DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2464, 28 February 1882, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The usual meeting of the above Board was held yesterday at 2.30 p.m. Present—Messrs F. Jones, Vincent, S. Manning, Hubbard, Ash worth, and Dr. Doyle. Mr Vincent was eleoted a* Chairman of the Board for the day in the absence of Mr Harper. Xne Engineer's report was read as follows : _ 1. I have had a survey and levels taken over the site'of the drain situated east of Church road and south of Innis road, which the Mayor ef St. Albans requested the Board to cut. There is no doubt that this work would keep the paddocks drier in times of heavy rain than they are at present, but it could not be made to take the place of the existing drain ; therefore, if the new drain is cut, both must be maintained. The existing drain can be made to carry away a heavy flood by widening it sufficiently, but thiß would be objectionable where it runs along the side of Toomers road. The suVject of complaint is that certain fields are flooded in heavy rains. They always were so, but lately valuable crops of chicory have been planted, which would be rained by floods in autumn, and hence the necessity of far more effective drainage. Should the Board be disinclined to cnt the new drain asked for, I would recommend that the existing drain be thoroughly repaired, and where possible widened, especially in K.B. 345, before the winter sets in. Tbe coat of the drain asked for wonld be about .£ls.

2. I have given instruction to have the flood gate repaired which Mr John Knight complained of. This gate is meant to protect a large area of very low land from being submersed at high tide. The drain which it encloses is under the care of the Board, and there has been a gate on it for many years. 3. The main sewer being completed, and the pnmpa at work, I wonld recommend the Board to advertise that connections may now be made with the sewers. 4. As the Board is having many wells put down for the purpose of flushing sewers it would be subject to much additional expense and inconvenience if the water in the flushing wells subsided so much as not to fill the underground tanks. I would therefore again urge upon the Board the importance of taking steps to preserve the level of the artesian water by requesting the Government and public bodies having large wells to put taps on them, and prevent the water from continually running to waste, whereby the pressure is diminished and tbe wells in the neighborhood suffer in having their level of discharge lowered. C. Napibr Bkm,, Engineer. The report was considered clause by olauße. On olauie 1 it was decided to adjourn the consideration of the matter till after the estimates came up. Clauses 2 and 3 were approved. On clause 4, after a little discussion, it was resolved to communioate with the Government and the City Counoil on the matter of the flow of water. The Engineer stated that 1 Iny wonld require fourteen wells and tanks for flushing purposes on Mr Btinson's contract. The following oorrespondenoe was read : From the St. Albans Borough Council, respecting flooding of Mr Spooner's property, situate at Knightstown, which it was alleged was caused by the outlet provided by the Board being insufficient. From the Heathcote Boad Board, with respect to the quantity of soil left by the contractor for pipelaying in Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford streets, also regarding the height at whioh the streets had been left The Board also drew attention to the bad state of Jackson's Creek from Hereford street to the outfall drain. The Board also wrote accepting the offer of the Drainage Board on aocount of Buckley's road. From the Biooarton Boad Board asking that the drain through the Government property in Addington might be deepened ; also, enclosing copy of a letter from Mr Baber, respecting the inadequacy of the drain on the Lincoln road, near his grain store. From Mr Gibb and others, asking the Board to fill up or oover over the drain running from the Drain road to St. Asaph street. From Mr S. Olarkson, with regard to supply of Portland cement. From Mr Attwood, enclosing account for £l2l 16s on account of rect of paddock used for drainage operations and injuries sustained by him. The Engineer reported on this that £ls was all the Board was responsible for, and that the contractor would be required to make good any damage done. From Mr John Barrett, contractor for the Madras street sewer, asking for the remission of the £3O fine inflicted on him for non completion of oontract. From Mr Toon, asking that the bridge over tbe main drain at St, Albans should be strengthened. The correspondence was dealt with as follows : —With respeot to the letter from the St. Albans Borough Council, it was resolved to reply that the work had been done. The Engineer stated that the contractor had been warned to remove the soil complained of by the Heathcote Boad Board, but he had not done so. It was resolved to inform the contractor that if the earth was not removed at once the Board would do it at his oost. With regard to the complaint of the Biocarton Boad Board respecting the Addington drain, it was resolved to refer it to the engineer to report, as also was Mr Baber's letter. The question of the drain from Drain road to St. Asaph street was postponed till next meeting. It was resolved to inform Mr S. Olarkson that the Board did not require any cement. The question of Mr Attwood's claim was referred to the works committee and the engineer to report upon. With respeot to Mr Barrett's request, Mr Jones moved—" That as the question has been carefully considered by the former Board, the preient Board decline to re-open the question." Mr Ash worth seconded the motion, wh'o'i wis agreed to. Mr Toon's letter was referred to the engineer to report upon. Aooounts to the amount of £6798 7s 7d were passed for payment.

The Board then went into committee to consider the report of the finance committee, which was discussed at some length, and the further consideration adjourned. On resuming Mr Jones moved—" That the portion of the Avon distriot constituted the municipality of St. Albans be constituted a district for rating purposes. Also, that that portion of the Avon district which has been annexed to tbe Kicoarton distriot be added to that district for rating purposes." Mr Manning seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Jones then moved, pursuant to notice : —"That culverts crossing roads which are sufficient for the purposes of the Drainage Board, should be kept in repair by the local bodies, but if such culverts are not sufficient to oarry the drainage, the Board will build a sufficient oulverfc at their own expense, but the duty of maintaining such culverts in repair shall then become a liability of the local bodies. That the Drainage Board should keep in order the watercourses throughout their whole length, the looal bodies to maintain all culverts and bridges ; the Board also to clear out the watercourses under culverts and bridges." Some little discussion ensued, and ultimately the motion was deferred until next meeting of the Board. Only one tender was received for flumeß, and the Board decided to call for fresh tenders. The Board then adjourned.