SEWAGE AT HOBSON BAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 163, 11 July 1900, Page 3

SEWAGE AT HOBSON BAY.

LOCAL, BODIES CONFERENCE.

' A conference of delegates from locnl bcdles Interested in the question of the sowage finding its way into Hobson Bay was held yesterday afternoon at the Municipal buildings, when there were present the following delegates: Messrs D. Goldie and Cr. Jamieaon, J. Russell, Carr, J. M. Lennox, R. Udy, Fltt, Tunks, Hugh Campbell (Mayor of Parnell), J. McColt (Mayor of Newmarket), Messrs Smerdon, S. Hesketh, and also Mr B. Gllmer, who acted as secretary, and Mr P. Ward, engineer' to the Borough of Parnell. Mr Hugh Campbell was voted to the chair, on the motion of Mr D. Goldie. The Chairman said Mr Ward had submitted a scheme of drainage and also a rough estimate of total cost, as well as particulars of the districts affected. Mr Gilmer read Mr Ward's report, which stated that the affected district was the creek commencing near the Newmarket station and emptying Into Hobson's Bay, near the- foot of Brighton Road and Ayr-street. The principal sufferers from the nuisance were residents of Remuera, Parnell and Newmarket, ana the principal contributors City of Auckland, Newmarket, Epsom and Mt. Eden, the creek was the natural watercourse draining a large area, made up as follows: Auckland City, about 50 acres, with 900 population; Newmarket Borough, lot) acres, 1900 population; Parnell Borough, 50 acres, with 200 population; Mt. Eden district, 200 acres, with 50 population, exclusive of the gaol; .Epsom, 250 acres, 350 population; One True Hill, GO acres, 250 population; Remuera, 2f>o acres, with saO population. Total acreage, 900; total population affected, 4000. The rough estimate of cost was £10,000. The report further pointed out thnt the creek started in a spring near the South Road, but a large portion of the gully had been tilled in for the Newmarket workshops. The drain provided for creek was not fit for sewage. A main sewer joined the creek from the vicinity of Kyber Pass and from there down the creek was foul, there being other additions of sewage from vurlous other gullies. The creek discharged Into Hobson's Bay. where the. tide receded 5000 ft at low water, and a nuisance arose from the sewage. Mr Ward proposed to construct a sewer from Remuera and Epsom Roads to the junction with that from Kyber Pass, and thence by the gully to Hobson Bay. To discharge the sewage at high water mark would he considered be a mistake. If the sewage was carried out to Point Resolution It should be in iron pipes on trestles. To form the sewer to Hobson Bay, the rough estimate of cost was £4800, and to carry it to high water mark in iron pipes on trestles would cost another £4500, making a total cost of £9300. As an alternative scheme, Mr Ward suggested septic tanks and filters at Hobson Bay, at a cost of say £1000, which would then reduce the total cost of tho work to about £4200.

Mr Ward explained that his estimates were only rough ones, as a guide for the conference.

The Chairman moved "That the report be received." He said great difficulty would be experienced In allocating proportion of cost to the various districts. They could scarcely go solely on a population basis. Still something must be done ,to bring the matter to a successful conclusion. . Mr Goldie said if any scheme, was adopted it should bo the septic tank one, for no duubt the Harbour Board would shortly begin to object to filthy matter being deposited in the harbour. He strongly favoured adopting the septic tnnk system in preference to spending £4500 for a temporary system of iron pipes on trestles1. Mr Ward explained the anti-septic tank system for the benefit of the members of the conference.

Mr S. Hesketh said no sewage nt present went from Epsom Into that creek. ! Mr Campbell said there wus no doubt some sewage came from Epsom Koiid. ' , Mr Hesketh. said his district had no money to go In for a drainage scheme. He admitted that the gully wus a nuisance, but objected to a district being charged that did not contribute any sewage. The Chairman said Kpsora could not drain anywhere but into Hobson Bay. He sup: posed Epsom would not always be without a drainage system. If the convenience was pnnldea it should be paid for. Roughly speaking, if the anti-septic sclieme was adopted Epsom'-H share would be i 204 of the capital sum. Mr Udy said as far as the Mount Eden district was concerned he was 'informed ■that to'connect with the proposed sewer the only fall they could get was one foot lv 1200, and that for only 20 'houses. Mr Ward said a fall of 1 in 1200 was not enough. • The report was then received. Mr Campbell moved, '"TJiat in the opinion of this conference a Sewerage Board for the area be constituted, to be created by special Act of Parliament, with power to raise the necessary money to carry out the work, also that the mayors of the boroughs and chairmen of road districts within the said sewage area be a committee for that purpose." Mr Campbell said at present there was no legislation empowering levyIng, contributions from surrounding bodies for sewer purposes. Personally lie would like to see the whole area referred to incorporated into a borough, and then special legislation would not be required; but lie feared that could not be easily done. The best way would .therefore be to create a new local body, with power to carry out the sewer work. The amount to be contributed by each district couJd then be assessed and collected.

Mr Car.r suggested the board might also make connections with the sewer alongma'in roads.

Mr J. Hussell seconded the resolution. He suitl they required legal power to compel all bodied Interested to contribute. Mr McColl said the Hallway Department should be Included, us It contributed largely to the sewage. He was thoroughly In favour of 'the motion. He thought, however, the dra'ln should provide for both storm water and sewage. Mr Lennox said the work wanted doing, ns the creek was a menace to the health of the community. Mr D. Goldie said the proposal was a right one so long as It was merely restricted to making a main drain. Mr Fitt said for years past that gully had been a great danger to health. Sewage was at present allowed to lay on private land. The motion wns then adopted. , The Chairman said it would be necessary to draft a bill at once. He was prepared to give assistance, and was sure Messrs Russell, Hesketh, and Tunks would do likewise. He therefore moved 'that the mayors of boroughs and chairmen of road districts be a sub-committee for that purpose, tlie name of Mr Tunks to bo- added to such committee.

This wns seconded by Mr tiennox and agreed to. Before the conference adjourned a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Ward for the trouble he had undertaken to place the whole mdtter before the delegates In a concise and Intelligible form.