CHRISTCHURCH DISTRICT DRAINAGE BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4717, 28 March 1876, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH DISTRICT DRAINAGE BOARD.

The Board met at half-past ton o’clock yesterday morning. Present—His Worship the Mayor (presiding), Messrs Hall, Duncan, Jones, Harman, Wright, Ross, and Tanored. chairman's statement. Tho Chairman stated that the deputation appointed at last meeting had waited on the Government with a view to seeing whether they would join tho Drainage Board in the cost of constructing the drain down the Ferry i-oad. Some members of tho Government seemed disinclined to accede to the request, hut they promised that they would consider tho matter, and forward a reply as soon as they should arrive at a decision in tho matter. He might say that he had also seen tho Superintendent on the subject of the balance of tho grant of £ISOO for a drainage scheme. His Honor the Superintendent had telegraphed to Wellington about it, but ho had not yet received the amount. It was his {the Chairman’s) intention to leave for Wellington on Wednesday next, and he would «?e about the matter. If the Board desired it, he would also bring under the notice of the Government the necessity of having eome amendments made in the Act during aext Session of the General Assembly, more especially with regard to the sinking fund and the form of debentures. The Board would also have to consider that morning what amount of remuneration should be paid to the Town. Clerk for services rendered from Jan. 4 up to the present time. Mr Duncan moved—“ That the Chairman, Messrs Tancred and Harman, be appointed as a Sub-Committee to go through the Act, and make suggestions for the amendment thereof as may be deemed advisable.” Mr Jones seconded the motion, which was agreed to. On the motion of Mr Duncan, seconded by Mr Wright, the sum of £SO was voted to the Town Clerk for services rendered to the Hoard. engineer's report. The Engineer reported as follows : X hive tbe honour to report that I have prepared sections of the proposed Ferry road drain and plans ■ior the temporary bridges, and propose to let the work as far as 'Wilson’s road by contract at once. I consider the work will take about two months to complete. Under tho consideration that this work is only of a temporary nature, I have laid, it out in the ■cheapest possible manner consistent with efficiency, and with the object of inconveniencing as little as possible the people living along tbe road. Levels are being taken over the district, and I ■hope to hasten their completion by employing more .force. Charles N. Belt, Engineer. Mr Wright said that before proceeding to the adoption of the Engineer’s report, he would point out to the Board whether it would not be advisable to make the Ferry •road drain a permanent work. This was merely a storm-water drain, and would not in any way interfere with general scheme of drainage for the city and suburbs. He thought it would be better to construct a permanent brick sewer to carry off the storm-water from that portion of the district. With this view, he begged to move—“ That the Engineer take steps to have that portion of the Ferry road drain between Wilson’s road and Christchurch quay, built as a permanent sewer.” Mr Jones said he had great pleasure in seconding the motion, as he felt convinced that it would bo more advisable to construct a permanent brick sower. The Engineer stated that he understood • that temporary rel’ef was required, and for this reason ho proposed that a drain should bo opened up of a temporary character. He would point out that it would take eight or mine months—perhaps a year—to construct a brick sewer of tho required dimensions, and consequently no relief could bo given this winter if the plan proposed by Mr Wright were adopted. He would also point out that the levels had not been taken, nor had the Consulting Engineer been consulted in the matter of a permanent work. Under these circumstances, he was not prepared just now to say whether a permanent work, if executed, would be found to answer. But in order to afford relief with as little possible delay, he proposed to cut a drain of sufficient depth _ to ■carry away the storm water of the District. Of course, some money must necessarily be wasted in providing temporary relief, but it was premature to decide on the construction of a permanent work. Mr Harman said that in face of the Engineer’s report, he must vote against the motion proposed by Mr Wright. Mr Hall also opposed the motion. Mr Duncan said he thought that the purport of Mr Wright’s motion had been rather misunderstood. It seemed to him that Mr Wright was in favour of an open drain being ■made, and a permanent sewer constructed as soon as possible. Mr Wright’s desire was that an open drain down the Perry road should not exist any longer than necessary. Mr Ross opposed the motion, on the ground that the construction of a permanent drain had not been referred to the Consulting Engineer. The Chairman said he thought it would be well if Mr Carruthers and Mr Bell furnished the Board with their ideas as to the material oDwhich a permanent sewer should be constructed —whether of brick or concrete. As soon as this matter was decided, the Board could enter into arrangements for the required material. Mr Wright said that if it were distinctly understood by the Board that an open drain would not bo allowed to exist any longer than was absolutely necessary, he would not press his motion. When tho excavations were made for the open storm-water channel,it might be necessary to put in the invert for the permanent work, Mr Harman reminded tho Board that the Engineers had not yet recommended that a ■permanent sewer should be carried along the line of the proposed open drain. After some further discussion, Mr Jones recommended tho withdrawal of the resolution. Mr Wright consented to do so, and the resolution was withdrawn accordingly. On the motion of Mr Jones, seconded by Mr Ross, tho report of the Engineer was •approved.

COEEESrONDBNCK. A letter was read from the spent of the Hon John Hull (owner of sections oa the Ferry road), stating the terms upon which permission would be granted to the Board to carry the open drain along the proposed route.

Iho loiter was considered satisfactory. A letter waa read from Mr Palmer, thanking the Board for appointing him as Clerk and Treasurer.

TUB OUTT COUNCIL. It was resolved—“ That this Board instruct the Chairman to negotiate a sale of a draft on London for £25,000, and out of the proceeds pay the £IB,OOO duo to the City Council under the Drainage Act,” BICOABTON. Mr Hall drew attention to the fact that the streams in the Riccarton district had overflowed through the growth of watercress. Ho begged therefore to give notice of the following motion :—“ That all watercourses in the Drainage District be kept clean and opened by the Drainage Board.” STRIKING A BATB. The question of striking a rate was postponed until next meeting. BURET ROAD DRAIN. On the motion of Mr Jones, it was resolved that the Engineer be authorised to call for tenders for the construction of an open stormwater drain along that portion of the route between Wilson’s road and the South Town belt. Tho Board then adjourned for a fortnight.