DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2522, 9 May 1882, Page 4

DRAINAGE BOARD.

An ordinary meeting wa* held yesterday. Present—Mr W. Harper (chairman), and Messrs J. B. Parker, W, F. Hubbard, A. Ashworth, B. Manning, F. Jones, W. Vincent, and Dr. Doyle. Messrs Palmer and Kerr waited as a deputation re a Brain at New Brighton said to now be within the supervision of the Board. Besolved that the works committee be requested to inspect the drain. The Assistant-Engineer reported that tho contracts for clearing drains expired on 30r,h April, and recommended that, tenders be called by advertisement, and that the period bo fixed at two years instead of one, as this plan would give contractors more interest in their work.—Adopted. In view of a greater number of applications for licenses to connect being received than hitherto, the Engineer had revised the agreement, and .drafted one in connection with plumbers’ licenses, which he recommended should be issued.—Adopted. A connection with tho old city overflow drain had been made without permission. The owner had since made good the aperture cut in the side of the drain.—Agreed to adopt the suggestion that no further action bo taken in the matter. A tramway siding had been inadvertently constructed by the company over one of the znan-holes in connection with the Ferry road stormwater sower. Should the company agree to abandon all right-of-way over the siding at suoh times as the man-hole may be open, no hindrance to the Board’s operations would ensue. Beferred to the Board’s solicitors for “opinion.” A suggestion that certain articles comprising engine, pumps, Ac., should be ■old by auction, was adopted. Permission was granted to have printed the agreement *nd licenses referred to ; also, a specification to bo attached to the various contracts for clearing rivers and drains. Bo Sydenham Borough Council's complaint of the flooded •tate of Colombo road and Bowen street, the Engineer stated that, at the termination of tho storm water sewer at Battersea street, a 15-in. gully connection pipe had been substituted for a 12 in, and the latter was choked during last heavy rain. It would be ■ufficiont if the culverts at private and road crossings were made sufficiently large. [ln this connection a letter was read from the Town Clerk, Sydenham, that at the Council s last meeting a deputation from owners of property in Bowen and streets, wanted on it with a view to ascertaining what steps had been taken for the relief of the surface drainage of the locality. The deputation urged that, in consequence of tho deficiency of tho outlet drains Colombo street and the streets lying between Battersea street and Lord St. Leonard’s streets, which abut on it, were flooded during heavy rain. On one occasion the down pipes of the Presbyterian Church burst, the gutters overflowing and doing considerable damage to the church. Tho clerk again intimated that a much larger body of water was allowed to flow along Colombo street than should be taken in an open channel, and that the drain in that street ■hould be extended or part of tho water should be diverted. The Board’s engineer had already reported that the water now Mowing down Colombo street should be cut off at Pound road, and with the water of that road should be taken to the river Heathcote.] The engineer’s report was adopted, the Board feeling satisfied a 15in pipe will satisfy present requirements. The engineer had visited Moa Place and New street with the works committee, and subsequently with the city surveyor. To put things in a condition fairly approaching their original state would cost £l5O, which tho engineer recommended should be paid to the City Council on the understanding that tho settlement be final. Amount was passed for payment. The dis cussion on a prepared estimate of the extension of pipe sowers recommended to be laid was allowed to stand over. A letter from the Hon. J. T. Peacock re xe-oonsideration of the application to have a connection from a vault to tho main drain down St. Albans lane was referred to the works committee.

The City Surveyor wrote that, in going along Colombo street on the 4th instant, ho observed that the road where the drainage works had been carried on was being repaired with nnsoreened gravel, and, as this was a macadamised road he was sure the Board would agree that gravel was a very unsuitable material to use. Macadamised roads should be repaired with broken stone ; shingle roads with screened shingle, but not, as in some eases which had occurred, with very sandy gravel. Beferred to the engineer. The clerk to Bt. Albans Borough Council wrote that in March the Mayor wared on the Drainage Board touching the insufficient outlet for water from section 324 and adjoining land across Toon’s road, and was promised that the engineer would inspect and report. Early attention was requested, that sufficient outlet might be provided before the wet season set in. Beferred to the works committee.

The chairman to the Avon Eoad Board wrote re requesting permission to close streets in Bingsland, that he had authorised the closing of such streets as should necessarily be closed for drainage purposes. The clerk to the Heathcote Boad Board forwarded a resolution passed by that body—- “ That the Drainage Board be informed that, unless it places this Board in a position to colleot its rate in the district by the 15th instant, this Board cannot undertake to colleot the same.” Letter received.

The clerk to the same Board wrote, asking if this Board would put in a sump on the east side of Stanmore road and Gloucester street, so that a large quantity of stagnant water could be drained into it, Mr Jones said the matter oonld be understood only on personal observation on the ground. It being proposed to refer the matter to the engineer, acting in conjunction with the works committee, Mr Hubbard took occasion to deprecate the idea of referring every little matter to the works committee. Beferred to the engineer. The clerk to the same Board wrote that it was not aware there was a bridge in the district commonly known as Altwood’s. Permission to erect a bridge over the outfall drain in a continuation of Parish street, New Cambridge, reserve 584, was given by a letter from the secretary, dated June, 1831, in reply to a request from the Heathcote Board for such permission. Mr Parker said it was rumored that some t>E the Board’s timber bad been used, end the assistant engineer mentioned that an account hsd been sent in for £4 for such timber. Ijetter received and deemed satisfactory. The clerk to the same Board wrote that, at the request of the inhabitants of the several streets adjoining the drain in Drain road, it was about to erect bridges over the open drain, and therefore was anxious to know what waterway the Drainage Board wished left. Referred to tne engineer, with instructions to communicate with Heathcote Boad Board. A letter was received from Mr P. W. Isitt ro drain. The secretary was instructed to write to Mr Isitt, referring to previous correspondence, the Board to reserve rights, unless agreement is carried out. Mr P. Moore, Henly street, wrote to claim £3O as compensation for the Board’s claim to ■ right to make an open drain through his ground, the drain spoiling hia section for building purposes. Beferred to works committee to report.

Mr T. Davenport wrote, claiming £1 8i for new shaft to cab and setting iron work, the repairs having been necessitated by his mare being thrown down by putting one of her legs in a hole in the road, caused by the linking of a filling over of the drain at crossing of Gloucester street and Bast town belt on the night of 14th April. Account to bo referred to the local contractor.

Mr O. Tirtue’B application for permission to make a drain into an outfall drain was granted. Mr H. Barrett, bricklayer, requested a license to connect with main sewers. Granted, •abject to engineer’s approval. The execution of a power of attorney to the Bank of New Zealand re stock was authorised.

Resolved work for affording relief to Mr Kruse’s property, and that his claim for compensation be declined.” Mr Oowlishaw wrote, enclosing printed copies of the proposed Drainage Amendment Bill, of which several were laid on the table. On Mr Jones’ motion it was resolved—l. “That a representative from each of the "various local bodies comprised within the Christchurch district drainage area be invited to meet this Beard, to confer on the subjects contained in the clauses _ of the proposed Amendment Act, the meeting to be held at as early a date as possible, time and place to be arranged by the chairman of this Board. 3. That the members of Parliament for the

district, and also Messrs B. J. S. Harman and John Ollivier, be invited to attend the meeting.” , Mr Hubbard’* motion—" That Bingsland storm water sower contract be extended to the full amount allocated, namelr, £3167 ; main concrete carrier to be extended, and a drain put in down Perth street North,” will be considered at a special meeting. Account* amounting to £476 61 lid on rate account and £IOB6 3i on loan account wore passed for payment. Notice of motion—“ That £633, standing on the estimate of expenditure for 1882 for drainage of Bingsland be allocated for that purpose.”—(Mr Hubbard). The Board rose at ten minute* after five o’clock.