AUCKLAND'S DRAINAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22205, 4 September 1935, Page 15

AUCKLAND'S DRAINAGE

Sir,—"John Citizen's" letter in Monday's Herald is a very fair and moderate statement of some of the objections to the proposed sewage-disposal scheme for the Auckland Isthmus. It is now freely admitted 'that the locating of the outfall at Orakei was without nsion and amounted to a grave error of judgment. A great deal has happened since then and it may well be than tho presiertt proposals will in a few years be found similarly to have been lacking in vision. The Mayor has ghown very .commendable determination in insisting that the Orakei plague spot shall be rumored. But considering, the growth of the city since tho outfall was centred at Orakei Brown's Island may shortly be little wore remote than wasi Orakei in those days. His Worship has secured delay in reaching; <i decision on the present proposals in order to afford an opportunity for clnse study of the problems involved by all the local bodies concerned.. The whole question of the city's drainage has now become one of such great importance that still further delay may be justified in order that tine alternatives to the present proposals may be more fully explored. Th*ii engineer has already teen abroad on a tour of investigation, but he would probably be glad to havo assistance in a task which involves so hiiiary Ji responsibility. The position is sufficiently grava to justify the Drainage Board in inviting an overseas export to advise on Auckland's peculiar problems in the way of sewage dispossil and ib is to be hoped that tho Draiinage Board will consider whether such a course should not be adopted. In any scheme adopted there will be great expenditure of public money, but it is very necessary that th 6 public should be satisfied that there are no economic alternatives to the proposals now under consideration. L. N. Jacka.