NORTHCOTE DRAINAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 13 January 1926, Page 11

NORTHCOTE DRAINAGE.

INITIAL TANK TROUBLES

POSITION NOW .SATISFACTORY.

Various aspects of the drainage system just installed at Northcote were, before the Borough ■Council last evening. The engineer, Mr. F. E. Powell, reported that he had made an inspection of the whole of the s works executed by the contractors, Messrs. W. -Stevenson and Sons, and stated these had been completed to his satisfaction. All reinstatement works, both upon public and private properties, had also been completed according to requirements. The engineer submitted tentative drawings of the house plan of the drainage works completed. He stated that jt would be impracticable to show the private drains until the work was much further advanced, when they would be plotted. A shoal of complaints and reports in connection with what the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. H. Chesson. described as "offensive smells" from the septic tank and pumping station in the Sulphur Beach area were dealt with. In his report, the drainage engineer. Mr. F. S. Powell, stated that bacterial action in the tank was now beginning to build up properly. Measures were being taken to safeguard any nuisance arising. Everything possible was being done to improve matters. '.AH crevices and vents where sewer gas could escape had been sealed. The septic tank was improving .in action every day, and making for satisfactory working. The Mayor. Mr. C. A. Beuxberry. stated that throughout the holidays the engineer came over to Northcote on several occasions, and ,gave the matter the closest attention. "Every possible precaution was taken to prevent anything objectionable. He thought there would be no further trouble. He could not state in open council what was the trouble at the tank., but he would have something to say about the matter ir. committee. There was no denying thai at times there had been objectionabl< smells. On his- motion it was deciderto reply to Dr. H. Chesson that the council understood that he was satisfied wit" the measures taken by the council ir. the : nratter; and to inform the various other correspondents that the tank wa not. causing any nuisance at present and that remedial measures approvec by the medical officer of health had beei adopted. \. /