DRAINAGE BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6488, 13 December 1881, Page 6

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Christchurch District Drainage Board was held at 2 p.m. yesterday; present—Messrs H. J. levered (Chairman), B. J. S. Hamm, W. While, BL J. Hall, O. Cuff, O. B. Blokiiton, J. E. Brown, J. Y. Bobs, and F. Hobbs. IBS BOOED ELECTIONS, The Chairman said he thought the Board had bees under a misapprehension when they passed the resolution at lost meeting with reference to the appointment of Beturn-ing-Officers for the various districts, as he found by the Local Sections Act that there should only be one Bettiming- Officer appointed, who would make the necessary arrangements for the different districts. He* had consulted with Mr G, L. Lae, and that gentleman was willing to act as principal Betuming-officer. It was resolved that Mr G. L, Lee be requested to conduct the elections on behalf of the Board. DEPUTATIONS. Mr Wilson and others interviewed the Jteard wil l reference to the proposed drain to the north of Papanul He stated that itow year* ago s certain creek had been dammed to ciusc a stream of water to flow through Mr Duncan’s land; this had the effect of raising the level of the creek above the cam, and during heavy mini ills the pre* sent drains and culverts were insufficient to carry off the water which flooded the surround.n? properties. They wished to point out thv. if the drainsge from an increased area was carried thronga the existing drains wit bent widening them, the land of Mr Wileou and others would be seriously damaged. Toeßoird promised to consider the matter, and the deputation withdrew. Mr Fie suer interviewed the Board with regard to the drainage of Bingsland. He coinr.iaintd that the Board had not fulfilled the premise* they bad made to the district. About eighteen months ago- a scheme hod teen prepared for the drainage of Bing fland by Mr Bell, and they ban been told lbs*, the work should receive the earliest Otter lion oi the Bjard. He wished to know whether the Board had made any arrangemeats with regard to Bingsland in allocating the lose that had recently been obteined for drainage purposes. He submitted that, in oomidi ration of the amount of rates contributed by tbs district in which ho resided, the tnbab tacts were justified in expecting some expenditure on their behalf. Mr Bril explained that the scheme Mr Mother referred to was one for o system of lowers, which he (Mr Bel.) hod proposed, and whit-a would cost about £3500,

Mr ;i ,bb* objected to the argument employed by Mr Flesher that his district contributed a large proportion of rales. He hitts -i: had paid £l5O to the Drainage Board and did not consider that he had obtained any direct benefit from it. The fact was that motif recently the Board had not been in a position that would have justified the expenditure. Mr Ross understood that Mr Bell’s scheme had U-rfi kept in abeyance for want of funds. Severs’ members ezpreoed themselves favourable to carrying out a system of drainage for the Bingsland district as toon as posit r Flesher then thanked the Board for the audience they had given him, and withdrew, Mr Kruse waited on the Board with reference to the proposed drainage of Worth Papitui, and submitted a statement of the damage that would be done to bis land by the drain. Ihe Chairman said the matter should rereive consideration, and Mr Kruse withdrew. Mr Kelly was admitted to the Board room, »®d offered a portion of his land for drainage purpose* at St Albans, Mr Brown said he had understood from Mr Kelly’s agent that there would be some difficulty in having the land offered conveyed to the Board. Mr Kslly said he was prepared to offer a quarter oi an acre of a corner block for £35. Mr Brown proposed—“ That Mr Kelly’s offer be accepted, subject to his giving the Board a satislactory title to the land in question." Mr Hall seconded the motion, which was agreed to. ESGissau’a bxfobt. The report of the Engineer was then read, as fo'lows "1. With regard to the matter of advertising for on engine-driver for the permanent pumping engines, I have only rlceivcd one answer to several letters of enquiry which I wrote by direction of the Board, asking for particulars of saury and duties is similar situations. 2. X l: v«« inquired into the cause of Mr Hon-

tan's complaint, and find that ho ha* »o reason to stake say complaint nor ({round for claiming compensation. 3. In regard to Mr • Osborne’s request to be allowed to divert a creek at rand section 60. FendaUown road, I find that by so doing be wouid deprive a newn* hour of a valuable watering place, and lb* only object sought by Mr Osborne i* to straighten the creek through his propertyI would therefore recommend that hi* request bo not complied with. 4. 1 hare given directions to lay 15in pips so •* ”> divert the drain on air Cokers property. South Bell, m directed by the Board at the last meeting. 6. In regard to the o»i« opened at Kaighuiowo, near High street* for the benefit of Mr Spooner's land, the Board was asked to lay a pipe under Herder street to lake the place of it. I find that there t* uo water in the ditch in summer, and only in winter it ts useful to keep the ground dry. At present »l occasion* no inconvenience to anvone, and the objection to it is probably to exclude any prescriptive right of drainage through the sections, Nevertheless. the in* cUnallon is 100 flat, and there is loolilUewaler, to use a jape without fearofiU getting chotea up. I should therefore recommend that the ditch be arinlained until the properly is more stilled and new street* are opened up, when the Board may see it* way to laying down storm-water sower* to t»k« the place of this and other ditches now used to drain tbs* neighbourhood. 6. 1 have examined the course of the drain B.S. 2382, on which il_ is proposed to divert the Hare wood road drain# and lead the water into the Wairarepa nver at Duncan's road. If the drain is made sufficiently wide, and the fall taken up properly, it is probable that no more damage will occur to pro pert v from the diversion than now happen* through the overflow of the present dram during heavy rains. The north branch of the Wairtrapa river would require to hay# it* channel widened and several shoal* of shingle removed to prevent a rise of water on the low meadows adjacent to it. It is quite evident that the creek in question was many yearn ago diverted artificially in the direction of Papanui, and that its original courts was into the Wairarapa river. It does not follow, however, that ibis is a reason for now rediverting it bees again, and to do so would, no doubt, furnish a handle for claims of damages which it might be hard to disprove. Although I am of opinion that no damage would be occasioned by flooding of properties if the drain ware properly diverted, there are some properties at the head of the drain which would be demited of a valuable stream of water. Their paddock* would be laid entirely dry by the diversion, and they, no doubt, would have just cause for complaint and grounds for compensation. The diverting of this creek is only part of the improvements asked for by Mr Kruse and others, to prevent the flooding of their land, on which 1 hare reported several times; and if the Board will sanction the rest of the work, it may be proceeded with at once. The question of deepening part of the Canal reserve drain stands deferred till this meeting. I have accompanied a deputation of the Heathcote Bead Board to the Sandhills reserve, and indicated to them the road which this Board asks to hare diverted, bat it appears that in case this can be done it will take at least six months to effect. I would recommend the Board to purchase a section of 20 acres of land situated in the aandhill reserve. This property may give rise to claims for compensation, not only on account of the nuisance that may be felt Horn the sewage, but alto for deprivation of road frontage if the road diversion is carried oat. It would be much cheaper to purchase this piece of flat land than to level ae much more of the rough sandhills for the purpose ef sewage irritation. The works of the main sewers under the contract of Mr Parsons are now finished, with the exception of some small repairs and the necessary cleaning up of the sewers and tank. The hiving of the iron pipes is well advanced, and that part of the line of pipes from the pumps to the sluices at the outfall drain will be commenced this week, and as soon as this is done the engine and pumps can be tried. Part of the lino of pipes in Armagh street has had to be taken np and re-laid on account of the willow roots getting through the joints and filling up the pipes. Tins has been re-laid, and every precaution taken to prevent a recurrence of the obstruction.”

The question of the appointment of an engine-driver to the pumping station was farther postponed. Mr Bell stated that he had as yet only received one application for the post, and could not at present say what salary the Board should offer. In reference to the damages claimed by Mr Hankins, mentioned in his report, Mr Bell staled that fas did not consider that much damage bad been done, and, further, the City Surveyor had informed him that Mr Hankins had no right to the use of the land in question, and consequently could not claim damages. It was resolved that no action be taken in the matter. The third and fourth clauses of the Engineer’s report were adopted. Considerable discussion ensued with reference to the drainage of Forth Fapanui, and it was ultimately resolved to adopt a previous recommendation of the Engineer to widen the main drain through the district, and also the drain through rural section 1157, executing the necessary repairs to bridges, culverts and fences ; the drain dn the western boundary of section 291 to be sloped at the sides and deepened. The whole work to be executed at a cost of £433. Ihe decision of the Board in the last mentioned matter to be communicated to Messrs Wilson and Kruse. The Board resolved that they could not at present undertake the work of constructing a drain on the Canal Reserve. • The Engineer’s 'recommendation for the Board to purchase 20 acres of the sandhills reserve was adopted, and the Chairman was authorised to see to the necessary details of purchase, DBAIMAOB OF BICOABTOV. Mr Hail brought before the notice of the Board the matter of the Styx drain at Biocarton. He had inspected the locality of the Ku posed drain, and concluded that it could constructed at a cost that would not exceed 5s to 6s per chain. The drain would ran for about 50 chains from rural section 490 to rural section 1000. It was resolved that the work be carried out. COBEBBFOBDBKCjS. A letter was read from the Sydenham Borough Council, requesting the Board to lay a line of pipes along Montreal street to take the water in that street from the south side of the railway to the South Belt drain. Referred to the Engineer to report upon, A communication was read from Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw re Mr Travis’ request to the Board to erect a bridge or culvert over a drain near the Few Brighton road. They advised that if the road crossed by the drain was a public highway at the time the drain woe taken over by the Board, a culvert should be constructed. If, however, the road was a private oue, and made since the drain had been token over from the Road Board, the culvert should be put down by the Avon Road Board or Mr Inns, at his own expense. It was resolved that the Board act in accordance with the legal opinion. A letter was read from Mr T. 8. Lambert, stating that he had communicated with the Avon Road Board *-e connect!.ig the channel in Barker’s street with Gould’s pipe, but that ho ly had declined’ to have anything to do with the matter, as it involved the construction of drainage works through private land. He requested the Board to ro-comider their previous decision.

The Board resolved to adhere to their previous resolution of Oct, 31. ASSISTANT BNOIK3BBS’ BALAUIBB.

Mr Hobbs proposed—“ That there be an addition of £6O per annum made to each of the assistant engineers’ salaries." Ho considered that the work performed by these gentlemen was of tbo most important character, and that they wore at present underpaid. The motion haring been seconded, Mr White would ask for the Chairman's ruling as to whether the question could be put. Was Mr Hobbs in order in moving bit resolution without first rescinding the previous recommendation of a Committee which bad been adopted by the Board ? Ho thought

1 there should have been notice g Wen of the HS&tlOHe The Chairman did not rule Mr Hobbs out of order. Mr While moved, a* an amendment, that the matter be deferred to nett meeting. Mr H&raan Hw While fully the impart**** of the service* rendered by the assistant *®f*' neers, he did not consider they ebould hastily interfere with the previous arrangement M to (JiAtf todftrifltls Mr Hobbs, after eome further discussion, consented to withdraw hit motion, and give notice of moving it at next masting. Mr While raid in that com he would give notice that lb® wages of tho dayUbonrera employed by the Board b® Increased 04 per *** y> mxiuu fob rirn katiko. The lenders for the l#yin« of eowsr pipes, co&Hroctiog !&»«#, Ao-» Ihroagh* out tho Christchurch drain ago district, were opened in the presence of the Board. Tb® respective tenderer* were Messrs Bteuton,8 teuton, Brightling, G. Wadey, Patrick Oarr.J. and A. Anderson, and Stock*. The Chairman suggested that it would be advisable for the Engineer to go through the tenders, with a view of preparing a comparative statement of the offer* made. Mr Boss proposed—" That the tender* be referred to the Engineer and Mr Hannan to repeat upon at an adjourned meeting." The motion having been seconded, Mr White said he would insist upon the tender* being wad to the Board at the meeting, and before they were referred to anyone to report upon. What guarantee had they that the tenders could not be altered ? Be moved as an amendment —" That the tenders be trad to the Board.” Mr Blakiston seconded the amendment pro Ur Barman said, asa member of the Board, he most really protest against a remark that hod fallen from Mr White. The tenders were in the hand* of the Board, mad Mr White could eeo them if be wished, and it would only be needlessly taking up the Board’s time to nave them read, as they were inch M could not be compared in thsir prasentstete. They could not be altered except by some member of the Board or ona of its officers, and he Erotested against the insinuation thrown ont y Mr White. The amendment was then put and lost, and the original resolution was carried. It was resolved—“ That the Board at its rising adjourn to 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday next, for the purpose of considering the tenders received. The next ordinary meeting of the Board to be held on Tuesday, Deo. SO, at 2 p.m." After passing sundry accounts, the Board adjourned. KOTICE OF MOTTOS, Mr Brown gave notice that he would more at the next meeting of the Board—" That the Board carry out the system of drainage recommended for the Bingslaud district by the Engineer in July, 1880, at a cost of £3800."