NORTHCOTE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 50, 1 March 1922, Page 5

NORTHCOTE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

SEWERAGE OF A POPTXLATED AREA. EXPENDITURE OF £29,000 PROPOSED BESIDES WATERWORKS EXTENSION A special meeting of the Northcote Borough Council was held last night to consider proposals for the sewerage of the populated portion of the 'borough south from Onewa and Gordon Roads, and including properties fronting the northern skies of these roads. The Mayor, Mr. W. E. Richardson, presided, and Councillors J. B. Tonar, Alfred Parrish, Alfred Hurley, W. H. Barnes, W. C. Smith, A. W. Smith, 0. R. Brinsden, W. K. A. Stewart and F. O. Devlin were also present.

Mr. F. E. Powell, C.E., stated that the area under review—the whole of the borough east of YaDey Road and south of Onewa and Gordon Roads —contained 245 acres, and the present population, was two thousand. The ground generally lent itself to the economical collection of the sewage, very good grades being obtained. An exception, however, was at Sulphur Beach, where about 12 acres rose very little above the level of extraordinary spring tides, and where it would be necessary to instal pumps to deal with this portion. One outfall only was considered desirable, and therefore the effluent from the proposed septic tank on the north end of Stafford Road near the Ibeach would be led (by gravitation for some fourteen chains into the harbour ibelow the low water leveL It wae essential that the sewage should be free from objectionable solids and floating matter before discharge. The pumping station, proposed to be built in Tennyson Street, would lift the sewage from the Sulphur Beach portion to the reticulation pipes leading to the Stafford Road tank, whkh would receive the output from the v/hole area drained. A tunnel -would connect Alfred Street with the Western Beach, the reticulation from the high land near the main achool, and also from the southern or -wharf end, traversing tbie tunnel. The eastern reticulation, (both from the north and eowfch portions, led into the Stafford Road tank, the suggested size of which ft 35ft x 34ft x eft deep, of reinforced concerete, with partitions, and roofed over. The estimated cost of the complete scheme, including future extensions, engineering, and contingencies wae I £29,000, reticulation absorbing £18,253, pumping station £1,760, tanks and outfall £3,245, future extensions £2,576, contingencies and supervision £3,237, a total of £29,071. .

Cγ. Tonar pointed out that in addition it would coet each householder at least £25 to connect. It would be desirable to put an amount on the loan to finance ratepayers for connections. Cγ. W. C. Smith suggested that the sewerage installation would require increased pumping plant and storage, the reservoir now only holding six hours' supply. The Mayor eaid the reeervoir was hopelessly inadequate. Cγ. Stewart: It appears -we want £35,000. The Mayor: Quite easily. Cr. Barnes considered the only matter before them was to get a bedrock idea of putting in a drainage system, not to other matters pertaining , to such an installation. During the discussioin the money required had leaped from £29,000 to £40,000. He contended the Council asked for separate estimates for 'Noe. 1, 2, and 3 areas, Ibut the sirm.s mentioned were only "atmosphe-ic."

The Mayor replied that the Council, after discussing the desirability of separate areas, decided to ask for the scheme to he treated as a whole. The consideration of water supply provision was perfectly relevant to the discussion on the sewerage gcbeme.

Cγ. W. C. Smith contended it wonid ibe unfair to have separate areas, as the main works were in the middle area, and it would not 'be equitable to charge the whole cost of these to that area, as they formed part of the whole scheme and were of equal benefit to the other areas.

Eventually, on the motion of Cr. Tonar, seconded by the Mayor, it was resolved to consider the report in committee in three weeks, the Finance Committee to report concerning the financial aspect, the waterworks engineer regarding the increased water supply required, and Mr. Powell the cost of enlarging the rmmrvmi.