DRAINAGE BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2679, 7 November 1882, Page 4

DRAINAGE BOARD.

1 The usual meeting of the Board was held at 3 p.m. yesterday. Present—Messrs L. Harper (chairman), W. White, jun., J. E. Parker, S. Manning, A. Ashworth, and Dr. Hoyle. An apology for non-attendance was read from Mr Hubbard. Captain Fisher waited on the Board with reference to the ford placed in the river Heathcote by Messrs Austin and Kirk, ■which he contended would be likely at some time to do damage to the land adjoining. After some discussion it was resolved that the engineer be requested to report on the matter.

The engineer’s report was read and discussed.

It was resolved that the portion of Jackoon’s creek between St. Asaph street and the Drain road be abandoned, and that £25 be paid to Mr Coombs as compensation for the easement of a piece of land. In respect to the charges for connection, the engineer suggested that the schedule prices should be .abandoned, and those desirous of making •connections should be able to make such arrangements as they may deem advisable with the licensees, leaving it to the inspector to see the work carried out. Some discussion took place on this subject, in the course of which Mr White said that he had been told that the officers of the Board had been touting for one of the licensees to get the work of connections. After this it was agreed unanimously to adopt the recommendation of the engineer as to the abandonment of the schedule of prices for connections. The license of Mr W. Prrdhoe was renewed as recommended.

The engineer was instructed to obtain a letter from the contractor with respect to the carrying on of his contract by the Board at his cost.

The following correspondence was read : —Prom the City Council, enclosing a copy of the report of the city surveyor on the cleaning out of the sumps in various parts of the city. ‘From the Borough Council, Sydenham, with respect to damage done by the Board to streets in the borough by pipe-laying, and enclosing an account for £509 10s, claim for damage so done. A memo, was read from the engineer to the Hoard, recommending that a more detailed statement should be furnished. Prom the Heathcote Road Board, stating that a person was appointed by them to impound all stray cattle. From Mr C. E. Salter, asking -the Board to lay a pipe along Holly road, so that ho could connect therewith. Prom Mr S. Edwards, asking that the Board would not insist on his putting down two settling boxes in his shingle pits. From the East Christchurch school committee, asking permission to connect the Glouces•tor street school bath with th& sewer. From MV Stocks, asking for an extension of time of one month on the Tuam street No. 3 pipe-laying contract, owing to the nature of the ground and other circumstances. Prom Mr H. Knowles, offering to raise the bridge put, by him over the Heathcote within six months. The correspondence was ddalt with as follows:—The letter of the Sydenham Borough Council wag referred to the engineer. In respect to Mr Salter’s letter, it was resolved to reply that the Board regretted very much that it had no fundb for the purpose asked for. Regarding Mr Stanley Edwards’ letter, it was resolved that he bo informed, if he uses the pits, that he must have 3ft settling boxes. The letter of the East Christchurch school committee was referred to the engineer to report upon. "With respect to Mr Stocks’ letter, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr White, that the consideration of the matter be deferred until after the completion of the contract. The request made by Mr Knowles was dealt with by a resolution that the Board would not interfere with the matter.

The report of the works committee was xead as follows :

Re diversion of water in Bligh’s road, your committee cannot recommend the work to be done. It would be absolutely necessary to obtain the consent of owners of property through which the creek runs before commencing the work, if the Board decided to do it. No doubt, the principal cause of overflow is in consequence of pipes being substituted for a 3ft culvert. The Board cannot prevent .occasional flooding of properties from exceptional weather, jrach as that experienced over twelve months ago. Your committee cannot see ’the necessity of a fence on Prestons and Hawkins roads, as they are chain roads and the traffic not very large. Your committee as of opinion that the Board should take •over a further portion of Preston’s creek and have it bottomed, and also the Sawyers’ Arms drain from the Sawyers’ Arms road bo the culvert on the North road. Your committee thinks that as the deepening of -the Canal Reserve drain is for the benefit of one proprietor, any work undertaken should be under clause 33 of the Christchurch District Drainage Act. With regard to works at the Sandhills, your committee after visiting the locality is of opinion that it would be false economy to engage any mn.n that was not personally known to the officers or members of the Board, as it would be impossible to supervise the ■work at all times, and has therefore authorised the engineer to engage William Rouse at nine (9) shillings a day, and the house on the section, recently purchased by the Board, to live in. It will also bo necessary to purchase a pair of horses, a plough, harness, and scoop to carry on necessary works. The committee have authorised the engineer to pay overtime to T. Eares, foreman •on the Tuam street works, in consequence of the contractor working two relays of men, be having exceeded the time specified for completing the contract. The report was considered clause by clause. That part of the report respecting Preston’s Creek was deferred. The other -clauses of the report were approved. The finance committee submitted to the Board a report giving the amounts for which the sub-districts under the Board’s ■control were respectively indebted to it, and recommended that the local bodies, as collectors of the rates, be requested to at once sue Tor all rates outstanding in their respective districts. Christchurch was shown as being indebted to the amount of £2620 7s; Sydenham, .£1582 11s lid; St. Albans, £305 18s Od; Avon. £997 4s 5d ; Heathcote, £1393 8s Cd ; Riccarton, £126 Is Id; and Spreydon, £ll6 2s sd. The report as a whole was adopted, and the various local bodies requested to sue at once for the outstanding rates. Accounts to the amount of £ll7B 14s ■were passed for payment. The Board then adjourned.