AUCKLAND DRAINAGE 0SCHEME.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 51, 1 March 1923, Page 10

AUCKLAND DRAINAGE OSCHEME.

FROM TAHAKI WEST. FOR INCLUSION IST AREA. The inclusion of a portion of the Tamaki West Road District within the drainage district, was the subject of an application received from the" Road ;Board by the Auckland and Surburban Drainage Board last evening. The portion involved comprised an area of some 2250 acres adjoining the drainage district on one side and extending from the foreshore, including Orakei, Kohimarama and St. Hclier's, to the St. Helicr's Road. Reporting to the Drainage Board, the engineer-secretary, Mr. 11. X. Watkins, etated that in a previous report dated November 22, 1922, in connection with a preliminary proposal of the Road Board it was indicated that it would be quite practicable to grant such an application as had now been made. The terms under which the Drainage Board decided to give favourable consideration t« tbe proposal were that the Road JT'oard should make payment to the Drainage Board of one-half of the total 'amount of annual assessments that would have been paid if the Road Board ■had been one of the original contributing authorities, and that the Drainage Board should provide at its cost approved extensions of its sewer system to the boundary of the road district to •permit of the reticulation sewer system of the road district being connected to the Drainage Board's system. Under • these terms an amount of £1402 18/6 : would become payable by the Road Board :for the period, April 1, 1911 to March '31, 1923, the total assessment that would have been payable during that time being £2805 17/. The principal obligation of the Drainage Board, under the terms referred to, would be the construction of a sewerage tunnel estimated to cost £14,000. Before this work could be proceeded with, it would be necessary to obtain enabling legislation to construct the sewer through the area in question, and to borrow money for expenditure, i It was practicable for the whole of the reticulation sewer system, which was being designed for the area in question, i to be connected to this sewer at its proposed terminal point on the boundary of the road district. Certain areas •would have co be dealt with by pumping stations, but the Road Board was aware ; of this necessity. Notwithstanding j these circumstances, however, there . should be a proper understanding with I the Road Board to the effect that the Drainage Board was not necessarily committed to any further extension of ; its sewer system. The chairman, Mr. J. H. Gunson, said that he was disappointed to learn that the proportion of rates for the area was not greater. He moved that the application be granted in the terms of the engineer's report, the Road Board paying £1403 18/6 arrears, and an annual contribution assessed on the year's rating value, providing that no such annual assessment shall produce less than 6} per cent, of the capital cost of the sewer, and until such time as the sewer is used by other authorities as to Tender t_is provision unnecessary. The resolution was carried, Mr. Gunson remarking that this seemed the most equitable arrangement. It was not desired to penalise the Road Board.