The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 1935. DECISIVE ACTION NEEDED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 204, 29 August 1935, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 1935. DECISIVE ACTION NEEDED.

For the cause that lacks assistance. For the wrong that 7ieeds resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

A general awakening- of public opinion on the drainage question has been evident following the publicity given to the many phases of the problem in the columns of: this paper, and to-day the opportunity is presented to local bodies of saving some thousands of pounds at the outset by the purchase of Brown's Island as a site for outfall works. Although opinions may differ as to the value of this island for the purpose, it should be recognised that no other site has been yet suggested which combines so many advantages with low cost. An outfall which could be enlarged to serve the needs of several times Auckland's present population is needed. Brown's Island is so plaqgd and of such a. size that it could be developed gradually; it is.away from the mainland, yet close enough to be easily reached by laying a sewer across a shallow channel ; a strong tidal current sweeps through the nearby Molukorea Channel, where the clarified effluent would be discharged; and if in time a system of barge transport had to be established to remove the sewage waste from the island this could be easily arranged. The outfall is the key to the whole scheme. Next in importance is the main sewer system, and this is a matter of vital concern to all local authorities. The route, the cost, the convenience of the new system in relation to the present sewer reticulation of districts — these have to be considered in the light of regional and local needs. In the scheme prepared by Mr. Watkins one trunk sewer would link up Orakei with a point on the foreshore opposite Brown's Island; another would follow the general line of Tamaki River to near "Westfield, and there branch to the south and west. Thus at least a dozen districts could be connected with the Brown's Island outfall. Every one of these districts is concerned in the present proposals. The support of each is needed before the scheme in its entirety can be adopted. But they must first be supplied Avith information as to their share of the cost. Therefore immediate arrangements should be made for such local surveys as are required to prepare estimates. In areas still unserved by drainage facilities the authorities may reasonably ask for some approximate idea of the cost of an internal sewage reticulation to link up with the Drainage Board's system. In other areas some portion of the existing drainage mains and outlets may have to be discarded. What allowance, if any, will be made for such loss of capital? Then there is the question as to what basis should be used in allocating the cost of the outfall and the trunk sewers; should this be shared in proportion to the capital value or the population, or should both these factors be taken into account? To reach agreement on all points will demand co-operation, forbearance and vision. In some districts the need of action is urgent, and in all there will be a gain if decisions of major importance are made with the.least possible delay. The option to purchase Brown's Island at £6500 is limited to two years; the Unemployment Board's subsidy will not be available indefinitely; materials and wages will rise, and interest rates are likely to harden. The amount of the saving to be made on an undertaking of this magnitude by commencing it under the favourable conditions now prevailing must run into tens of thousands of pounds.