DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2293, 9 August 1881, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The usual meeting of the Christchurch District Drainage Board was held at 1.30 p m. yesterday. Present—Messrs H. J. Tancred (chairman), B. J. 8. Harman, W. White, iun., O. B. Blakiston, O. Cuff, H. J. Hall, j. V. Boss, E. Hobbs. The engineer’s report was read as follows, and dealt with clause by clause : Eeferring to the complaint of Messrs Bruce and others, on 1153 and 1131, there was on July 21st, about 200 acres of land under water, in some parts to a depth of 2ft, the water laid on the laud four or five days, but would have drained oS sooner, it proper channels had existed to bring the water from the fields to the main drains. In sections 378 and 377, about thirty-five acres of land were under water to a depth of say one foot, which drained off in two days after the storm ceased. The difficulties in the way of draining this land consist in its being a space of more than a mile square, which is nearly quite level, and placed at a long distance from the river, in consequence of which the drains required to be very deep in order to reach it with sufficient fall. This level tract has concentrated upon it the drainage of another square mile or more, coming from the eastward. To relieve it from flood water there are three large drains, two falling into Dudley creek and one into the Styx. The inclination of these drains is very slight, and the velocity of flow is slow, therefore they are unable to take away at once the water from a heavy rain-storm. During the storm ending on the 21st, other drains were quite full to their banks, and on the 22nd, when I examined them, they had fallen about one foot, so that if the water stayed on the fields one day longer, it must be on account of there being no ditches in the fields to bring the water to the main drains. In fact, on the 27th all the water had drained off. I think it is unfair to expect that the Board should provide means to take away at once the waters of a great rainstorm from the lowest part of a district. Still, if it is thought that more should be done for the relief of this district, I should not recommend the construction of anolhermain drain to the Horseshoe lake, which, apart from the great expense, would be detrimental to a number of properties. I should prefer to recommend that the present drains bo made to carry more water, partly by widening them and partly by increasing the fall in the higher parts. In the case of the main drains, and that now called Bnller’s drain, I have explained in previous reports that this was not done before on account of tho quicksands, that willows had been planted with this object and to keep the sides from falling in. The greater part of those drains not being fenced, the growth of tho willows has been retarded by the cattle eatlbg them. Some have grown, and many have been replanted this season ; but I do not think it is safe to deepen the drains, as tho sides would bo pretty certain to fall in if that wore done, unless a large expense were incurred in timbering tho sides where they lunge and touch on tho loose sand. When the willows have attained a good growth they can be deepened with safety. Tho drain

called Horner’s drain passes through E.S. 1140 ond 1131. In 1146 it is very shallow, but on the roadside at 1131 it is 14ft to 16ft deep. The upper part of this drain is so level that when there is little water in it lit B.S. 378 it flows i towards the main drain, but in a heavy rain it flows towards the Styx. If it were regularly sloped from the culvert under the road at the N E. corner of E.S. 1246 to about the middle of 378, it would relieve the drainage of those parts which are complained of as liable to be flooded. This drain is, however, in a ruinous condition in the deep parts from the falling in of its sides, and the rotting of the timber which was put in by the Avon Road Board to keep them up, and to maintain the drain at all the sides must be sloped. This will of course be the more necessary, if it is deepened, to give it a regular fall, as above stated. To slope the sides necessitates cutting down some of tho road, already very narrow, and in that case it would be advisable to acquire a strip of land to widen the road, as it would bo dangerous to traffic if made any narrower. For this purpose the fences must bo taken down and rebuilt, and these being old gorse hedges, tho damage occasioned would bo considerable. If, on the contrary, this drain is abandoned and filled up, a very largo additional area of drainage would require to have its outlet by the main drains, which are complained of as being too small. This drain is of such a width and depth that it would cost as much to fill it up as to widen the main drains, and for this reason I think it will be necessary to maintain it, and remove the slips and slope _ the sides next summer. If possible, it might also be deepened at its upper end so as to assist in relieving 378 and 1134 of tho excess of water in winter. This work will bo very costly, and from its irregular nature I find difficulty in estimating it. There are about 30 chains requiring tho sides to be sloped and the slips removed, and probably requiring also new timber to keep the bottom from collapsing with the quick-sand. Drainage of 1146. Mr Attwood complains of stagnant water on tho northern part of 1146. This is drained very ineffectually by a ditch close to tho road on the north boundary, for which Mr Attwood holds from Mr Dyden a right of drainage. On the 10th May, 1878, a similar complaint was made by Mr Attwood ; the place was examined by me, and it was found that much bettor drainage could be effected by a new drain through the centre part of 1146, where tho land is low, and the distance would be shorter. Tho reply of the Board, containing a request that parties interested should grant a right of easement for drainage through the proposed line, was not accepted by Mr Attwood, and so the matter has stood until now. The question is now still more complicated by a dispute about the position of the road on the northern boundary. In reply to the letter of Messrs Maher, Phillpott and others, complaining of the drainage of Harrison’s section on Henley road. This is a case in which the remedy lies in the laying out of the road. It will be seen by the plan and levels herewith, that tho streets should bo inclined to drain to either of the ditches which bound the township, and to assist this object I can only suggest that the Board take over the clearing of the drain on the south-west and south sides, which at present it in private hands, and may or may not be properly attended to. I have arranged that Mr Izitt be allowed to alter the line of pipes at the Papanni road from the bed of Free’s creek, to suit the convenience of his building arrangements, provided he conveys to the Board the grant of the altered line of drainage, to be held by the Board in place of the right of drainage by way of the creek. I have instructed the surveyor of the Eicoarton Bead Board to place 18in pipe culverts under Pigeon’s lane, whore the overflow occurred in the last heavy rain. Eegarding the complaint of Mr Swan, in Vogel street, Bingsland, I find that his and some other properties are placed below the level of the road and its side channels, and therefore have no means of draining away the artesian waste water and slops from the house. To give them relief it is necessary to cut a side channel or ditch for about four chains along the south aide of the road, and to lay about halt a chain of Bin pipes under the entrances to houses. This would lead tho drainage into Bingsland creek. One half of the road sheds its waters on to these sections without any possibility of its getting awoy, and I think it is tho dnty of the Avon Eoad Beard to provide a proper channel or drain for the side of the road in question, otherwise I should recommend that the Board take in hand to provide such drainage for these properties. About four chains in length of the 15in pipes laid in William street. Ferry road, have collapsed with the weight of the earth above them, and are broken to pieces. These pipes were supplied by tho contractor. Tho pipes are only about two-thirds tho thickness of those imported by tho Board, and the material of which they are made appears to soften after being eight or ten months under ground. I have had them replaced by the imported pipes. Tho contractor has commenced to lay the iron sewer pipes towards tho sandhills. Mr Money protested against those pipes being laid through his section —rural reserve 3. I submit plans and section of a deviation which would avoid his section, the extra cost of which is shown by an estimate herewith, resulting from the deviation being through higher sandhills. The construction of the main sewer is making very good progress, but a part of it, which was bnilt on very bad quicksand south of St. Asaph street on the east belt, is again broken across in several places, and is sunk down and filled in with sand. A three-inch artesian well has been driven to provide water for condensing the engines; it is down into shingle at 92ft. from the surface. I expect that this well, with tho assistance of the cooling pond, 60ft long and 30ft wide, will be sufficient, but if not, either another well must be put down, or the cooling pond enlarged. The engines will require a very large quantity of water to condense them properly. It was resolved, with reference to tho application of Messrs Kruse and others, that the Board does not see its way clear to incur the expense of providing for exceptional oases as asked for by the deputation, and that any steps to widen the main drain between Preston’s and Winter’s road bo postponed for the present. The paragraph of the engineer’s report referring to the absence of communication from the fields with the main drain to be communicated to the deputation. In the event of the occupiers taking steps to place the Board in possession of the requisite land, they will consider the question. The cert clause referred to the question of dealing with the Shirley reserves. It was decided that the Board could only give their assistance when tho levels of the road were placed on a proper footing. The two following clauses were approved. Eespooting the next clause, having reference to the complaint of the Bingsland ratepayers, it was resolved to refer the matter to the Avon Eoad Board, pointing out that the applicants would be relieved by the cutting of a side channel on the south side of the street. It was resolved that the engineer enquire as to the makers of the pipes in Smith’s road, which had collapsed as reported, and also as to the district from which the clay was procured.—The report os a whole was approved.

Mr Spooner waited on the Board with reference to drainage at Knightatown. The Avon Eoad Board had formed the road, and that had thrown the water on to his land. Ho had waited on the Boad Board, who had referred him to the Drainage Board.—lt was resolved that the engineer be instructed to inspect the locality and take such steps as be may deem necessary to giye relief with the consent of tho Boad Board.—Mr Spooner then retired.

A letter was read from the town clerk, Sydenham, calling attention to a re-flooding of streets at Waltham, owing to the stoppage of a pipe near the Waltham Hotel.—The Engineer reported that a resolution had been arrived at that he should report at the end of the winter.—Mr White said he thought the engineer should at once inspect the place and report. It was very hard that persons paying a heavy rate should be flooded. Ho moved — “ That the engineer be instructed to afford the required relief.”—Tho motion was seconded and agreed to. Tho Heathoote Boad Board wrote, asking when the rote would be struck, and whether the offer made for collection would be accepted.—The matter was discussed at some ler gtfa, and, ultimately, Mr White moved—- “ That the offer of the Heathcote, Avon, and Spreydon Boad Boards and tho Sydenham Council to collect the rate be accepted ; that the Biocarton Boad Board be offered the same rate, viz., 7i per cent.; that the City Council bo offered 5 per cent, for collection of the rate, and failing their acceptance, the chairman bo empowered to call for tenders for tho collection of the city rate.”—Mr Harman seconded tho motion, which was agreed to. Mr W. Attwood wrote, with respect to the opening of his land by the contractor for carting pipes, owing to which some of his stock had been pounded. He gave the Board notice that he should hold them responsible for any further expense incurred.—The matter was referred to the engineer,—A protest against the contractor or any of the employes of the Board going on to his land was also road from Mr Attwood, and referred to the engineer. Mr Heard called attention to tho flooding of his land from water coming from Barbadocs and Worcester streets. —The matter was referred to the engineer to report upon. The engineer wrote, calling the attention of tho Board to alterations made in the sewer conp.ections by a resident in Salisbury street. —lt was resolved that a prosecution be instituted against the occupier under the Act. Tho chairman was requested to instruct the solicitor to proceed in the matter.

Mr Cartwright wrote, referring to the dangerous condition of the crossing over the drain running through his property on section 94 at Pendaltown.—The matter was referred to the engineer to report, Mr Cameron and other ratepayers of Wilson’s road, called the attention of the Board to the necessity of draining the locality, and asked that a pipe drain should be laid down connecting with the Perry road sewer. —The matter was referred to the engineer, A letter from the Eev. E. A. Lingard, respecting the removal of the cleanings out of the sump at St. Luke’s, was referred to the engineer with power to act. A resolution was forwarded from the Avon Eoad Board, covering a petition from Bingsland ratepayers residing in London street, complaining of the flooding of their sections. Tho Avon Eoad Board considered that the Drainage Board should take the matter in hand, ond give the relief asked for.—lt was resolved to defer the question until the rating of the districts was decided upon. Accounts to the amount of £3435 6s were passed for payment. Mr Hobbs moved—“ That, in accordance with section 2 of the Drainage Act Amendment Act, 1877, before making the annual rale, the Board proceed to alter the boundaries of the rural portions of the district as follows : All that portion of the Christchurch Drainage District not included in the resolu-tion-passed on June 27tb, 1881, and which is covered by Clark’s sewage scheme, and known as Clark’s area, be formed into one whole district, to be known as the rural district, and that one uniform rate be levied on the same.”—The Chairman ruled that notice of motion must be given of it.—Mr Hobbs then gave notice of the motion for next meeting. Mr Hobbs gave the following notice of motion “ That in consequence of the levels of many of the new roads formed by the various local bodies within the Drainage District not fitting in with the means of drainage supplied by this Board, a circular letter bo sent to the various bodies asking them as an act of courtesy to communicate with the engineer to the Drainage Board with a view to obtaining levels, to prevent mistakes in future, more especially in respect to laying out of new townships, and before making any new roads or reforming old ones.” The Board then adjourned.