FIRST SOD TURNED

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 10, 13 January 1932, Page 10

FIRST SOD TURNED

EASTBOURNE'S WATER

START ON DRAINAGE

ESSENTIAL SERVICES

* The ceremony of turning the first sod in connection with the work of installing an up-to-date ""water and drainage scheme for the borough of Eastbourne took place this morning on tho north side of the approach to the Eastbourne Wharf. Tho sod was turned by the Mayor of the borough, Mr. Sam i l. Fisher, wlxo was accompanied by Mrs. Fisher and members of the Borough Council. There were also present Councillor A. Mcßain, representing tho Lower Hutt Borough Council, Mr. A. G. Bush, borough cnginI eer, Lower Hutt (who is in charge of j the carrying out of the scheme, having been lent for that purpose by his council), and Mr. R. Mainland, assistant borough engineer of Lower Hutt, who in the absence of Mr. Bush, through illness, has been acting in his stead. ' The Mayor was introduced to the large gathering by Mr. W. F. Hornig, chairman of tlie Water and Drainage Committee. Mr. Hornig said the work was probably the most important which had been undertaken by the borough. The Mayor had been a anost enthusiastic worker for the project. "MOST REASONABLE COST." Mr. Ksher, who was received with acclamation, said the borough was one of tho most favoured by Nature in the Dominion, but had in the past lacked the services most essential in a seaside resort—water and drainage. The present council had, immediately it had come iuto office, realised the need, and had* at once explored every avenue for a water supply, and had now found the final solution in a very fine supply from the'Ldwer Hutt Borough at. a most reasonable cost. ' • . ■ The borough was fairly heavily rated, said the Mayor, and the neea for economy was realised. Tho Unemployment Boara was interviewed regarding the supply of labour for the carrying out of the scDeme, ana a subsiay was arranged. Difficulties, however, arose, and further negotiations were enterea into. It was decided to carry out the work under the No. 5 scheme, which meant that the labour cost would be paid.for by the board, and the work carried out at relief rates of pay. Had this not been arranged the cost would have been too great for the borough to bear, and the scheme' would probably havo .had to be.delayed for two years at least. Now, however, the work would be carried out at a surprisingly low cost considering .the great benefits to be derived. The cost of the combined works would now be "about £25,000 in place of £35,000 or £38,000. ■' FOB EASTBOURNE ONLY. The scheme was entirely for the benefit of Eastbourne, said Mr. Pisher and no provision at all had been made for. the Hutt county, the county having declined the offer made by Eastbourne to join in it. Mr. Fisher cordially thanked Mr. W. T. Strand, Mayor of Lower Hutt, for the assistance he had rendered Mr. A. G, Bush for his great help and advice, and the Water and Drainage Committee for the solid work «, had done in investigating schemes. The Mayor then, to the sound of rinsing cheers, turned the first sod The first work to bo douo will be on tho sewerage portion of the work in tho northern end of the borough Tho men who will be employee?, during the first few weeks will be Eastbourne men who have already been engaged TTnwa i ltif °'f.tue "servoir above Point .Howard has been arranged for ana tha contractor, Mr. Slowef, wiH shortly commence the excavation * twr# + "^'' G" Bush does no* anticipate that there will be any difficulty in carrying the water-pipes on the seaward side of the Day's Bay road, and after a survey has been made the work or iaymg the pipes can proceed.