THE GOVERNMENT AND THE DRAINAGE BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 12899, 23 August 1906, Page 8

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE DRAINAGE BOARD.

RAILWAY STATION CONNECTION TO BE CUT. -_■'. . The Drainage Board met yesterday afternoon at 3.30-r-the adjourned meeting—Mr W. Burnett presiding. The Secretary (Mr Esther) read the telegram from the Minister of Works stating that he was inquiring into the complaint from the Board as to the railway station having been connected with the sewer. Mr Scott: Wc asked for a definite answer. Several membcro remarked that the message was no answer at all. Mr Han:ock and Mr Marlow thought it would be as well to wait a little and sec if anything would be done. The messago be in good faith.. Ihe Chairman: Hdw long would you wait? We asked for a prompt answer. Mr Scott: If you hold the matter over for a week you may as well say good-bye to the whole thing, for if. the department has the use of those conveniences for a week there will bo no stopping it. Mr Small thought they might as well be defendants as plaintiffs "if they bad to get into the court.

Mr Scot;, moved that the Works Committee bo instructed to cut the connection. Mr Hancock moved that the matter be left in the hands of the Works Committee with power to act. Mr Scott.- No ; instruct the Works Committee to have it stopped. Mr Hancock's motion was not seconded. The Chairman: I suppose you all know, gentlemen, that the Government are putting pure lime into this. You know the effect of that on pipes. It has been pointed out to them. The man who was doing it was asked if ho knew what the effect would be, and he said he had hi? instructions. The fact is, of course, that lime is cheaper than chloride of lime. I consider the treatment Dunedin is receiving is utterly contemptuous. I feel ashamed to live in the place. It is first one thing and then another. They do what they like with us. Wnat aTe our representatives doing, T should like to know? It seems to me that they are dumb dogs and lick the foot that kicks them. However, it's no use getting excited. Mr Gore: Have you ascertained our legal position? The Chairman: Our solicitor savs we have power to stop it. Mr Scott's motion was then put and carried, and Mr Slingcr was called in and instructed to have this done at once. The following telegram from the Hon. J. A. Millar was received :—" Your telegram received. Am making inquiries from Minister of Railways, and will advise you of result later on "