AUCKLAND DRAINAGE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 290, 1 September 1908, Page 7

AUCKLAND DRAINAGE.

QUESTION OF REPRESENTATION. ' DISCUSSION BY THE CITY COUNCIL. (lIV TELEGRAPH —I'ItESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, August 31.

A special meeting of the Auckland City Council was called this morning for the. purpose of listening to tho-report of/tho delegates who went to Wellington in/connection with the Drainago Bill. ' / Mr. A. M. Myers (the Mayor) said ho had called tho meeting at as early a date as possible. He referred to the visit of Messrs. Bagnall, Entrican, and himself, to Wellington. Tho Mayor then oxplained that all, that had been done was to give a modified form of representation to suit special, circumstances. Not to have dono so would have imperilled the Bill, and as practical men they must admit they would not have been justified in doing that which. would perhaps mean hanging up tho important question of drainage for Auckland for years. He was prepared to take the full responsibility for what be had done, and was sure that his fellow delegates would do the same. After lengthy discussion Mr. Parr moved: " That the council is unablo on tho evidence before it to' agree to the constitution of a drainago board."

Mr. Smeeton said the present proposal was fnr a boc-rl of 27 af+^v drainage alone for about 80,000 people. In Dunedin there were nine meinfaers representing eight municipalities. Christchurch had eight members for as many districts, and the city had one representative. He had always contended that a drainage would ■be a disaster to the city. If they agreed to the drainage board, and gavo representation the other local bodies 'had all thcjy required, and the Greater Auckland scheme would bo put back very 'seriously. The Mayor said ho was firmly convinced that the time had not arrived for the bringing about of a Greater Auckland. The people of Auckland would require to bo educated for another year'or two before; they realised the, necessity for this very desirable ovent. The council had no right to do anything to jeopardise tho passing of this Bill. If they were the Parliament of New Zealand there was no doubt what-the result would be, but they were not, and did not have tho last word in a matter of this-kind. Under tho circumstances he thought tho comproiniso a perfectly justifiable one. The Drainage Board wouid sit down to carry out the details of a schemo which was already decided upon. Ho did not think they wero justified in taking any action which would delay the passing of a measure which would givo effect to and provide for the wishes of the majority of the community, and con*servo their health.: Mr. Parr thought that in threo or four years they would live to regret having voted for a drainago board. Tlicy would have dispute after dispute, and irritation after irritation, for that had been tho experience in other places. Eventually tho motion was put and lost. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ; Auckland, August 31.. At a special meeting of ,tho Parnell Borough Council to consider the Auckland Prainago Bill, a resolution was carriod.ap-, proving , of tho delegates' - action in Wellington, and appointing Mr. H. D.' Bell, of Wellington, to watch tho council's interests.