DRAINAGE BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4245, 29 November 1881, Page 4

DRAINAGE BOARD.

»fte ordinary fortnightly meeting of the ■fcrutchurch District Drainage Board was Kgd at 2 p.m. yesterday ; present— Messrs BIZ. Tanorod (Chairman), fi. J. B. Harman, W.ftuff, W. White, 0. B. Blakiston, F. Hohbs «nu J. E. Brown. enginbhr's bbpobt. Ihe following report from the Engineer Has read : — " (1) The drain which Mr Bhodes askß the Board to deepen is on the Canal Reserve, and is in continuation of a part deepened by the Board about 18 months ago ; the extent now asked foris 43 ohains long, and would cost IBs to 20s per chain. The land and the roads for Borne distance round would derive benefit from the deeper drainage thus afforded. Ihe Boad Board and several farmers of the neighbourhood have joined in the r to have this drain deepened. (2) •'- would request the instructions of the Bou : • t to open •ut and keep in order a drain in Eingslanc?, eastward of Perth street, which is much wanted to keep the sections dry. This, j idtbougu not made over to the Board by tho Boad Board or other authority, is a drain reserve made by the original proprietors, and, I believe, was formerly attended to by the Boad Board. It is very necessary for tho «omfort and health of several properties that peraons should not be allowed to obstruct this drain, as is done at present. (3) The contract for clearing drains in the Avon district will terminate next month. It is very necessary that all contracts of this kind should terminate in winter; and, wherever poßßible, I have so arranged them. In tho caao of the Avon district, the 1 contractor ie willing to extend his contract until winter, sod I would recommend that tbiß be done ; otherwise, it must be re-let for five months, which is not so convenient as it would be to continue the present contract. (4) In annDging the levels for all sewers in the Sydonham district, I have placed the sower in Lincoln road so that it is available to drain the.Asylum at dunnyside ; in consequence of this, the sewer will be very deep near Aldington, and the drainage of part of vddingb,n will flow towards it. It was r< '^ssary to decide this poinb first ; and I wcu.il reeommand this arrangement, rather than that of placing two pip-a in jGincpla road, one ut a •OLBiderable depth to serve the Asylum, and ono much shallower to serve the neighbouring parts of Adtiington. (S) In a short time it will be nocostury for the Board to work the engines at tbc pumping Btition ; and I would recommend f,hufc an engine-driver, experienced in that olass of engines, should be employed, as the efficient working of the engines and pumps ib a matter of great importance. (6) A part of fkt oM sswor ia the South Belt, having broken by sinking in the quicksand, I havo had it tcp.--.irdd in the usual manner by placing concrete underneath tho broken part and rebuilding the arch with brickwork. "0. Napibb Bum,." The question ef deepening the drain on the Canal Reserve, alluded to in clause 1, was deferred to next meeting. On clause 2 being consider sd, Mr White moved a resolution to the effect that the Enginoer be empowered to open the drain in Bingeland, mentioned in the clause. This was agreed to. Clause 3 wua adopted/ A discussion arose on clause 4, in the course of which Mr Caff asked if the Government would pay the difference between the cost of tho proposed plan and that of Mr Clarke's sohemo. The Engineer replied that he supposed the Government would contribute something towards the coat. Mr Hurmtin thought the suggestion of the Engineer should be adopted. Mr White was afraid that there were certain difficulties in the way o£ flushing tho pipes. The Engineer explained his plan, in order to show that the flushing was practicable. Mr Cuff suggested that the Engineer should bo asked to prepare an estimato of the cost. He approved of the Engineer's proposals, but did not wish the Board to commit themselves to expenditure for the benefit of Government property unless the Government were prepared to bear a portion of the cost. Mr Harman thought it was obviously better for the Board themselves to adopt the Engineer's proposal. After further conversation, it was resolved — •" That the proposal, be adopted, and that the Engineer be requested to preparo un estimate of the difference in cost between this proposal and Mr Clarke's scheme, with a view to applying to the Government for a contribution on behalf of the Lunatic Asylum, fcha drainugf) from which may be taken by the deeper sewiM 1 . 1 ' With ret jvd to clause 5, Mr 801 l stated that ho could ni/t. teil to a month or so when the contract w ulcl bo finished, but when he had tho pumping would hava to bo begun at once. It was suggested that a man should bo taken on as tmgino driver for a month on trial. Mr Whito moved a resolution to the effect that a driver be advertised for. Mr Bell stated that it was absolutely necessary that the persons appointed Bhould possess somo knowiedgo of the kind of engine used. Mr Cuff asked what salary tihe Board would bo prepared to pay. Mr Bell asked if the Board \> -old consent to defer the matter, in order ! : at he might obtain information on the Hibjeot from Sydney, Auckland, and elsewhere. The question was accordingly deforred till noxt meeting. Claußo 6 was approved. KB MASS'S CLAIM. In answer to Mr J. E. Brown, the Chairman stated that no report had been received from the Committee appointed to inquire into the olaim of Mr Marr. Mr Cuff said that he had attended once or twice but had found no one else present, so ho bad not attended since. Mr Harman moved — "That Mr Brown's name bo substituted for that of Mr Cuff, on the Committeo." Mr Brown would rather not- serve on the Committee. He moved— "That Mr Hobbs should be roquested to act with Mr White instead of Mr Cuff." This was carried. SEAL. The seal of the Board was ordered to be affixed to a grant of easement— Neeve to the Board. APPOINTMENT OF BBTUBNIN^ OFFIOEB3. It was resolved, on the >.. .fcion of Mr White, seconded by Mr Harma , to appoint the clerks to the Road Bo&r.u and to tho Sydenham Borough Council, us HeturningOffioers in thoir respective districts, and to request the Chairman to confer with Mr G. L. Lee as to the appointment of Returning--0 ulcers for Ohristohuroh, at the next election of members of the Board. Tho foes to be too guineas for uncontested elections, and throe guineas for contested elections. COBBBSPONDENOE. The following was read :— From the Town Clerk, Sydenham, requesting that the Board would take Bteps to havo tho rofuso from the drains in the Borough carted awuy insteid of leavii^ it lying for several days, ns at present. Mr Whito moved— "That li.<j Engineer bo instructed to obtain a cart for the purpose of removing tho refuse from the sumpß." Mr Cuff suggested thut it would bo possible to hire a horso and cart for the purpoßO. The Euginoor was instructed to have the rofuso romovor), and obtain a cart, either by purchase or hire. From tho Heathcoto Boad Board, calling attention to tho bad condition in which Buckley's road had been loft by tho contractor for laying tho drain pipes ; also to some dangerous holes on the '"'■mal Reserve ; also to tho state in which tho I ••rry road had boon left where tho sewer hud -oen repaired, and asking that broken metal might bo used instead of shinglo for repairing tho Ferry road. Tho mattors re Buokloy 's road, &c, wero referred to tho Engineer. From tho Hoathcoto Road Board, stating that the members of the Road Board propoaod to inspect tho road in tho Sandhills about to be diverted, on Tueei! ty, November 29, at 10 30 ii.ro., and nuking if some of tho rcombora of tho Dr-.i'iujjo Board and tho Enginoer could meet thorn thero. Tho mutter w<n loft, to tho Engineer. From Meaan Duncan, Cotterill, and Martin, claiming £20 damages for injury done to tho property of Mr. C. Hanson, through tho drainugo workß at tho Sandhills, and threatening legal proceeding if tho money were not pairl. Beforred to tho Engineer to oport, a reply to bo sent to Moaara Duncan & Co., that tho mattor was being inquired into. From Mr A. Oiborne asking permission to

turn a small wateroourse in bis property at I Fendaltown. ] Referred to the Engineer. From Mr B. 0. J. Stevens and othor residents of Avonside, and also the officers of the Canterbury and Union Rowing Clubs, calling attention to the neglected state of the Avon, especially between the Eaßt Belt and Wright's corner, where it was gradually being choked up with weeds. .Referred to the Engineer. From Messrs A. Coker and D. Baxter, calling attention to a nuisance arising from an open drain running through their property from the Hazeldoan road to the South Belt, and asking that the drain be either closed or diverted to an accommodation road in the vicinity. It was resolved to divert the drain as requested. ACCOUNTS. The accounts passed for payment were — On the loan account, £1597 8s 8d ; on the rate account, £77 15s Id. SYDBKHAM. Mr Cuff aßked if any steps had been taken by the Board to get any other collectors for Sydenham, as he saw by the papers the Sydenham Borough Council were taking etep3 to oppose the rates. The Chairman replied that the Borough Council were collecting the rates. DBAIHS IN THE AVON DISTBIOT. Mr Brown moved the following motion, of which he had given notice at the previous meeting:— "That the Engineer's recommendations respecting tho deepening of drain through R. 3. 1333, &0., and diversion of water running from Biccarton Road district into the [Avon Read district bn carried out, and that any resolutions conflicting with this resolution be rescinded." Ho had no doubt but that diverting the water from the Biccarton district into the Avon district was a mistake. The result was that large areas of land in the latter district were overflowed and rendered useless. The Engineer had warned the Board against this course, lie (Mr Brown) had learned that Mr Kruae had obtained a legal opinion to the effect that he had a good claim against the Board for compensation for the damage done to his land. Mr Bell pointed out that the Board had' not diverted any water. His proposal was to divert certain water from the channels it was at present running in. Mr Brown eaid that perhaps he was wrong in using the expression "diverted," but at all events their works had had the effect of largely increasing tho volume of water coming from the Biccarton into tho Avon district. This water should be diverted into the Wairarapa creek. Mr White seconded the motion pro forma. The report of the Engineer bearing on the matter was read. Mr Harman thought the Board should act very cautiously, lest the damage now sustained by a few persons should be transferred to the shoulders of many others. He was of opinion that a careful examination of the ground should be made, in order to ascertainwhether anybody would be injured by carry--1 ing out tho proposed alterations. The Engineer explained; the nature of the > land through which the drains passed. In i order to prevent the water doing injury to properties on the lower part of its course, it would be necessary to deepen the cVeek. Mr Harman would like the matter to be deferred for information as to whether the diversion would do any damage. After a desultory conversation, Mr Cuff i moved — " That the matter be deferred, to obr tain the opinion of the Engineer as to whether tho work will injure properties on the Wairai rapa creek." ; Mr Brown would not object to his motion being deferred, but he would like the probable i extent of the damage which might be done to properties on the creek, to be ascertained. The motion for referring the matter to the Engineer, as altered according to Mr Brown's suggestion, was carried. The Board then adjourned.