CITY DRAINAGE SCHEME.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 67, 18 March 1908, Page 9

CITY DRAINAGE SCHEME.

HARBOUR BOARD APPROVES. j NO FURTHER EXPERT ADVICE WANTED. The action of the City Council in getting Mr. Midgley Taylor to visit j Auckland and confirm his drainage j scheme after personal inspection of the j area to be dealt with, was supported by I the decision arrived at by the Harbour Board yesterday afternoon, not to secure any further expert advice upon the question of whether or not the outfall at Okahu Point would pollute the harbour. Mr. J. B. Macfarlane- introduced the question by moving: -That the resolution of the Board adopted at a meeting I held on the 3rd day of September. 11)07, approving of the suggestion to procure independent expert advice in' reference to the proposed city sewage outfall at Orakei, be now rescinded." lie said they ! had now reports from Mr. Midgley Taylor, Mr. Bush, Mr. Hamer, arid the Health Officer (Dr. Purdy), and surely that was sufficient expert" advice for the Board. Of course they would require to take reasonable precautions as to how the sewage v,_s discharged at Okahu Point. Mr. Heather seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Clause 4 of the report of the Board in committee was adopted, as follows-.— "That the; Board be recommended to consent to the proposal upon proper conditions; and that a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Heather, Kaycs, Macfarlane, Napier, and the Chairman, be appointed to consider anil advise the Board's solicitors as to details, and the conditions and terms upon which the concessiem may be granted, and as to such legislation as may be necessary to enable, the City Council to carry" out tiie work; provided, however, that no work in connection with the scheme be undertaken until an agreement between i all the proper parties shall have been , submitted and duly executed by them." WARNING TO OTHER BODIES. The Chairman (Eon. 'E. Mitehelson) ] said the Board should consider the position of other local bodies discharging sewage into the harbour. Some time f.go action was taken, notifying all local bodies that raw sewage must not be j discharged into the harbour, but action ■ was stayed, pending receipt of Mr. Midg--1 ley Taylor's report. Now it would • strengthen the hands of the City Council if other local bodies were notified that the practice must cease. It was also right that the Devonport Council should be notified in accordance with Mr. Midgley Taylor's advice, that the outfall of | that borough's sewer should be carried jto at least 10 feet beyond low water : mark. Mr. Napier drew attention to the need of great care being exercised in drawing up the agreement with the Council, as Auckland would be a great city in years j to come, and the deed would bind tbe 1 Board for the future. He quite agreed that the Board should prohibit other local bodies discharging sewage into the harbour. That would strengthen the City Council in its endeavours to carry out a comprehensive scheme of drainage. There would be very essential terms i and conditions to be incorported into a | deed. It would be necessary to provide ', that the City Council sliould pay cost jof dredging silt at the outfall of the I sewer. It might be that the City Council and other bodies might form a drain- : age board. Mr. Entrican and Mr. Hutchison: "No! No!" J Mr. Napier said they could not state I yet what steps would be taken in the | matter. I Mr. A. J. Entrican said they must allow time for the intercepting sewer (to be constructed before prohibiting loe-iil bodies The discussion then dropped.