DRAINAGE OF BOROUGH.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 712, 14 October 1914, Page 5

DRAINAGE OF BOROUGH.

NECESSITY FOR SCHEME,

DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL

The question of town drainage has been discussed by the Borough Council from "time to time, and as necessity ' arose extensions to the present system I have been made by the Council. In view of the necessity o? further 5 extensions from time to time, Cr Marj tin at last meeting of the Borough ' Council gave notice of motion as follows: —"That a definite scheme of effective drainage for the whole of this Borough be prepared and that such scheme and a detailed plan and report thereof be prepared by the consulting engineer and submitted to this Council for adoption." Speaking to the motion on Monday evening, Cr Martin said it was abundantly evident that such a schema was necessary. There had been several extensions of late and doubtless more would be put in befora long. It was necessary in the interests of the town that a proper scheme should be laid down and all future extensions made in accordance therewith. Ha had been told by the consulting engineer th2t the engineer will produce a scheme and wait for payment until the money was raised to carry out the work. The expenditure would ba necessary some time and meanwhile the council would have a schema to work to. Another point was that certain portions of the borough might be called upon to drain and they could constitute special areas and raise the money for the purpose. By having a comprehensive scheme they be enabled to carry out the work in sections whic would constitute a portion of the general scheme.

Cr Somerviile seconded the motion. There was much to be Baid in favour of tho adoption of a general Bchame. If they went on doing the work piecemeal probably, much of what was being laid down would have to be pull ed up wh'sn a scheme-was adopted.

Cr Mabbett complimented Cr Somerviile on tiia conversion.

The Mayor Baid ha was sorry to have to cross swords with Cr Martin again, but he thought it would bo an unwise thing to pledge the Council to any schema which was to be carried out in years to come. The present Council would not hold office much longer, and if a drainage echeme was to be carried out the Council in existence at the time should have the privilege of deciding upon it.- There was no money available for any further extensions and any comprehensive schema could I not be carried out for several years. He considered the motion premature. They had no right to commit a future Council The coat of a general schema would probably be anything from £20,000 to £30,0,00 and when the time came ts undertake it the Council should have a fi-ep. hand in the matter.

Cr Martin, in reply, said he was sorry the Mayor had put his mailed fiat on the motion. He considered the matter urgent. The expenditure would be necessary some time and the Council would not be called upon to meet it till that time arrived. If the Council turned down tha motion ha thought the members would be doing something discreditable to their councillorehip. The motion on being put was loßt.