DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2478, 16 March 1882, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

An adjourned meeting of the Board was hold at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Present— Messrs L, Harper (chairman). W. Vincent, P. Jones, J. E. Parker, W. White, jun., P. Hubbard, S. Manning, A. Ashworth and Dr, Doy’e. A deputation from the Sydenham Borough Council, comprising his Worship the Mayor, Ore, Brown and Joyce, waited on the Beard with reference to a nuisance existing in Lord Brougham street, Sydenham, consisting of an open ditch, and asking for a covered drain to be put down instead of the present open one. Or. Hall explained the position and locality of the ditch.

Mr Jones enquired whether Lord Brougham street was synonymous with Going's road. Or. Hall said it was. The reason why the ditch was now full of water was that the people drained into it. Mr Brown said the water was at present corered with a thick green ecum, and quite stagnant.

The Engineer explained that what the deputation required was a sewer about thirty chains long. The deputation then retired. Mr White suggested that the works committee of the Board should visit the spot. He moved—“ That the matter be referred to the works committee and the engineer to report,” which was agreed to. The Board then proceeded to consider the report of the finance committee, which was as follows:

1. The finance committee have mat several times during the past fortnight, and have carefully considered the financial position of the Board, with a view to striking the rate for the year, the estimates for which are appended. 2. It will be seen from these that the estimated balance ol the loan at the end of the year will be £5236 8s 4d, which, in the opinion of the committee, should be retained for the levelling, Ac , of the sandhills, and iu case any accident should occur to the pumping machinery, or the subsidence of a main sewer. 3. It will also ba seen that the committee have only made provision for the salaries of the engineer, assistant-engineer, and draughtsman, at current rates of salary, to 30th September, as they are of opinion that after that date the services of one engineer will be sufficient to carry out any works that may be necessary. 4. The Board, no doubt, is aware that a portion of the Avon district has been created a borough, while another portion has been annexed to the Eiccarton district; the committee, therefore, recommend that the borough be constituted a district for rating purposes, and the portion annexed to the Eiccarton district be deemed to be a portion of that district for rating purposes. Feeling that this would meet with the approval of the Board, the committee have calculated the rate to be levied on each of the Bnbdistricts. 5. It will further ba seen that the snbdistrict of rural Avon shows a slight deficit, owing to the deficit on back rates, and the amount required to meet interest and sinking fund on the money proposed to be allocated for the drainage of Biogsland, which the committee is of opinion must be done at once, as the health of this portion of the district demands. 6. The committee are of opinion that four par cant, commission would be a fair and ample remuneration for the collection of the city rates, and six per cent, for the other bodies, and have written to them asking whether they will be prepared to collect the rates for this year at these commissions. The committee also informed them that the Board expects to be able to strike the rate as soon as the valuations are received. 7. In order that these estimates ba not exceeded, the committee would recommend that the engineer receive instructions to report all matters involving an expenditure of more than £5 to the Board or the works committee before commencing the work. (Signed) War. Vincent, Chairman. Mr Vincent moved—“ That the report be adopted ” Mr Jones seconded the motion.

A claim for £421 as compensation for damages was read from Mr Kruse. The Chairman said this claim would haye to stand over till next meeting, because this was only an adjourned meeting to finish the business left undone on last Monday. Mr White pointed out that a promise had been given to Mr Kruse at last meeting that his application for drainage would be considered later on. Mr White moved—“ That the second clause of the report, recommending that the balance of the loan be kept in the hands of the Board to meet any damage to the main sewer or the pumping station, be struck out of the report." He did this because the Board would not be able to use this balance for anything but the purposes enumerated in the report. Besides, any repairs which were necessary to he done should be defrayed out of rate. Mr Vincent suggested that they should add the words “ or for any other works that might be decided upon by the Board to be carried out."

Mr White’s motion for striking out clause 2 was then put and agreed to. Tho Board then proceeded to consider clause 3, providing for the salaries of the engineer and assistant engineer up to September only. Mr Jones said the committee were of opinion that, the works being so far advanced, they could well dispense with the services of the engineer, Mr O. N. Bell. With this view the committee proposed, under tho agreement with Mr Bell, to give him six months’ notice at the termination of the agreement. The clause was put and agreed to. Clause 4, divid.ng the districts, was put and agreed to, Mr White, Mr Parker, and Mr Ashworth dissenting.

Clause 5 was next put and agreed to without discussion, as were also the remaining clauses of the report. In reply to Mr Jones, the Chairman stated that notice of motion for giving the engineer three months’ notice would have to bo given for next meeting. A letter was read from Messrs Harman and Stevens making application, as agents for Hon. Mr Hall, for permission to fill up that part of Jackson’s creek contained within his section.

The engineer said he had inspected the locality and saw no reason why Jackson’s creek should not be filled up. At present it was filled up at both ends. Mr White moved —“ That the engineer ba requested to report upon the matter, and that the works committee have cower to carry out the work if recommended by the engineer.” This was put and agreed to. Mr Yincont reported on behalf of the committee to whom the claim for £l2l 16* made by Mr Attwood for damage done by the contractor for the pumping station, &0., was -eferred. The recommended that t matter ;,e settled by going before the Resident Magistrate. Mr Bell said that bis report on the matter was that the Board was liable for some £ls. Mr Hubbard said he considered th ti e Board was liable to pay the sum o for damage done to the land by putting down a pipe trench, which he thought was a reasonable claim. This was also the only part of the claim which could be dealt with by the Board. The rest of the claim, ho thought, must ba settled by allowing Mr Attwood to sue the Board.

The Chairman pointed out that the claim being over £SO, could not be heard before a magistrate, but must be taken before the District Court or a jury. He would suggest that the case should be heard in the District Court it possible. Mr Bell pointed out that the Board were

bound to give the contractor access to hi* work, and any damage that occurred they ought to pay, but any damage caused by negligence on the part of the contractor, inch as _ leaving gates open, &c., would have to be paid by the contractor. Mr Parker suggested that the Board should offer Mr Attwood a certain sum in full of all demands.

Mr White said that the contractor should have notice that this claim had been made. Mr Vincent moved—“ That the sum of £2O be offered to Mr Attwood in satisfaction of his claim against the Board," which wo* carried.

Mr Parker moved —“ That the contractor be furnished with a copy of the claim sent in for damage alleged to have been caused by his neglect; he being also informed that the Board admits their liability to the amount of £20.”

The motion was agreed to. The Board then proceeded to consider Mr Bell’s application for leave of absence. Mr Bell pointed out that he was.not precluded by the agreement from taking consulting practice, but the Board having persistently refused to give him such peKpission, had rendered the clause put into haigreement sit his request, enabling him to do so with permission of the Board, quite nugatory. He had carried out the whole of the very dificult and intricate works of the Board on his own responsibility, though he had been informed that he should have a consulting engineer. Some discussion ensued, and ultimately Mr Jones moved—“ That Mr Bell be granted two months’ leave of absence, on the condition that his salary stop during the period,” Mr Manning suggested that three mouths' salary should be given to Mr Bell and hi* engagement terminated. Mr Ashworth seconded the motion, Mr Vincent moved request be granted.” Dr. Doyle seconded the motion. Mr Jones’ motion was lost on the voices. Mr Hubbard moved—“ That the engineer be asked whether ha would shorten his term of absence or take the full term at half pay;” This was agreed to, and the engineer was requested to say what his views were on the subject. The Engineer stated that he intended the Board to understand that he intended to provide a substitute at his own cost during the time he was absent. The Board decided to ask the engineer whether be would accept the terms of Mr Jones’ resolution, viz., taking his leave without pay, or shorten the term of absence asked for. Mr Bell stated that be intended to employ another man at his own cost to do the levelling. He would arrange with Mr Onthbert in the meanwhile to undertake the general supervision of the works. Mr Jones said it was to be regretted thi» had not been stated at first, as it would have prevented him from moving his resolution. In reply to Mr White,

Mr Bell stated that the assistant he intended to employ to do the levelling was Mr M. Davie.

After some discussion, it was resolved—- “ That the application of Mr Bell for leave of absence be agreed to ; Mr Bell to arrange with Mr Outhbert to carry on the work during bis absence, additional assistance to Mr Outhbert being provided at Mr Bell's expense.” On this the Board divided as follows :—Ayes : Messrs Vincent, Manning, Parker, Hubbard, and Dr, Doyle; noos: Messrs Jones, Ashworth, and White. Tenders for fluming were opened, and Mr White moved—“ That the tender of Mr Macnamara for £237 be accepted, on hi* filling up the schedule.'* The Engineer pointed out that Mr Macnamara’s tender was informal, as be had not filled up the schedule as provided in the specification.

Mr Jones moved—“ That in consideration of tbe near oompletion of the main drainage works, the engineer, assistant engineer,, and draughtsman receive six months* notice that their services will bo dispensed with." Mr White seconded the motion, which wa■ carried.

The following notices of motion were given :—By Mr Vincent—“ That persona wishing to connect closets who have sufficient water supply be allowed to do so upon receiving permission from the Board.” By Mr Jones—“ That a committee, consisting of Messrs Harper, White, Vincent, Dr. Doyle, and the mover, be appointed to consider what amendments are required in the Christchurch District Drainage Act; to report to the Board at an early date.” By Mr Hubbard—“ That licenses be granted to all applicants for making house connections upon production of satisfactory testimonials, such license to contain a proviso that the first defective connection made by a licensee which shall ba shown to be the result of negligence on the part of the said licensee, his license shall be forfeited, and such licensee shall be ineligible for a fresh license.” The Board adjourned at 6 p m.