LAKE ST. JOHN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 15

LAKE ST. JOHN.

WORK OF DRAINAGE BOARD.

TRANSFER TO CITY DESIRED.

THE SCHEME OF IMPROVEMENT.

The proposal of the Auckland City Council to make an attractive lake of Lake St. John and to provide a road round it draws attention to the operations of the Waiatarua Drainage Board, which has been in existence for over 20 years. The election of the five trustees of the board will be held on Friday, November 16, nominations closing on November 5. The first recorded meeting of the board was held in 1903. It was several years before drainage work was carried out. A sum of £SOOO was borrowed from the Public Trustee, and a tunnel was driven through from the lake to a point near Meadowbank Road, tho outlet being into Orakei Creek. Just outside the lake edge a well was provided several feet deeper than the lake itself, so that it is possible without groat difficulty to drain all the water from the lake. After construction of the tunnel, heavy rainfall caused a slip which completely filled the cut. Money was then borrowed from the Bank of New Zealand on the personal guarantee of some of the trustees, and the tunnel was cleared and cemented, It was then found that money could not bo borrowed to pay an antecedent debt and the Government came to the rescue, passing a clause in the Washing-up Bill validating a further loan of £3500 from tlio Public Trustoo. Onehunga Water Supply. While it is held to be impossible to gauge whether the lake water has any bearing upon the Onehunga water supply, engineers are all of opinion that a lake of some sizo, approximately about 30 acres, must be in tho basin for all time. Otherwise, it is stated, the land would be flooding continuously in view of the large catchment area. In a letter to the Onehunga Borough Council, the board has stated tho present intention is to drain tho water off temporarily so that the surrounding land may be able to solidify, and during that time it is proposed to prepare a permanent edging to the new and smaller lake. A uniform depth will then be provided, sufficient to deep down weeds. Tho intention is to provide a lake which can be approached by the public to the edge and will be a real beauty spot.

Tho City Council is at .present negotiating with the Government for a loan which would cover work, on a relief basis, for improvements at the area, and provision of a 100 ft. road round the lake. An area of 100 acres was vested in the council by Mr. R. IT. Abbott, and one of the provisions was that the road should be constructed by 1931. The board has offered £IOO for two years as a help for the work. Rating in tho District.

Being of opinion the City Council could more easily collect its rates, the board is endeavouring to persuade tho council to take over its duties. The board's area amounts to about 800 acres, about £670 lining collected in rates last year. Only one-third of the original rate struck is collected, being 3d on land receiving direct benefit, 1 l-3d on land -receiving less direct benefit, and 2-3 d on land receiving indirect benefit, instead of the original 9d. 4d and 2d struck. About 1955 or earlier tho loans will be liquidated and tho board's duties will cease. The present trustees of the board are:— Messrs. R. T. Michaels (chairman), C. 11. Abbott. W. .1. Crowther, S. G. Chambers and Archdeacon W. J. Simkin. Archdeacon Simkin is not; seeking re-election.