CHRISTCHURCH DISTRICT DRAINAGE BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 5302, 16 February 1878, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH DISTRICT DRAINAGE BOARD.

Tlic usual fortnightly meeting of the Christchurch District Drainage Board was held at the Board room at half-past 10 o’clock yesterday morning, there being present Messrs 11. J. Tancred (Chairman), T. D. Jones, Ross, Harman, and Duncan.

engineee’s eepobt. This report was read as follows : “At the request of the Inspector of Nuisances I have delayed clearing out the south city drain on the Sumner road until colder weather sets in, as the Medical Officer did not think it advisable to have it done at present. I have also written to the breweries in the neighbourhood, asking them to drain directly into the sewer. “ Mr W. T. Mitchell asks the Board to build a bridge over the outfall drain opposite rural section 34. I can find nothing in the terms of the concession of part of the land reserve from the Provincial Government to the City Council which would oblige the Board to provide private bridges over the drain, and if one were ouilt, there would be no reason to ref fisc a great number to other persons whose sections have frontage to the Canal reserve. If the Board wishes to allow Mr Mitchell to build one at his own cost, it should be under the condition that the Board may remove it when necessary without being liable to claims for compensation, “ In regard to the claim made to the Board for compensation on account of encroachments by’the drain’on rural section 3663. This section is outside the boundary of the district. “ I have examined the ground on which Mr Green claims compensation for grass covered up by earth, taken out of the drain through his land. I estimate that the space occupied by the earth is 52 chains long by 18 i links wide being equal to 0.9 acre. I propose ; during the winter to spread this earth and sow it with grass ; while this is growing, the gre jid occupied by the earth will be about 1.9 acre, and by next summer it will be again fit for 1 grazing. The same remark applies to the claims of Mr A Mahar, of whose pasture land ; 0.25 acre is now covered up, and when spread as above stated 0.5' acre will be occupied, which I. would sow with grass. Or his claim for oats destroyed by earth out of the drain, I estimate that 42 chains long by 10 links wide have been covered by earth equal to 0,42 acre. “As directed by the Board,! have collected and arranged all the necessary information for a water supply, with the requisite sections and levels which will be available for Mr Clark, .so that it will only he necessary to show him the locality, indicated. “I have again advertised for tenders to clear the river Heathcote, as directed by the Board at its last meeting. “ C. Napxee Bell, Engineer.”

The first paragraph' was adopted, and the engineer was authorised; to give effect to the second. The third paragraphias referred to the Road Board who did the work; and with regard to the 4th, it was agreed to pay Mr Green £5 an acre for two acres for the present year, besides spreading the earth as •suggested by the Engineer’s report.! The other clauses were also approved, and the report as a whole was then adopted* ‘ member’s absence. The Chairman, read a letter from Mr ,Hobbs asking that his absence might be excused in consequence'of his sickness. TELEGEAM FEOM ME CLABEE. ~*~Tfae -telegram from Mr Clarke, which has already been'published/was read by the Chairman. , The telegram was dated Saturday,' F6b. 2. ~ ■' ' The Chairman said no further communication had been received from Mr Clarke. ‘

j COEEESfONDENCE. , „ ' ~ 4 A letter was read from Mr Joynt ckiipng £SO os compensation for a drain being cut through the land of .Mr Green, The Engineer said there was a drain there before; it bad only been deepened. It .was a natural watercourse. It was resolved to reply to Mr Joynt to this effect, and the Chairman and the Engineer were requested to see that gentleman on the subject. A letter was read from a number of the residents of the Avon district, asking that a certain drain leading into the River Styx might be deepened. , The letter was referred to the Engineer to report upon. A letter was read from Mr John Williamson, owner of rural section 4635, asking the Board to pay half the expense of his land being fenced. 1 It was stated that the land in question adjoined the sandhill reserve. The Board resolved to pay the half of. the fencing as’soon as they were advised that the adjoining land was vested in them. On the application of Mr B. Taaffe, who complained of. the condition of the banks of a drain running through his land, it was resolved to place a man on to do the work in question.' An application from Mr Leach for compensation through rate collection, was referred to the chairman for settlement.

On the application of the Bank of New Zealand, it was'agreed to forward bank draft for the half-year’s interest on the coupons, on the same terms as agreed upon the last occathe draft, to be at 60 days. A letter was read from Caleb Selfe, claiming £SO as compensation through damage done to his section No. 4095 at the mouth of the outfall drain. The Engineer said - that the drain was quite a new one, but he did not yet know how much of Mr Selfe’s land they had taken. He was instructed to make enquiries on the subject, and to inform the applicant that at present tlie Board had no surrey of the land, but that he would receive a reply at the next meeting. , A similar application was made from Mr Thomas Spelling, owner of E.S. 1818, churning £3O by reason of the Board having cut a drain through his land. Applicant said he saw no reason whatever for the making of the drain in question. ; It was resolved that'the same answer should be given to this applicant, as well as to William Seers, owner of section 4790. A letter was read from Messrs Waites and others, asking the Board to take over a drain on Messrs M'Gregor and Cunningham’s land near the Canal Reserve.

The Engineer was instructed to report on the matter.

A letter was read from the Avon Road Board, complaining, of the weeds, &c., in the river, which caused a flood, and prevented the children from attending the New Brighton School. Mr Bell said the weeds in question were now removed, but the contractor must be kept up to liis work. The Board expressed an opinion that unless the work was done satisfactorily, the contract would be token away from the present holder. Another letter, re the drain near the Canal reserve, was also referred to the Engineer. Application was made by Mr Dunlop, the owner of section No. 1930, to construct a bridge over the drain leading to his laud. The matter was referred to the Engineer, with power to act. Notice was given by the Cliristchurch City Council that the premises of the Board in Hereford street were rated at £IOO. TENSBBS. Two tenders were received for keeping the river Heathcote clean for a distance of six miles, for a period of 12 months. That of John M'Wilfinms, for £BO, was accepted. The other was from Messrs Butler & O’Malley, and was for £2OO. keube’s dhsin. The following report of the Committee appointed was brought up “ The Committee beg to report that, after a careful examination of the ground, they are of opinion that the line south of Mr Kruse’s homestead offers the greatest advantages, both in respect of fall and of avoidance of the circuitous course which the water from the north road is now compelled to lake.” The matter waa left with the Engineer to settle with Mr Kruse whether the line south of that gentleman’s house, or the Board’s course should be adopted. ACCOUNTS, * A number of accounts were passed and ordered to be paid. AUPITOBS’BirOBT. The auditors’ report was read and adopted. VALUATION BOLLS. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Bun-

am, to obtain copies of rolls of the city and suburbs, m t i, striking a rate for the ensuing Uar Tlcir ' Messrs Barman, Hobbs, and dJ appointed a committee to carry % details. 7 out - This was all the business.