DRAINAGKB BOARD ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1525, 7 January 1879, Page 3

DRAINAGKB BOARD ELECTIONS.

THIS DAY. cnßißTcrujKcn distbict. The elections for the Christchurch Drainage Board passed off very quietly ; indeed, whatever interest the public might feel in the several candidates they made no public manifestation of it, as beyond the proposer and seconder, very few attended the place of nomination, of course excepting the Returning Officer. The nominations took place punctually at noon with the following result: — NOBTII EAST DISTBICT. In the Orange Hall, Worcester street, Mr P. Hobbs was proposed by Mr H. Thomson, and seconded by Mr E. 13. Bishop. In nroposing Mr Hobbs us a candidate for the north-east district, Mr 11. Thomson said ho had much pleasure in nominating an old member, and one who hud taken a great interest in the question of drainage. Ho thought it very desirable that the late Board should be re-elected, as they had initiated a scheme now being carried out, and it was not only desirable, but only fair, that they should carry it out to its completion. He would like to question Mr Hobbs us to the intention of the Board in carrying out Mr Clark’s scheme in its entirety. Mr E. B. Bishop rose to second the nomination of Mr Hobbs, and said that ho had occasionally differed with him on some points, yet ho recognised the fact that he had taken great interest in the subject, and worked very hsrd, and was therefore a most fit and proper person to bo elected on the Board. Mr Hobbs, in reply, said ho wished to return his sincere thinks to the ratepayers for the honor they had conferred upon him by ro-eleoting him. The late Board had had many difficulties to contend with during tee last theeo years, and had

met with great opposition, as was usually tire case when initiating a scheme of drainage. Everybody thought themselves competent to form an opinion, and, of course, had a perfect right to give expression thereto. He hoped that the scheme of Mr Clark, which had been adopted, would, when completed, give entire satisfaction to the ratepayers. In reply to Mr Thomson’s question, ho said the Board had deviated slightly from Mr Clark’s first report, but with that gentleman’s entire approval, Mr Clark’s time when here was, of course very limited, and, therefore, he had to judge in a great measure by the plans and levels placed before him, in which plans the branch of Jackson’s Creek emptying into the Heathcote showed a well-defined watercourse, and through this Mr Clark proposed to convey all the storm water in the Spreydon. Sydenham and part of tho Heathcote districts. But on careful and mature consideration, Mr Bell, the Board’s engineer, concluded that that this course was not suitable, owing to the bed of tho creek being choked up with willows, being very circuitous, and not sufficiently rapid of fall. Mr Clark had not seen tho floods, and tho vast accumulation of water south of the railway, which Mr Bell had done, and tho latter gentleman know how very important it was to have a rapid and direct course to carry off this water, hence the building of the new sewer in a much more direct line down tho Ferry road. In Mr Clark’s plan he provided for a pipe sewer down the Ferry road, to carry off the drainage from the houses abutting on the road only. Mr Bell now asked the people on the Ferry road to connect with the sewer for this purpose, instead of the pipe drain first proposed by Mr Clark. No sewage of any kind will be convoyed from Christchurch or Sydenham by this sewer, but only the storm water, which will most effectually flush away any sewage from the Ferry road. With this exception, the scheme of Mr Clark would be carried out in its entirety. With this view the Board had established a large credit in Mr Clark’s favour in London, for him to purchase the steam pumpiig machinery and other plant requisite to carry out his scheme. In conclusion he trusted that, on the completion of the scheme, the ratepayers would be well satisfied that the money expended had been well spent. As there was no other candidate nominated, Mr G. A. Buck, who acted as returning officer, declared Mr H. Hobbs duly elected. A rote of thanks to the returning officer terminated the proceedings. NORTH-WEST DISTRICT, The election took place in the City Council Chambers. Mr J. Y. Ross was proposed by Dr. Byrnes, and seconded by Mr (j. Piercy. Being no other candidate, Mr F. G. P. Leech, the returning officer, declared him oloctcdi SOUTH-EAST HISTBICT. At noon there was only one candidate at the place of election, the St, John’s Church schoolroom, in tho person of Mr 0. R. Blakiston, He was proposed by Mr John Anderson, and seconded by Mr R. Sutherland. Mr A. Lean, tho Returning Officer, declared him elected.

SOUTH-WEST DISTRICT, The election for the above district was held in St. Michael’s schoolroom, Mr Edwin Silk acting as Returning Officer. At the hour named, Mr Q-eorge Booth proposed Mr R. J. S. Harman, Ho was seconded by Mr E. Reece, and no other candidate being named, he was declared duly elected. In returning thanks, Mr Harman stated that the works of the Board were now fairly started, and before the coming winter the sewers and storm channels -?f the city promised to bo in a fairly satisfactory position. The Board had only undertaken works of pressing necessity, and would endeavor in carrying them out to follow Mr Clark’s scheme as closely as possible. This terminated the proceedings, HEATHCOTE DEMNAGE DISTRICT. A meeting of the ratepayers of this district was held at noon. There was a small attendance. Mr Andrew Duncan was proposed a mem her of the Drainage Board by Mr H. Sawtell, seconded by Mr S. Manning. There being no other candidate proposed, The Returning Officer (Mr W. T. C. Mills), declared Mr Duncan to bo duly elected. Mr Duncan having briefly returned thanks, tho proceedings terminated. AVON DRAINAGE DISTRICT. A meeting of the ratepayers of this district was held in tho Board room, at noon, for the same purpose. The only candidate was Mr John Evans Brown, M.H.R., who was proposed by Mr J. L. Wilson, and seconded by Mr J. Hadfield. There being no other candidate, Mr Brown was declared to be duly elected. A vote of thanks to Mr F. Boatson, the Returning Officer, concluded the proceedings. SPRETDON DRAINAGE DISTRICT. A meeting of the ratepayers of this district was held at noon, when Mr J. S. Buxton proposed, and Mr A. Williamson seconded, the nomination of Mr J. S. M. Jacobson as a member of the Drainage Board. MrJ. T. Bell proposed Mr H. J. Tancred, the present member, seconded by Mr J. S. Buxton. A poll was demanded on behalf of Mr Jacobsen. It will take place on the 16th inst., between the hours of nine and five o’clock. RICCAETON DRAINAGE DISTRICT. A meeting of the electors of the Riccarton Drainage District was held at noon, for the purpose of nominating a member of the Drainage Board to represent the district for the ensuing three years. Mr N. Ellis, Returning Officer, presided, and having stated the object of the meeting, called on the ratepayers to nominate candidates for election. Mr H, J, Hall was proposed by Mr Martin, and seconded by Mr Taylor. No other candidate being proposed, The Returning Officer declared MrH. J. Hall duly re-elected a member of the Drainage Board for tho Riccarton district. Mr Hall thanked the electors for the honor conferred on him, and the proceedings terminated.