reference to the Drainage Act Amendment Bill, staling that they advised that the Bill should not be introduced this session. If there was any necessity for the Bill, they advised that next session the ratepayers should be consulted, so that the member in charge of it might state that the majority of the ratepayers were in favor of it. A letter was read from the Sydenham Borough Council, stating that their officers had no time to arrange for the subdivision of the rate roll.

It was resolved that the chairman be authorised to take steps for the preparation of the subdivided roll for Sydenham. Letters were also read on the subject of the collection of rates from the Sydenham, Bicoarton, Avon, and Heathcote Road Boards. A letter was read from the Avon Road Board with reference to the overflow at Sawyers’ Arms road, stating that the officers of the Board had admitted that the overflow was caused by the action of the Board. The Engineer said that if this was so the officers were mistaken, and he had gone over the ground and found that such was not the case.

It was resolved that a reply to this effect bo sent to the Avon Road Board. A letter was read from a number of residents on the Shirley road, asking that the Board would give them some means of draining their properties, which wore now flooded. The matter was referred to the engineer to report. A letter was read from Messrs Walton and Moßae, asking that the Board would lay down a pipe to connect with the main sewer on St. Albans road.

The Engineer reported that the St. Albans sewer not being a sewage pipe, the request could not bo granted.

It was resolved that this answer bo sent. A letter was read from Mr Bryant, tho licensee of the Grosvenor Hotel, Manchester street and Belt, giving tho Board notice that ho would hold the Board responsible for any damage done to his premises by tho East belt sewer.

An application was received from Mr Stoddart to drain into a deep drain on tho west side of the belt.

It was resolved that the application be granted for storm and waste artesian water only. The work to be done under the supervision of the Engineer, and no house slops to be put into the drain. Mr Holland, Orescent road, wrote asking that the Board would cut the willow trees along the creek. It was resolved to grant the request. A letter was read from Mr Fabling, complaining that the laborers of the Board had come on to his land and cut down fences, &o. without having given notice to him. The Engineer stated that notice had been given to landlord and tenant, Mr Fabling only being a sub-tenant. Mr Souter wrote respecting the flooding of hia section at Bingsland.

The Engineer said that the only remedy was to open the roadside drain again. It was resolved to reply that the Board regrets that it cannot see its way to give any relief.

A letter was read from Mr George Kelly with reference to the lowering of the connecting pipes of the sump at the junction of Chapel street and St. Albans lane.

It was resolved to refer the writer to the Road Board. A letter was read from Messrs Bell, Smith, and others calling attention to the insufficient sire of the pipe across Pigeon’s road, Addington. It was agreed to refer the matter to the engineer, with power to give the relief required. A letter was read from Mr F. Jones, calling attention to the defective state of the culvert on the Ricoarton road beyond the railway crossing. The matter was referred to the Eiccarton Road Board,

A request was received from Mr J. K. Anthony, asking permission to erect a fence on the property of the Board at Madras street.

It was resolved to reply that the Board preferred to keep the land for a road, notice to be given to adjoining occupiers and all persons trespassing on the property to remove fences and all other obstructions, and that the engineer be instructed to see this carried out.

A letter was read from Mr W. Attwood, calling attention to the flooded state of bis land, and asking that the drain now existing should be carried a little further, which would give the relief he required. The letter was referred to the engineer. In reply to a letter from Mr Attwood, asking the Board to meet him before the work of laying the iron pipes was proceeded with, and in order to arrive at the amount of compensation, the Board decided that no good purpose would be served by such a meeting as proposed, as the damage could be assessed more equitably after the work was done.

Several accounts were passed, amounting to £127 4s 7d.

The Board then adjourned.