PAPANUI DRAINAGE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9322, 24 January 1896, Page 5

PAPANUI DRAINAGE.

Last evening a meeting of residents of Papanui was held to consider the drainage of the side channels of the Papanui aud Harewood roads. Mr Dunlop, Chairman of the Avon Road Board, presided.

Tho Chairman said that tho Avon and Riccarton Road Boards had been requested to call a meeting to consider the question of drainage, but the Avon R*>ad Board had decided that it was a question for the Drainago Board. lb was decided afterwards, however, to call a meeting, the date to be fixed to suit the Chairman of the Riccarton Road Board, Before the proposed meeting could be called an unsigned advertisement had called the present meeting, and he would be glad to hear what the promoters had to say.

Mr Michael Campbell said that the meeting had been called since the two Road Boards could not agree. He described the negotiations between a number of tho ratepayers and tho Avon and Riccarton Road Boards. He read the correspondence which had passed, and the requisition sent to those Boards, asking them to call a meeting to consider a way of bringing vvaterraces down the Harewood road in order to flußh the open drains, which were in an unhealthy condition. Ho read a letter from the Selwyn County Council, stating that their Inspector of Waterraces reported that the present waterrace from the Waimakariri would have to be enlarged before it could be further nsed; also, that it would be better to bring it down the Harewood road than the Sawyers' Arms road.

Mr Keusb pointed out that if the race were brought into Papanui, some way would have to be devised for getting rid of the water, aa the present drains were taxed to the utmost. He thought it was a matter for the Drainage Board. Mr C. F. Matson thought the question was one affecting the public healtn. ' The matter had been considered before at a large meeting, and the member for the district had undertaken to endeavour to have the Drainage Board Act altered. Since then they had heard nothing more of the matter. The speaker pointed out that the small amount of water which would bo brought down could be discharged iuto the creek which crossed the Papanui road at Bligh's road.

Mr Langdown thought that if races were brought down, concrete channels wonld be necessary, which could be flushed by the present artesian wells, and the cost of these channels should be borne by tboie interested.

Mr H. M. Lund eaid that he would never have'come to reside in the district had he known the insanitary condition of the Papanui road. Mr C, J. Matson proposed—" That steps be taken to "tup the water races either at the Harewoott or the Sawyers' Arms roads'tb'- bring sufficient water down to flush the channels in tho township of Papanui." He estimated the cost at £50.

■Mr J. Dunnage seconded tbe motion. Mr F. Wood house said that the district was waterlogged, so co speak. Mr C. Bukgkss thought the conveners of the meeting should have formulated a scheme wich the estimated cost. As a member of the Drainage Board he pointed out that funds were not available. He objected to any more water being brought into the district. The channels could be flushed by artesian wells, and concrete channels would have to be put down. He deprecated the practice of draining refuse water iuto the side channels.

Mr M. S, Campbell said no harm would be done by taking the water down the Papanui road. It was not feasible to flush the channels with artesian wells, as the water would not rise to the surface in Papanui. He contended that it was a matter for the Road Boards to carry ont. Mr W. J. Ca_ssw___ moved _s an amendment— '■ That in the opinion of the meeting the condition of the channels in Papanui is a standing menace to the health of the residents, and especially to the children attending school, and that the Avon and Riccarton Road Boards be requested to devise some scheme for improving the present state of things, and to submit the same to a further meeting." Mr G. Dunnage seconded the amendment. Mr Matson withdrew his motion, and the amendment was carried unanimously.

Mr Michael Campbell proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Davis, the water-race inspector of tbe Selwyn County Council. The motion was carried unanimously. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.