THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14984, 4 May 1912, Page 5

THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM.

NO TIME BEING LOST.

REASONS FOR NOT HURRYING.

The fact that the Auckland and suburban drainage scheme will not be finished until 1915, according to the statement of the city engineer (Mr. W. E. Bush), published in yesterday's Herald, would seem at first sight, to indicate that delays are talcing placc which might conceivably be avoided. With the view of ascertaining whether there was anything to prevent more speedy progress being made, Mr. Bush was further interviewed on the subject yesterday.

The city engineer pointed out that no unnecessary delay was taking place. The reason why the. completion of the drainage system was not anticipated earlier than the date named was that the work can only be done at a certain pace. "It is no good letting contracts beyond the capacity of the district," said Mr. Bush. " I refer to supplies of shingle and cement, and to labour. If we were to let too many contracts at the same time they would all go slowly." Asked to explain this statement, Mr. Bush said that material for these contracts can only bo delivered at a certain rate. Consequently, to multiply the number of contracts would only be to defeat the Drainage Board's object. At present no time was being lost. When a contract was within four or five months of being finished another was let, thus utilising tho supply of materials released and available by tho completion of the other contract.

" Last month," tho engineer added, " I certified contractors' accounts for the payment of £10,200. This means that work to the value of one-third beyond that amount was done. That is a very satisfactory rate of progress. What we have been aiming at, and have now attained, is the completion of £100,000 of the drainage work a year."