Policy Of Drainage Board Defended

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30561, 2 October 1964, Page 14

Policy Of Drainage Board Defended

Figures showed that the Christchurch Drainage Board had laid sewers at an unprecedented rate over the last 12 years, said Mr G. A. G. Connal, a member of the board, and secretary of the Christchurch Citizens’ and Ratepayers’ Association, yesterday. He was replying to Mr N. G. Pickering, secretary of the Christchurch Labour Representation Committee. Post-war building threatened Christchurch with a major health problem, but this was overcome by determined action, Mr Connal said. Sewer planning and installation had to take, precedence over stormwater drainage, and this policy was generally accepted. While major sewer reticulation programmes were being carried out, the stormwater problems were kept in check and in the last three years large stormwater loans had been raised. The board’s policy had been to increase its activity on stormwater improvements once the pressing demands for sewers were met, and this had been common knowledge. The work achieved could only be carried out by a contented and loyal staff, Mr Connal said. On the Estuary, he said the board had initiated research and planning. Claims outstanding against the board were from one contractor only and did not arise because the advice of the chief engineer was ignored, he continued. The board and

its solicitors believed the claims had little merit and proposed to fight them strenuously. Mr Pickering seemed to have been singularly illinformed about the retiring chief engineer (Mr H. F. Page), Mr Connal said. Apparently his Labour colleagues had not told him Mr Page was approached at least 10 weeks ago and asked to reconsider his resignation. The board had always appreciated Mr Page’s services and had expressed its confidence in him and the engineering staff. Mr Connal said the board had been dissatisfied with the existing ward system for a long time, and about 15 months ago had gone into the matter. The board had taken the initiative in preparing a scheme which divided its area into five wards of similar size. This had been discussed with the City Council and the Transport Board, but efforts to complete the scheme had been frustrated. During the major sewerage reticulation works, the board had tried to implement a policy of laying sidelines at the same time, but it had not worked, he said. The sidelines had to be laid by a licensed drainlayer. The main contractor got bogged down. Only two former Labour members of the board had been returned unopposed, he said. One had six years’ experience, and the other five months. By indiscreet statements, the latter had already done the board a great disservice by causing it to lose Mr .Page’s replacement Any other Labour candidate returned must be a new member, he said.

Traffic Officer Injured.— Keith William Stamler, of 12 Fisher avenue, a traffic officer, suffered minor leg injuries when his motor-cycle and a heavy truck colli'ded in Moorhouse avenue about 8.20 a.m. yesterday. He was treated at the Christchurch Hospital and sent home.

One previous Labour member lost his seat early this year because he failed to attend four consecutive board meetings, Mr Connal said. On Sumner problems, Mr Connal said the district had had a sewerage system for many years and although it was inadequate it must be borne in mind that other areas of the board’s district had had no sewers at all. Relief of the Sumner-Redcliffs situation was a large and costly job which must be tackled by the new board, but it had to be considered carefully in relation to priorities for new housing areas.