DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2631, 12 September 1882, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The usual meeting of the Ohristohurch D : strlo!i Drainage Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs. Harper (chairman), Parker, Vincent, Dunbar, S. Manning. The Chairman said the Christohurch Drainage Aot Amendment Bill hed been shelved, so that it was now for the Board to deoide whether they would, under the resolution already passod, grant the permission to persons to oonneot closets with sewers. The sslicitors of the Board given it as their opinion that the Board had power, so long as the connections were not a nuisanoe, to give the permission asked for. He laid before the Bjard two forms which the occupiers would be required to sign when obtaining permission. They had, they must remember, a resolution under date of March 27th agreeing to grant the permission in cases where the water supply was good enough to flash the pipes thoroughly. They had now before them a number of applications for connection with the savers, and it would perhaps be better to dispose of this question before the ordinary business. The officers of the Board under the permits and applications could inspeot the premises of the applicant and see that the conditions were oarried out. Mr Parksr would like to know if the engineer had a properly matured scheme for connection with the sewers. Mr Cuthbert said he believed Mr Bell had prepared a plan showing the proposed scheme of ventilation in couneolion .with the proposal. Mr Parker said he thought they should postpone this matter until the plan was before them. Mr Cuthbert said that the work would be carried out as if the plans were before the Board.

Mr Dunbar asked if the engineer had made arrangements for the disposal of the sewage at the sandhills, so that it would not be a nuisance.

In reply to questions, Mr Cuthbert stated that the fittings of the closets, hi , would be under the supervision of tbe engineer.

Mr Dunbar said thai the only question affecting his district was the disposal of the sewage. Mr Parker said that Mr Dunbar need not be afraid, as it had been proved that the establishment of sewage farms greatly improved the health of the adjacent districts. Mr Vinoent said he would move—" That permission to connect b 8 granted so soon as the engineer re porta that he has made the necessary arrangements, suoh permits to be in the form submitted."

Mr Manning seoonded the motion, which was put and carried, Mr Dunbar alone dissenting, on account of the harm likely to arise in his district.

The Chairman stated that the engineer had requested the members of the Board to visit the Sandhills, to see the working of the sewage pumps. It was agreed that the Board should leave the office at 11 a.m. on Thursday. The report of the Engineer was read as follows:

1. The contract for clearing the Bivera Avon and Heathcote, and Horseshoe Lake, expires on the 20th October. In re-letting the work it is important that the contract should terminate in winter, say on the 3lst May. I would therefore recommend that it be let for one year and seven months. The Anacharis weed is extending rapidly over the Heathcote river, which until lately was free from it; this will cause a considerable increase of expense in clearing. 2. Mr W. Stocks has agreed to lay the 9in. pipe in Pound road at his schedule of prices. 3. In Cashel street East mnch water and sand was discovered to be coming down the pipes ; search was made for the cause, when a pipe was discovered which had been broken bv the workmen and covered up. It has been taken out and repaired, and the sand cleaned ont. 4. In regard to the complaint of Mr McFadden. This matter was referred to the works committee many months ago, which reported that a bridge had been removed by the Bead Board and a p'pa laid in its place, which pipe gives insufficient waterway. The Avon Boad Board was written to requesting the obstruction to be removed, but no action has been taken by that body. 5. Mr Stocks is making very satisfactory progress with his pip-claying contract, including that in Tuam street, where so far the ground has proved favorable. 6. The fencing of the machinery by hand rails at the pumping station, as required by the Government Inspector, is being cariied out. The clauses were considered seriatim. Clause 1 was put and it was resolved that tenders be called for the clearing the Bivers Heathcote and Avon, as recommended by the engineer. Clauses 2 and 3 were passed. On olause 4it was decided to refer Mr McFadden to the Avon Boad Board. The remainder of the report was approved. Messrs Low and G-reig waited on the Board with referenoe to the drainage of the creek that ran through their property at Papanui. The culverts had broken down and stopped up the creek* The water lay round their houses and stagnated. What they required was for the Drainage Board to widen tho creek. The Boad Board said it was a Drainage Board matter, and the Drainage Board said it was a Boad Board matter. He might say that the Boad Board would, if the Drainage Board made the cutting as asked for, renew the oulverts which would take the water away. The Chairman said that if the Boad Board undertook by letter to do the culverts, then the Drainage Baard would consider tho matter.

The question wai then referred to the engineer to report upon. The following correspondence was read from the Sydenham Borough Council, enclosing copy of the report of their foreman of works regarding the repair of the streets of Sydenham after the Drainage Board contractor. From the Avon Eoad Board, forwarding statement of expenses inoarred in fencing tho side of the drain on Phillpott'a road. The total amount was £2 7e 9d. From Mr Outhbert, accepting the position of resident engineer. From Mr McNamara, asking the Board to remit certain fines in connection with his contract, and also allow him compensation for the al eged negligence of the inspector, Mr Napper. Enclosed were statements from F. B. Lloyd and Go. and John Smith, timber merchants, that they were unable, through various ciroumstances, to supply Mr McNamara with timber as ordered. A memo. was appended from the engineer, stating that he did not reoommend any of the penalty to be remitted, as the work was not done with any diligence, and was carried out in a negligent and BloTecly manner. From Messrs Harper and Co., asking for payment of the balance due on Mr Parson's contract, viz.— £2718 8j 43 ; also pointing out that they understood for the first time tfcat the Board intended to deduct penalties from tho amount due under the contract, notwithstanding th.it a resolution had been passed to the contrary. A further letter asked that the matter should bo brought before the Beard, es Mr Parsons was quite unaware of the rescinding of the resolution relieving him of penalties. _ The letter further asked the Board to again take the matter of penalties into conaiderr.tion. From Messrs G-arrick and Co *lijhaw, calling attention to the faot that Mr Shand, assignee of Parson's contract, declined to Booepfc a cheque for £l6lß 8s 43, disputing the cUim for penalties, viz—twenty-two weeks at £SO, £llOO. From Mr Broughton, calling atten. tion to th offensive state of the drain parsing his h;.use inMerivale lane. From sixteen residents in the neighborhood of Piper's lane, asking that the Board put a sump in Piper's lane, oonnecting with the main sewer, for the purpose of effectually draining the lano. From Mr Jas. Coomber, claiming £56, for occupanoy of seotion in Bingsland during construction of sewer, and olao for permanent occupation of another unction. From Kir J Calvert, applying for £1 Is for extra work done on tho Church read. From Mr G-. B. Hill, calling attention to the stagnant state of water adjoining his property at Lower Biooarton. From Mr Spaceman, informing the Beard that Mr F. Or. P. Leaoh wt.s about to oommence an action against Mr Stinson tor damages to bu?py and harness caused by <!:e negligence of Mr Stinson's servants, amounting to £l2 13s and costs. From Mr Nipper, second assistant engineer, asking; tho Bas.rd to give the public a reason—good, bid, or indifferent—why he had been treated in auch au offhand manner. He pointed out that or> the retirement of Mr Anderson the Board advertised for an engineer, while after dismissing all the engineers the Board in committee re-eleated one of those dicnaicsEed, without advertising, whioh had lod the public to ooEsider that there must be ioho rcf.son detrimental to his charaoter that he bad brea passed over, though on account of lOJfllh ac service and knowledge of work o-r>. netted with drainage, he was entitled to consideration in the nutter. From Mr Gls-rk, tendering his resignation as inspector. Fiom iMaasrs Bigwood and Letford, appljing for a \ license for plumbing in connection with the 'main sewers. From Mr Stocks, applying for a

! ice me for making home connections, and front Mr T. H?-bbs asking for a similar concession. A summons was received from the Resident Magistrate's Court calling upon the Board to attend on the 26. h September with regard to the claim for compensation of Mr Attwood. j he 0.-rreßpondence waß dealt with as folios :—The Board resolved with regard to the letter of the Sydenham Borough Council to icoeive it. The letter of the Avon Boad Board weg referred to the engineer. On the q'.ifstion of Mr McNamari's letter it was resolved to refa- it to the wotks committee for a rsport theraon. The Board declined to decide the matter of Mr Parson's contract at t!m present stage of affairs, Mr Broughton'a letter was referred to the Board of Health. 'i'ho Board decided with reference to the petition from Piper's Una to refer the matter to the engineer. The claim of Mr Goomber was referred to the crgineer. The request from Mr Calvert was agreed to. Mr Hill's letter was referred to the Board of Health. Mr Spaokman's letter was reoeived. With r r .i»ard to Mr Napper'e latter Mr Vincent said the works committee had considered the olaius of Mr Onthbert as Mr Napper*« superior tJßoer, and as there was only one engineer required they had considered it their duty to select Mr Cuthbert. In doing this thore waa no intention on the part of the worbß oorami tee to cist any reflection upon Mr Napper. Ic was ri solved to reply that the appointment of Mr Nipper's superior officer was without any intention to reflect upon Mr Napper'i ability. The applications of Messrs fiigwood and Letford, Slocks, and Thomas Hobbs with reference to connections were referred to the works committee. The matter re Attwood'* compact*tion was referred to the solioitor. The report of the works committee was read as follows :

The cainmittoe beg to report that the several matters referred to them have received their consideration, and they would recommend:—l. That licenses to make connections with the sewers be granted to the following persons : John Eaerson, John Smith, and Henry Kobinson. 2. That the B ard's high cpinioa of the able manner in which Mr Charles Kap er Bell has discharged the A.fficnlt task entrusted to him of carrying out Mr Clark's drainage schome be placed on record. 3. The culvert at the Canal Keserve, made partly of timber, which the Board authorited to be cleared out, having been found to be rotten, the committee, on the recommendation of the ergineer, authorised a line of ! Sin pipes to ba laid in place of the same. 4. With reference to the drainage of Lin wood, the committee regret they cannot recommend any suitable scheme with the moans at {he disposal of the Board. 5. The committee would also recommend that the tender of T. Brightling ba accepted for the extension of the Gasworks road sewer.

On clause 2, Mr Parker moved—" That Mr C. N. Bell be appointed as consulting engineer to the Board, and that be be requeued to state on what terms he will accept tee office."

After some discussion, on the suggestion of the chairman, the fallowing words were added to the clause :—" And that he be requested to acor.pt the position of consulting engineer to the Board." On clause 4, Dr. Doyle moved—" That th» work be carried out, provided.the Boadßoard or thoie interested provide the balance of the funds necessary." The motion on being put was agreed to. The report as a whole was aocFpted. Mr Vincent, on behalf of the finance committee, reported that they had taken the advice of the solicitor on tho subj«r)fc of Mr Toomer'e claim, end h»d been advised that they were not in a position to treat with him or to admit any liability in the matter unless it were proved.

It was resolved that the Board decline to admit any liability in the matter of Ml Toomer'e claim. Accounts to the amount of £Bl7l 10j Id were passed for payment. The Board then a ijourced.