MIRAMAR DRAINAGE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 303, 16 September 1921, Page 5

MIRAMAR DRAINAGE

THE WORKERS’ DWELLINGS

DEPUTATION TO CITY COUNCIL i EXPLANATION BY THE MAYOR A deputation representing the occupiers of' workers’ dwellings at Miramar waited fn tho City Council last evening to urge/ that their houses should be connected with the drainage system as speedily as possible. Unless something was done promptly to complete the work the residents were afraid that there would bo a serious epidemic in tho district'during the summer months. Mr. R. M'Keen said tho deputation was the outcome of a meeting of the occupiers of workers’ dwellings at Miramar at which one of the principal questions dealt with was drainage. The occupiers felt that the council did not fully realise the serious menace, that the lack of drainage to these houses constituted to the (health of residents in this particular district. If the importance of the matter was realised then it was felt that the council would make greater efforts to have the drainage completed. The drainage from the houses went into a sump which was in front of some houses and at the rear of others. In some cases it was only from 6 feet to .9 feet from the dwellings and about 6 feet deep.. The original intention of tjie .sump, he thought, was to allow the water to soak away,) but the sides of the sump had becomd covered with grease, and as the water could not got through the sump had to be emptied two or three times a week. The only place to throw the water was around tho houses or on to the street, and in consequence It created a great stench which was not good (for the health of the residents. A bad atmosphere was created and the health of the community could not be maintained if something was not done. Already there had been a great amount of illness among tho residents. So far 63 dwellings had been occupied and within tho-next month 112 would be occupied. <lf the fine weatner Continued and proper drainage was not provided. Miramar would be laying a splendid foundation for an epidemic. He suggested that the council Should supply disinfectants. Mr. T. Sherrin endorsed the remarks of Mr. M’Keen.

Councillor C. H. Chapman: Is it a fact that scarlet fever has broken out? Mr. Sherrin: There was one serious qase,' but the patient was cured. A case at present which was thought to be scarlet feyer was only a case of syptic throat. There had only been one Case of scarlet fever within the hst throe months.

Councillor H. D. Bennett: Are you blaming the City Council for this trouble in connection with the drainage? Mr. M'Keen; We certainly think the City Council should have done more than it has—more men should have been put on. Councillor M. F. Luckie Wanted to know how- it was that the houses were allowed to he occupied before the drainage was completed. Mr. M'Keen: That is a point We <io not understand? It seems to us that one body is trying to put the responsibility on to another body. The Housing Department tyiy- it is entirely your fault x «ind you say it is not. Tho Mayor: Is it not a fact that tlip tenants pressed the (Government particularly hard to get into these houses Because they could not get other houses? ' Mr. M'Keen replied that that was the case. The housing conditions were so bad at the time that they wanted to get into the houses, and were allowed to enter before they were completed. The Mayor said that the council was not to blame for the position of the drainage, for it had done all it could to expedite the work. In 1919 the Labour Department was notified that water and drainage would not be available for the houses to be erected at Miramar. The Labour Department and the Miramar Borough Council had a dispute as to which of them should put in the drainage. but subsequently an agreement was arrived at. The Miramar Borough Council commenced the work in September, 1920. The first thing tho council bad to contend with was lack of labour, and it had to do the best’it could until Jami-' ary this year, when more labour became available. In February last Miramax joined Hhe city, and the City Council therefore had to complete the work. The City Council fully recognised the seriousness and gravity of the situation, and had consulted expert officers to see whether anything could bo done ,to relieve the position. It had been informed that it would be inadvisable to put more men into the gangs for more ground would he opened up and more w«t«r would pour info the excavations. The main outfall in Princes Street bad to be completed before the dra'iage in Broadway could be dealt with. The first houses in Broadwav should “be connected within n few weeks. In conclusion, the Mayor said his remarks would go to show, that the present City Council was not to blame in connection wjth the drainage, for it had done all it could in the limited time nt Its disposal. . As soon as 200 feet of drainage was completed in Princes Street they could put on more men. , The deputation then withdrew. . k j