DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2401, 13 December 1881, Page 4

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The annual meeting of the above was held at 2 p.m. yesterday. Present—Messrs Tanorod (chairman), W. White, E. J. 8. Harman, H. J. Hall, 0. E. Blakiston, 0. Cuff, J. B. Brown, J. Y. Boss, F. Hobbs. The Chairman said, in reference to the appointment of the returning officers for the election, the Board hud forgotten that they wore undor tjnp Local Elections Act, and that one returning officer only would be necessary to be appointed, who would conduct the election. Ho had seen Mr Q-. L. Lee, who would, if appointed, conduct the election, and appoint returning officers for the sub districts. On tho motion of Mr Harman, Mr G. L. Lee was appointed us returning officer for tho conduct of the election.

A deputation from the residents of Papanui north was introduced, with reference to the propoosd drainage at the north of Papanui. Ore of the members of the deputation explained at some length by moans of a tracing of the locality their views with regard to the drainage ao proposed to the Board by some of the residents, who wished to turn the public creek into q private watercourse. He also pointed out that by the drainage proposed the water would be backed up on to the land occupied by a number of holdings. If the drain came through their properties it would simply ruin the land. Mr Flesher waited on the Board with reference to the drainage of Bingslond. Some months back a deputation had waited on the Board, and asked if any provision hud been made for the drainage of Bingsland. They were then told that the Board would communicate with the deputation in writing. The deputation had with two members of the Board and the engineer inepccted the locality, and Mr Bell had prepared c scheme for the drainage of the district. Then it was found that this scheme wae one which would bo well to adopt, and they ware promised that this work should bo the first of any work to bo executed in the Avon sub-district.

Mr Cuff said the reason why the work had not been done was that the Board found that Is fid in the £ had been spent in the Avon district.

Mr Flasher said the highest rate in the district they were rated at was XOd in tho £ This showed that there was ample margin for the works to be done for the benefit of the district. They had not bad one shilling spent on them, Mr Hobbs pointed out that hundreds were in the same position. He himself had paid £l5O in rates to the Board, but had not bad one shilling benefit. If the Bead Board were to do their duty as the City Connell had done, " and provide surface drainage, Bingsland would hive no cause to complain. The city f- was not only paying for the surface drainage but also to the Board for drainage. The city '•'was also paying 2d in the £ to relieve the -suburbs.

Mr Flesher desired to ask whether the whole" of the loan was allocated. The Chairman answered in the negative. Mr Flesher then asked whether Bingsland had been provided for out of the balance.

The Chairman explained that owing to the alteration of the boundaries they could not tako the matter of the drainage of Bingsland into consideration. This was tho reason why nothing bad been done, because the Board could not then carry out tho rating as they could now.

Mr Eleshor enquired whether tho work proposed meant the whole surface drainage of Bingsland, or the carrying out simply of the lino of drain laid out by iir Bing when cutting up the land. Mr Bell said that the scheme referred to by Mr Eleaher was one proposed by him some time back comprising storm water sewers to cost some £3300. It was loft an open question whether after a while the inhabitants of Bingsland could put sewage into these pipes. Mr Rosa said that the Board could not before this have carried out the work as proposed by Mr Bell, Mr Hobbs said that tho Board which might follow them would have a balance to work on, and they could carry cut the work which was proposed. Several members of tho Board expressed their willingness to vote for tho carrying out of the scheme as proposed by Mr Bell for the drainage of Bingsland. Mr Kruse waited on the Board with reference to the same subject as (hat mentioned by tho former deputation respecting the drainage of North Pupanui. The Chairman said tho subject was under tho consideration of the Board. Mr Eruae then laid before tho Board a report of two valuators on tho damage done to his land by the drain carried out by the Board. Mr Kelly waited on the Board with reference to the alleged damage done to hie land at St. Albans by tho drains of the Board. Mr Brown explained that Mir Blakiston and himself hud been appointed to value the land, and tho engineer reported that instead of taking only the strip covered by the drain the Board should acquire the whole corner, but they were told that Mr Kelly could not sell, as there was a mortgage on the land. Mr Kelly now offered to give the corner as suggested by tho engineer for £35. Mr Brown moved —“ That the Board pay Mr Kelly the sum of £35 as asked for the land, provided he gives a legal title.” Mr Hall seconded the motion, which was carried. The engineer’s report was read aa follows:

(I) With regard to tho matter of advertising for an engine-driver for the permanent pumping engines, I have only received one answer to several letters of enquiry which I wrote by direction of the Hoard, asking for particulars of salary and duties in similar situations. (2) I have inquired into the cause of Mr Hansen’s complaint, and find that ho has no reason to make any complaint nor ground for claiming compensation. (3) In record to Mr Osborn’s request to bo allowed to divert a creek at K.S. CO, Fendalltown road, I find that by so doing ho would deprive a neighbour of a valuable watering place, aud the only object sought by ft’r Osborne is to straighten the creek through his property. I would therefore recommend that his request bo not complied with. (4) I have given directions to lay loin pipes so as to divert the drain in Mr Cokor’s property, South belt, as directed by the Hoard at the last meeting. (5j In regard to the drain opened at Knightstown, near High street, for the benefit of Mr Spooner’s land, the Board was asked to lay a pipe under Honly street to take the place of it. I find that there is no water in the ditch in summer, and only in winter it is useful to keep the ground dry. At present it occasions no inconvenience to anyone, and the objection to it is probably to exclude any prescriptive right of drainage through the sections. .Nevertheless, the inclination is too flat, and there is too little water, to use a pipe without fear of its getting choked up. I should therefore recommend that the ditch be maintained until the property is more settled and new streets are opened up, when the Board may see its way to laying down storm-water sewers to take the place of this and other ditches now used to drain this neighborhood. (6) I have examined the coarse of the drain, R.S. 2382, on which it is proposed to divert the Hare wood road-drains and lead the water into the Wainrapa river at Duncan’s road. If the drain is made sufficiently wide, and the fall taken up properly, it is probable that no mure damage will occur to property from the diversion than now happens through tbo overflow of the present drain during heavy rains. The north branch of the Wairarapa hirer would require to have its channel widened and several shoals of shingle removed to prevent a rise of water on the low meadows adjacent to it. It is quite evident that the crook in question was many years ago diverted artificially in the direction of Papanui, and that its original course was inio the Wairarapa River, it docs not follow, however, that this is a reason for now redivorting it back again, avd to do so would, no doubt, furnish a handle for claims of damages which it might be hard to disprove. Although I am of opinion that no damage would be occasioned by flooding of properties if the drain were properly diverted, there are some properties at the head of the drain which would bo deprived of a valuable stream of water. Their paddocks would be laid entirely dry by the diversion, and they, no doubt, would have just cause for complaint and grounds for compensation. The diverting of this creek is onlypartof the improvements asked for by Mr Kruse and others, to prevent the flooding of their land, on which I have reported several times ; and if the Board will sanction the rest of the work, it may be proceeded with at once. The question of deepening part of the Canal reserve drain stands deferred till this meeting. I have accompanied a deputation of the Heathcote Road Board to the Sandhills reserve, and indicated to them the road which this Boards asks to have diverted, bat it appears that in case this can be done it will take at least six months to effect. I would recommend the Board to purchase a section of twenty acres of land situated in the sandhill reserve. J his property may give rise to claims for compensation, not only on account of the nuisance that may be felt from the sewage, but also for deprivation of road frontage if the road diversion is carried out. It would be much cheaper to purchase this piece of flat land than to level as much more of tho rough sandhills for the purpose |of sewage irrigation. Tho works of the main sewers under the contract of Mr Parsons are now finished, with tho exception of some small repairs and the necessary cleaning up of the sewers and tank. Tho laying of tho iron pipes is well advanced, and that part of tho line of pipes from the pumps to tie sluices at tho outfall drain will bo commenced this week, and as soon as this is done the engine and pumps can be tried. Part of the lino of pipes in Armagh street has had to be taken up and. re-laid, on account of the willow ro-ts getting through the joints and filling np the pipes. This has been re-laid, and every precaution taken to prevent a recurrence of the obstruction.

Clause 1 stood over the present. On clause 2 Mr Bell explained the circumstances attending the cose. Tho claimant had no right whatever to the laud. The Board declined to entertain tho request. Oa clause 3 the recommendation of the engineer w»s adopted on the motion of Mr Hall, Clauses 4 and 5 were approved. A lengthy discussion took place with regard to tho proposed diversion of tho water at North Papanui into the Wairarapa. It was ultimately agreed that the deepening and widening of tho main drain, sloping the sides of the drain on the western side of E.S. 291, and widening and deepening that through E.B. 1157 be carried out as recommended by the engineer, leaving the question of diverting the Harewood road drain to stand over. It was decided that the Board decline for the present to undertake tho work of a drain on the canal reserve as requested, With respect to tho diversion of the road as proposed and the purchase of the section as recommended by Mr Bell, it was resolved to adopt tho same, and to request tho chairman to carry out tho motter. The remainder of the clauses of the report wore adopted, and the report as a whole approved. Mr Hall brought before the Board certain resolutions of the Kicoarton Eoad Board with reference to the carrying out of some droins in the Eiccarton district, amounting in all to fifty chains. Ou the motion of Mr Harman, it was agreed that the work as asked for be done by the Board. The following correspondence was road ; From the Sydenham Borough Council, asking for a lino of pipes along Montreal street, the water being at present taken along an open ditch. From Mr Travis, requesting the Board to erect a bridge over a drain on the New Brighton road. An opinion from the solicitors was read on tho subject. From Mr T. S. Lambert, asking the Board to lay a pipe sewer to connect the channel in Baker street with Gould’s pipe. From a number of owners and occupiers of land, part of E.B. 151, Papanui, obiecting to the proposed drain being brought through or alongside their respective properties. The Board dealt with the correspondence as follows :—With respect to tho request of the Sydenham Borough Council it was referred to the engineer to report. It was resolved that tho question of Mr Travis’ claim for a bridge bo referred to the chairman, to act according to the legal opinion. Mr Lambert’s application was replied to, that the Beard could not depart from their original resolution on the subject, that the work was a Road Board matter.

Leave of absence was granted for o fortnight at Christmas to the engineer.

A letter was read from Mr Cuthbert, asking for an increase of salary. Mr Hobbs moved —“That the salaries of tho assistant engineers be raised by £SO per annum eaoh.” Mr Bell’s memo, was read, stating that ho was in favor of tho proposal to raise the salaries. Mr Blakiston seconded the motion. Mr White opposed tho resolution, and a ked for the ruling of the chairman whether Mr Bobbs was in order whilst a report of a committee fixing the salaries was on their minutes. He contended that notice tn rescind the motion already on the books must bo given. Tho Board was now thin ; three members had loft who were also members of the committee who had reported on the fixing tho salaries of tho officers. He would move as an amendment—“ That the motion be postponed till next meeting.” Mr Harman seconded the amendment. After some discussion it was agreed that Mr Hobbs’ motion be made a notice of motion for next meeting. Mr White gave notice that next meeting he should move that the wages of the day laborers be increased by fid per diem. Several accounts were passed for payment. Mr White protested against the present Board opening tenders for a work of suoh magnitude as tho expenditure of £20,000 on pipe laying. Some of tho ratepayer* were opposed to the tenders being asked for by the present Board, as it was by a side-wind pledging the new Board to carry out the work. Before the tenders were opened he entered his protest against the course now pursued. Six tenders were opened as follows : Messrs Stinson. J. Brightliug, P. Carr, J. and A, Anderson, W. Stocks, and C. Wadey. Mr W. White desired to have tho six tenders read out for the information of tho Board. After some discussion, Mr Hobbs moved—“ That the tenders bo referred to Mr Harmaa and the engineer to report upon.” Mr Roes seconded the motion.

Mr White moved as an amendment—- “ That the tenders be read to the Board before they are referred to the committee.” Mr Blakiston seconded the amendment pro forma,. Mr Harman could not see the good of the Board sitting to hear a number of figures read out.

Mr White’s amendment was put and lost.

Mr White called for a division, and said that the figures might be altered unless the Board first heard them read.

Mr Harman warmly protested against such on imputation as that sought to bo laid on some of the members of the Board or an officer of it. No member had a right to make such a statement.

The division was then taken on the amendment, as follows : —Aye, Mr White ; nocs, Messrs Ross, Harman, Hobbs, and Blakiston. It was resolved that the Board adjourn till 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday (to-morrow), for the consideration of the tenders. Tho ordinary meeting falling on the 26th, it was resolved to hold it on Tuesday, December 20th, at the usual hour.

Mr Brown gave notice to move at next meeting—“ That the drainage of Bingsland, as proposed by Mr Bell, at a cost of £3500, bo proceeded with at once.” Tho Board then adjourned.