ENTIRELY INADEQUATE

Evening Star, Issue 21570, 16 November 1933, Page 3

ENTIRELY INADEQUATE

SOUTHERN AREA DRAINAGE PROTEST AT HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING Asking tilut an assurance be given that an effort will be made to cope with the distinctive and insanitary condition of the drainage in the southern area affected by the recent flood, a motion was carried at a meeting of householders of the district in St. Peter’s Church Hall last night. Canon Button presided. A protest was also lodged against the drainage rate, and further it was considered that a system should function satisfactorily at all times in the interests of those who had to pay the drainage authorities. The Chairman explained that the meeting had been called at the request of a number of ratepayers to discuss the matter of the recent floods in the area,' and to transmit the findings to the authorities. In the last eleven years the area had been flooded four times, and the value of property had been seriously affected. There would be two speakers on behalf of the residents, and Cr J. J. Marlow, chairman of the Works Committee of the Drainage Board, would state tire position and policy of the board. He read a telegram from Mr F. Jones, M.P., who expressed the hope that any representations that might be made to the board would have the desired result. Mr A. T. M'lndoe said that the flood had been very destructive, but the meeting should try to offer a little constructive criticism in the hope that something would be done in the matter. He was a representative on the old South Dunedin Council, and knew the position in regard to the drains laid down then. Those drains were used to take ihe storm water. Speaking of the drain that existed to carry away the surplus water from the hills at St. Clair, he said that it was understood now that this was not coping with the flow of water. Trouble seemed to arise when the overflow- from the old Cavcrsham tunnel came down Alexander street and met the Cargill road sower. He also spoke at length in connection with the Kensington drainage, and suggested that a pumping system should be installed to remove the water from the flat. To turn the water into the sewers at an exceptional time should not bo difficult. He referred to the objectionable smell emanating from the surplus water, and yet the householders were to pay just the same as the people who were not affected. The following motion was then moved by the speaker: —“ That this meeting of householders affected by the flood in the southern area, desires an assurance from the Drainage Board that an effort will be made forthwith to cope with the destructive and insanitary condition of the drainage now in existence, and also protests against being compelled to pay a drainage rate for a service that is entirely inadequate for the requirements of the district. This meeting of householders considers that a drainage system should be kept in such a state of efficiency as to ensure its functioning at all times in the interest of people; who are expected to keep up their part of the contract—namely, by paying on due date the rates and other charges demanded by the drainage authorities.” The motion was seconded by Mr H R. Hunt, who said that there was no doubt that the surplus drain water should go into the harbour. The trouble with the present system was that the drain was not big enough. He had seen the Cargill road sewer opened up, and it was a disgrace. It was never empty—there was always water lying in it. The drain on to the foreshore opened into a box, which was on a level with thc_ water. He understood that the drain was never finished, but should have been taken over Sunshine way, thence to a pump, which would shoot flic water over the concrete wall into the harbour. “ Something will have to be done at the outlet end,” he said. “ It is no use tinkering about Bathgate Park.” In the park he had seen a red substance oozing out of the ground, and upon investigation found that this was blood that had come from the abattoirs.. There was a splendid sewerage system at Kensington, but the pumps there, which worked all right in fine weather, were never meant to deal with storm water. He suggested that there should be some valves in the vicinity of St. Andrew street to run the water off to the harbour, while the pumps could do the rest of the work. That the health authorities'had not taken action was surprising. “We can get a dozen different schemes offered us,” said Cr Marlow. “ No one is more conversant with the conditions of the flat than I am. I will give a brief outline of the works of the board.” In the old days there were a number of small townships in the district. and each had a system of drainage. The position in flood time was that Nature poured the water from the hills at St, Clair and the hills at the other side on to the flat. In justice to those who had built the sewerage system in Forbury road years ago lie would say that before anything was done expert opinions from overseas sources were obtained. The storm water conduit in Forbury road was not large enough, hut there were two alternatives, and the Wilkie road drainage was the answer. He had once tried to have the Wilkie road drain continued to the Glen road, but this could not be done, as the loan money necessary could not be diverted; but a new schedule had now been prepared to continue the drain to Corstorphine. The drainage of the flat bad never been properly laid out, but the board was working to place it on a proper system. Ho gave details of the proposed additions to the system.

A general discussion was (hen heard, and several questions were answered by Cr Marlow, who stated that the board was most anxious to give relief, and was trying its best to clear blocked sewers.

The motion was then carried unanimously.