DRAINAGE BOARD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1357, 19 June 1918, Page 2

DRAINAGE BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Christchurch Drainage Hoard met last evening, there being present—Messrs W. Mill (chairman), 11. J. OUey, 11. Holland, 11. Langford, F. Burgoyne, S. C. Bingham, C. Hill, W. J. Walter, and )•'. Storey. The Heathcote County Council wrote explaining that its previous letter had been only an inquiry as to whether the Cashmere district could lie included in the board's sewerage scheme; not a request that it should be included. When the council received the information it would consider whether it should proceed in the matter. It asked lor information on the matter of rating. It was mentioned that this was a hard thing to supply, but if new sewers were required, the district should be rated to meet interest, sinking fund and working expenses on the outlay. It was resolved to grant a 2} per cent, bonus to all contractors for drain cleaning who had completed their work satisfactorily. The engineer reported that the committee had inspected the creeks adjacent to the Shirley School, and had found them in good order and condition. No rates for last year having been received from the New Brighton Borough Council, it was decided to make formal applicution for accounts, as provided by law. The special committee appointed to report, recommended that the City Council lie asked to maintain the drain on North Parade, south of Shirley Road, and the Walmairi County Council to maintain the drains in connection therewith on Shirley and Marshland Roads. The recommendation was adopted. A deputat.on of pipe-layers waited on the board to protest against plumbers being allowed to undertake the work of c' aring drain obstructions. Speakers said that they had beard that the plumbers were trying to "get in" on this work. They

bad to take out a license, and it did not seem right that a man with only a plumber's license should be allowed to undertake their work. They were not allowed to do plumbers' work. The number of new connections now was small, and stoppage clearing was one of the pipelayers' chief means of livelihood. Mr H. J. OUey pointed out that no one would think of sending f'.-r a plumber if he had a big block. But there were many small stoppages which a plumber could clear, and plumbers were usually far more handy than the pipe layers, and far more quickly to hand. Correspondence on this subject from several plumbers was also before the board. Their opinions were divided. Some applied for have to undertake this work where necessary. This leave was granted, so that a plumber may now clear a blockage without, in the eyes of the board, transgressing the pipelayers' rights.