The Evening Star THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1903.

Evening Star, Issue 11892, 21 May 1903, Page 4

The Evening Star THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1903.

It is satisfactory to note from the proceedings of -the Drainage Practical and Sewerage Board at at Last. • their meeting on Tuesday that they are really settling down to the practical work for which they were constituted, and are about to take initiatory measures for carrying into effect the general design recommended by their. 'engineer. The lucid, comprehensive speech of Dr Coughrrey, in moving the adoption of the report of the Works Committee, puts the whole matter in a nutshell, and enables a complete understand--ing to be •arrived a* as to the character of the works which have to be undertaken and the policy'intended to be pursued in carrying them out. The engineer proposes to start operations at the main outfall, opposite Bird Islands, and in .accordance with the advice of the Works Committee the Board have authorised the immediate construction of an aerial tramway between the. mainland and the islands, so that, as recommended by the engineer, the islands may be accessible at most times of the tide. The tramway will be a wire rope connection, so constructed as to form <i portion of the works which will be necessary for such operations as. will subsequently be needed. This tramway will be the first step. The fencing of the suction well and pumping station site will, be promptly followed by operations at that point. By the middle.of next month the engineer expects to have the specifications for the engines and boilers ready for submission to the Board, and he has, as stated in his report, already written to Europe to obtain more data as to the auxiliary engines (the Diesel oil engines), so as to give ample time to call for tenders for them locally. Tenders for the outfall section of the large intercepting channel, which will ultimately extend from The Glen to the Southern Ocean, at the point indicated, are expected to. be soon called for. The plans and specifications are nearly ready, and the work is so designed by the engineer that, in the meantime, whilst it is under construction, the polluted water and all ordinary .rainfall will continue to flow through the Flat areas, as at present. This, Dr Coughrrey remarks, will enable this important conduit, until such time as other parts of the scheme are developed, when sewerage will be separate from drainage, to act at its inception as a relief or safety valve during times of heavy flood. In order to effect and facilitate the economical carrying out of important worksindicated, the engineer suggests that the contracts for the outfall section be divided into three parts, thus affording greater opportunities to contractors of moderate means. He does not anticipate that any of these contracts will exceed £2,000, and expresses himself assured that the whole work (tie outfall section) will be carried out for a sum considerably under his original estimate; Within the City boundaries the first of the detritus tanks designed by the engineer is proposed to ba put up for tender in connection with the Frederick street sewer. These detritus tanks, the Works Committee state, will have at once the effect of mitigating the offensive condition of the Upper Harbor, thus improving the hygienic conditions of the community. Although technically ' " detritus tanks," they are, as purposely designed, more strictly combined septic and detritus tanks. The one at Frederick street sewer outfall i#s to be followed up forthwith by similar tanks at other storm-wiiter conduits discharging into the harbor. Tidal flaps for the various harbor outfalls, in -to-, coidance with strong recommendations, arc to be adopted, and for these tenders can at once -be called.. Simultaneously with these 'arge operations reticulating works, v. ill bo undertaken in many'parts of tho drainage district, especially in the hill suburbs, the North-e&st Valley, and certain City areas.. These' reticulations are ia-. tended to be' practically part of the permanent work. The Works Committee point but, however, that care will require to be exercised that these reticulations iu advance are proceeded with cautiously, having dufc regard to the economical' 'expenditure i of the Board's funds and the avoidance, of precipitancy, which might result in creating gn-ater nuisances than those already exist- ! ing.'

The Board have evidently decided on a right line of action in giving due consideration to the advice of their engineer, having once accepted his scheme and general principlea of policy. There was some discussion at the meeting on Tuesday evening in regard to definite recommendations embodied in a recent report as to contracts for material which, of course, involve large amounts of money. • Mr Anderson is very decided in his opinion that the Board will secure the best work at the lowest, cost by " purchasing all material, instead of leaving " the responsibility and weight of such put-. " chase to the Contractors. From every "point of view this policy- will commend "itself."