DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2642, 26 September 1882, Page 4

DRAINAGE BOARD.

Tho following is the conclusion of the prcceadings at the Drainage Board yesterday, the commencement of which was given in last night’s issue. The Engineer’s report was considered clause by clause. Nos. 1 to 3 wore agreed to ; No. 4 was referred to the works committee ; No. 5 was referred to the finance committee, Tho engineer was empowered to advertise for tenders for what cement was required. Respecting a letter received on the 13th September from Mr Ephraim Xoomer, asking tho members of the Drainage Board to call on their way to visit the pumping station, on September 14th, to see the annoyance and injury the writer and his family suffered owing to the pumping station being built so near his house, certain members who had stood near the property said they had failed to detect the nuisance complained of. The letter was received. Mr F. Moor wrote, stating that the drain made through his garden bad caused him considerable damage, for which he claimed £6, and which, if not made good within a week, ho should reck to recover by legal process. Mr W. Yinoont moved, and it was agreed—- “ That the Board disclaims any liability in tho matter.” Prom Messrs Harper and Co., proposing certain excisions from the proposed deed of agreement for arbitration in Parsons’ claims by the Board’s solicitors. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Parker —“ That the matter be referred to the finance committee, with power to act under tho recommendation of the engineer’s state* ment of December 12th, 1882, by which a further sum of £350 for seven weeks would be given to him.” Mr John Toon, St. Albans, wrote, reiterating hia former claim for damages sub. tained by the Board’s action, and asking that a bridge be put over the drain on hia land similar to those provided by the Board for his neighbors. It was agreed to refer the matter to the works committee. The works committee’s report was then read as under;— The committee beg to report that the request of Mr McNamara, contractor for constructing flumes and drains at the Sandhills, to have the fine of £7O imposed by the engineer for noncompletion of the contract within specified time, remitted, has received their attention, and they would advise that the flue be reduced to £2O. The committee would recommend that plumbers’ licenses be granted to Mr T. Havelland to the firm of Messrs Bigwood and Retford. They wonld also recommend that the next contract for clearing the rivers Avan and Hoathoote and tho Horseshoe Lake extend over a - period of two years and seven months, instead of tho time suggested by the engineer and agreed upon by the Board at its last meeting, viz., one year and seven months. With reference to the first clause, Mr White was of opinion that it was useless imposing penalties if they were to be remitted. It seemed that first one and then the other contractor came to the Board, and for some reason or on some pretenos got their fines reduced. If some good reason was shown for remitting the fine in this instance it would be different to the plea set forth, because if bis timber was delayed the timber merchant should be looked te. Dr. Doyle and others having spoken to the question, the clause was agreed to, and the report as a whole was adopted. Expenditure on loan account to the sum of £I9BO 6i 9d, and of £9l on rate account was authorised. Mr White would like to know if something could not be done in the mutter of tho Sydenham streets. The Borough Council were taking steps to again place the streets in proper repair, and intended charging the Board with same. It was agreed that the claim of the Borough he made, and if needs be deducted from tho contractors’ payment, and also that the Engineer make enquiries in tho matter. In reply to Mr White, it was stated that the Board could not compel persons to make bouse connections. Mr White would like to know how it was that some of ihe officers of the Board were leading people to believe otherwise. It was pointed out that perhaps that arose as showing how to abate a nuisance. All the power tho Board possets 3d in tho direction indicated being to compel nuisances to be abated. The Board then adjourned till October 9tb, at 3 p.m.