THE DRAINAGE OF PETONI.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 4, 6 January 1881, Page 2

THE DRAINAGE OF PETONI.

?—? — ' — A deputation consisting of Messrs'. J. S. Manning, W. N. Park,.S. Scoles, and J. Mills, and representing a large number of the residents of Petom, waited on the Hutt District Highway Board at their usual monthly meeting yesterday respecting a proposed scheme for the drainage of that township. Mr. Manning, who acted as spokesman, said that a series of meetings had lately been held in the township, at which it had been decided to institute subscriptions among the residents, with a view to constructing a drain from Barton Terrace down to the sea at low-water level — a distance of about 21 chains. In accordance with that resolution the sum of £61 had been collected, but as the cost, of constructing such a drain was estimated at £127, the deputation wished to- know whether the Hoard would make up the balance, so that the scheme might ba carried into effect with as little d»lay'a3 possible. Mr. Fitzherbert, the County Kngineor, stated the drain would prove of incalculable -benefit to the township. If the water were allowed to collect on the road aa at present, it would no doubt cut the road up into a quagmire next winter, and if the Board wished to keep the road in proper repair, they would have to spend a considerable sum of money to prevent this. Mr. Mason, the chairman of the Board, here remarked that a petition, signed by 15 ratepayers of Petoni, had been sent in, requesting that 17 chains of Vogel Road might be formed, the petitioners -guaranteeing to defray half the cost of the work. The deputation pointed out that the drainage scheme Was of more importance than tue formation of Vogel road, inasmuch as by the former the whole township would be, benefited. The Chairman — Will the township be content to havo the money spent on the drain, to the exclusion of other roads, or will the petition I have referred to come before the Board again ? Because, unfortunately, you cannot have the money twice over. Ihe deputation replied that up to the present they had been wholly ignorant of the petition in question ; and on the inggestion of the chairman, who said it was a great pity that a lack of unanimity existed among the residents regarding these matters, it wu then decided that both the.

drainage scheme and the formation of Vogel road should stand over till the next meeting of the Board, to enable the inhabitants of Petoni to discuss these subjects and come to a definite decision as to their wishes.