DRAINAGE BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7246, 21 May 1884, Page 6

DRAINAGE BOARD.

A special meeting of the Christchurch District Drainage Board was held yesterday afternoon; present—Mr L. Harper (Chairman), and Messrs W. White, junr., W. Yincent, E. Clephane, Flesher, and Hosking. engineee’s eepobt. The Engineer’s report was read and dealt with. It contained nothing of public interest. With reference to one clause, touching the renewal of contracts for the clearing of the drains, Mr White moved—“ That the local Eoad Boards be written to, asking if they will take over the maintenance of the drains in their respective districts, at their own. cost, and if they cannot do it at their own cost, on what terms.” The motion was agreed to. secretary's report. The Secretary’s report was read. It contained an acknowledgment of the receipt of AIOOO from Government for work done by the Board. BATES WRITTEN OFF. The following amounts on account of the ISBI rates were written oil:—Heathcote, J£o9 7s 9d, and Avon, £AH 6s Bd. LICENSE TO CONNECT. Mr Kennett’s name was added to the list of licensees. COEEESrONDENCE. Letters were read as follow : From the Sydenham Borough Council, detailing the streets in Sydenham in 'which repairs are necessary, in consequence of the drains having been laid down ; and stating that, unless the work were done within 14 days from the date of the letter, the Council would do it, and seek to recover the cost from the Board. Mr Yincent and Mr Hosking were of opinion that most of the works stated had been taken into consideration by the arbitrator when making his award. With regard to the Lincoln Eoad, the Engineer said he was sure Mr Brightling would do the work. Mr White understood that the award did not cover the roads other than the Lincoln road. The matter was referred to the Engineer and the Works Committee to ascertain how far the arbitrator’s award extended. From the Heathcote Eoad Board, calling attention to the state of the Avon below Cowlishaw’s corner.

A memorandum from the Engineer stated that the obstructions were, being removed, and that the river was falling. From Messrs Danks and others, asking that the Inspector might he directed to issue instructions in writing showing all jjarticulars necessary for making sewer connections. This they considered would remove a great amount of ill-feeling. The Engineer said that fresh regulations were about to be issued, and they would give most of the details referred to. Mr Flesher did not think the Board should act os’sanitary architects for private individuals. He did not see that the Board should go further than the gas companies wont. The matter was referred to the Engineer. From the Standard Insurance Company, calling attention to the expiration of a guarantee policy. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee. From Mr T. H. Hewitt and others, informing the Board of the evil which will arise if the culvert in Stark’s road be enlarged. I ho Engineer said the work was done. He had reported in favour of further drainage, The Government drainage from the Lunatic Asylum greatly relieved the bead •of the drain in question. Mr Vincent moved—“ That tenders for the work, as recommended by the Engineer, b« called for.” The resolution was seconded and agreed to. From the St Albans Borough Council, forwarding a list of the 1882 rates, which should be remitted, amounting to .£l3 Os 10 Jd. fa This was referred to the Finance Committee. From the Hartley Colliery Company,

asking for a copy of the Engineer's report on tho Native coals lately tested by bim. The request was granted. From Mr T. S. Weston, on behalf of Mr E. McClelland, asking permission to build a bridge over a drain in Tuam street east, so as to give him means of ogress and ingress. The request was granted, subject to tho bridge being approved by tho Engineer. From Mr H. Butler, asking tor a return of his £lO deposit, and for payment of any balance duo to him for cleaving rivers. The applicant’s contract had been broken and re-let, and the Board bad kept back what tho renewal cost. They had refused to return tho deposit, as their doing so would form a bad precedent. On tho motion of Mr Flosher, tho matter was referred to the Works Committee to report upon. From tho Sproydon Road Board, asking permission to construct a wooden culvert over tho Wilderness drain, Selwyn street south. . ' Permission was granted, subject to tho Engineer’s approval. From Mr W. Brooks, requesting that tho Board would bo good enough to let him know in what way the Board _ was dissatisfied with his work as stated in the resolution passed at tho last meeting of the Board. Mr Vincent said that the resolution expressed dissatisfaction at the way in which Mr Brooks hud performed his official duties.

Mr White did not think it desirable to re-open the case. Mr Vincent suggested that Mr Brooks should be supplied with a copy of the resolution. This was agreed to. WOBKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee report was read, as follows: — « With reference to the complaint of Mr C. O’Neill, of Woolston, as to his land being flooded, the Committee would recommend that tho outlet pipe across Dyer’s road be re-laid. This was suggested by the Engineer at last meeting. The Committee are of opinion that the Board is not responsible for the maintenance of rivers at a level sufficiently low to enable mills to be worked profitably. The Committee would recommend that the Engineer should receive instructions to make an inspection of the Linwood streets in company with the Linwood Town Clerk, with a view of ascertaining the extent to which subsidences over the Board’s sewers have taken place. From what the Committee have seen of tho subsidences they have gained the impression that they are of a rather trivial description. With reference to the suggested compromise in Stinson v. Board— ‘ That the defendant give up all claim to the amount due to him under the contract, the Board releasing him from all past and future claims in respect of work done under the contract; each party to pay its own costs of the action pending’—the Committee would recommend the Board (o accept this settlement of the matter without prejudice. The Committee are of opinion that the drain in Kingsley street, which the Sydenham Borough Council intimates is collapsed, is not under the Board’s jurisdiction, and would recommend that the Sydenham Council be apprised of the same. The Committee would also recommend that pipelayers’ licenses be granted to T. Saggers, W. E. Parker and B. E. Best, and that a plumber’s license be granted to B. E. Best.” The report was considered clause by clause, and was approved. ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed for payment as follows : —Rate account, £278 15s 2d; and loan account, £153 8s 4d. ALLOCATION OF THE LOAN. Mr Vincent said a question that had been mooted was connected with the levying of rates on different districts. Some members of the Finance Committee were anxious to re-open the question of the allocation of the loan. It was a matter which had been settled by the Board before some of the present members were elected, and, if the question were to be re-opened, action should be taken at once. It was absolutely necessary, in his opinion, that the rate should be struck without delay. There appeared to be a balance of £1049 17s lid left from the loan. Against this there were some liabilities. After some considerable discussion, Mr White moved to this effect —“ That the Finance Committee take into consideration the way in which the loan lias been allocated, and the adjustment of the districts, so that each district is charged with a fair share of the expenditure.”

Mr Flesher moved as an amendment—- “ That the next meeting of the Board take ■into consideration the question of re-open-ing the allocation of the loan.” Mr White’s resolution was carried in the following form —“ That the Finance Committee take into consideration the question of the allocation of the loan and the alteration of the boundaries of the district, so that those only receiving benefit should he rated.”

The Board then adjourned till 2.30 pan, on Tuesday, May 27.