POLLUTION OF THE HARBOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 89, 15 April 1903, Page 5

POLLUTION OF THE HARBOUR.

FORBIDDEN BY THE HARBOUR BOARD.

A FAR REACHING REFORM.

The Works and Tariff Committee reported at a meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday that it had adopted the following resolutions with regard to the drainage of offensive sewage into the. harbour:—(l) "'That the City Council be. informed that no offensive sewage will be allowed to be drained through pipes into the harbour, provided that if the sewage is eteansed by means of septic; tanks no objections wiJl be offered.' , (2) "That consideration be deferred, Dr. Makanll to be requested to attend next meeting of the committee." Botl? resolutions 'were adopted.

The first clause of the recommendation had reference to an application of the City Council for permission to lay a sewer to low water mark from Hamil-ton-road, Sentinel-road, and Sarsfleldstreet gully. The second portion referred to the whole question of the discharge of sewage into the harbour, and aifects Parnell and other districts which at present drain into the habour.

There are six sewers conveying sewage matter of fche city into the sea, situated as follows:—Freeman's Bay, St. Marys-road (Ponsonby), Campbell's Gully (Curran-street, Ponsonby), Masefield's Gully (Sarsfield-street), Mechanic's Bay, and Railway-road. The cost of erecting soptie tanks for the biological treatment of the whole of the city sewage is estimated by an engineer at about £200,000. From some of the low-lying sewers, like that in Freeman's Bay, pumping would be necessary, and this would add to the expense. Probably a number of the other sewers would be connected together for treatment at one tank. Opinions appear to differ as to the Harbour Board's power to prevent the pollution., and further developments are awaited with considerable interest.