DRAINAGE BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4226, 7 November 1881, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD.

A Bpecial meeting of the Drainage Board was held this afternoon for the purpose of considering tho report of the Committee allocating tbe expenditure on tho laying of pipes. The following mombers were present : — Mr H. J. Tancred (chairman), Messrs R. J. 8. Harman, W. White, junr., 0. Cuff, 0. R. Blakiston, and J. V. Ross. The Ohairman read an apology from Mr Hobbs, who was confined to his bed. Mr R. J. S. Harman moved that the report of the Committee be adopted. The Board had been appointed to carry out a particular scheme, and the pumping station was rapidly approaching completion. Ho saw no reason for delaying the work. Mr Cuff seconded tbe motion. The motion wus put into tho following form:— "That tho sum of £20,0 CD bo allocated for laying pipe sewers." Mr White asked for the Chairman's ruling of Olauso 2 of the Act of 1877. In the estimates no appropriation had been made for pipe sowers, and he submitted that now it was too late to do bo. They were bound to give tbe public notice of the estimates. Mr Hobbs, in his resolution, bad proposed to allocate £10,000 for pipes in Christchurch, £10,000 for Sydenham, and £6555 for Heathcote ; but tbat resolution had been negatived by the Board, and no other had been substituted. Mr Harman was not proposing to levy a rate. Tho expenditure would fall on next yoar. Mr Whito replied tbat tbe Board was committing itself to an expenditure. Had the publio known that the sum now proposed was going to be voted, there would have been strenuous opposition. He folt Buro that the district could not stand tbe necessary rate. Tho whole of the loan would be expended, and a shilling rate would bave to be levied over tho whole district. It was unfair that a rural district should thus be burdened. The Ohairman said ho could not rule upon the act ; he could only rulo upon Standing Orders. Mr Ross pointed out that wben Mr Hobba' resolution was negatived it was with the understanding that something elso was to be proposed. Mr Whito would ask for a ruling upon the point, whether Mr Hobbs' resolution having been thrown out, one of a similar nature could bo now proposed. Tho resolution negativing Mr Hobbs' resolution would havo to bo rescinded first. The Chairman thought Mr White was right. Mr Barman thought that Sydenham and Heathcote could not bo affected, and therefore Mr White's objection was untenable. Mr White was quite aware that as soon as the resolution of Mr Harman was carried the monoy would be allocated in tho same proportion aa recommended by tho Enginoer. He knew that tho ratepayers wero diesatisfiod, and before anything was dono it should be seen that no additional burden would be laid upon the rural district. He would suggest that the opinion of the Board's Bolieitor be taken. Mr Cuff thought that the resolution might be agreed to. If Sydonham and Heathcoto objected to the expenditure of their sharo in their districts, the whole sum could bo laid out in the city. Mr Harman explained that a majority of tho Committoe wero in favour of allocating a certain sum, and tho distribution ti districts should be left to the Board. Tho Ohairman thought tho previous resolution should be rescinded bofore any allocation could take placo. Mr Harman could not agree with Mr White that thero was any gre»t dissatisfaction with tho Board. All that had beon objected to was the proposed new Bill, which had not passed. The Chairman thought the report should be referred back to tho Committee, with a request to name tho lines of pipes. Mr Cuff said it would be only a waßto of timo going back to the Committee, as Mr Whito would not agree to anything. Mr Whito would not ref uso to adopt tlio views of tho Board, but he would &lvvnys maintain his own. Mr Harman moved, — "That tho report of | the Committeo be referred back to thera for '

compliance more closely with the terms of reference." Mr Blakiston seconded the motion. Mr Robb gave notice ofthe following resolution for next meeting : — " That the motion in the minutes of May 23, 1881, referring to the pipe-laying in the districts of Sydenham, Heathcote, Bnd Spreydon, to tho tffect that no money be expended on those distriots, bo rescinded." Mr White moved — " That tho opinion of the Board's solicitor be obtained upon clause 2 of the Act of 1877, or any other clause of that Act or of Amendment Acts, as to whether the Board have power to expend the Bum of £20,0C0 on pipe-laying ; also, whether such expenditure may be incurred if it creates a charge exceeding a shilling in the £ on the parts affected though not on tbe whole district." Mr Harman suggested the addition of the words, " on the supposition that such expenditure is not to he charged on tho rates of the present year." Mr White understood that it was intended to call for tenders immediately. Several members reminded Mr White that the Board could determine not to spend the money till noxt year. , Mr White asked for tbo addition of the words, " but the contracts will he let, though no payment, except for incidentals, will be made this year." If the tenders were ac- | eepted, the whole liability would be on thiß year. I The Chairman read over the summary of ' the resolution and additions as the substance of what he would submit to the solicitor. lhe Board decided to close the office at 12, noon, on the race days, and not to open tho office during lho whole of the Show day.