THE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 4983, 7 February 1877, Page 3

THE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

TO THE EDITOB OP THK LYTTELTON TIMES. Sib, —It is gratifying, to find that a good deal of interest is being awakened by the announcement that the drainage scheme of Mr Oarruthers has been adopted by the Board. Well may the ratepayers be aroused, when a large work involving great outlay seems likely to be entered upon,not only before thesobeme is perfected, but without reference to the cost. The debentures to the tune- of £100,000, 1 believe are already floated, and of course interest will shortly be hoard of. Any action for the conservation of our interests in the judicious spending of the money must bo taken at once, or it may bo too late. May we hope that public opinion will be so plainly expressed that some further consideration may be given to the plans before the commencement of the work. As to the plan itself, I regret to find that the water closet system is proposed 5 as, in the first place, it could only be adopted by a fractional part of the inhabitants on account of the expense, and what is more, the water required is not as yet available. More “ pumping ” for a high level seryioe would be needed. What with pumping stations for the dirty water, and pumping stations for the clean, a good deal of additional outlay will be annually included with the interest on the loan. 1 believe that the dry pan system could be so improved as to be made perfectly inoffensive, the least detrimental to health ofany plan, and decidedly the cheapest. With closets properly adapted, a differently constructed pan, and a well organised collection and replacement, all which could be easily secured if under the direction and charge of an active and intelligent inspector, this system would meet with general approval. The appliances should be provided and fitted by the Council or Drainage Board, who could do it cheaper than private individuals and secure a uniform plan, the cost being charged to the householder. The present cumbersome and filthy pans

should be replaced by others more suitable in shope and bulk (for better class dwellings an enamelled vessel would be desirable), and the contents emptied at the depdt among the sand hills in trenches. The soil dug from the second covering over the deposits in the first. No nuisance would arise from this plan. To make this dry pan system more perfect, builders should have their attention drawn to the propriety of providing facilities for easy access for tho nightmen, and I might suggest whether it would not be an improvement to erect the closets in more decent positions than they are sometimes found. In London, for the disposal of dry rubbish, such as cinders, vegetable refuse, &0,, a dust bin is provided to every house, which a contractor empties when desired by the occupier; a similar principle, though very imperfectly carried out, is in force here, but might be greatly improved upon. The liquids will have to be provided for by drainage. Now, I am of opinion that a thoroughly cleansed and well constructed open drain is much less likely to be prejudicial to health than the unseen sewer which may, and does often, retain pollutions for a longer time than is desirable. People often deplore the flatness of this Oity, but I have sometimes thought that peculiarity may be turned to beneficial account by ever reminding the inhabitants to remove their filth instead of leaving to natural falls to carry it away to lower levels, but which never do it efficiently. To effect subsoil drainage, pipes laid three or four feet below the ground would be necessary, and into these, at intersections say of alternate streets, gratings might be provided to receive some of the surface drainage from the existing side-chancels. There appears no difficulty in utilising these channels for house slops when the artesian water is allowed to flow and the sweeper is kept at work. This functionary is a most important one, and on him largely depends the successful use of the open channel. Possibly, a pump might be required at the entrance to the outfall drain. If the parallel storm-water drain was also provided with a brick or concrete invert, the water would have additional facility of escape, and accumulations at this point would not take place as now. One great advantage not yet referred to, as the result of the removal of the night soil to the sandhills, would be to save the estuary and mud flats from pollution, and the citizens from having to consider a second scheme in a few years time. Hoping that the Board will weigh well all the objections to their Engineer’s scheme before entering upon heavy expenditure, —I am, &0., J. P. JAMESON.