THE ANNUAL COSTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22240, 15 October 1935, Page 11

THE ANNUAL COSTS

ALTERNATIVE SCHEMES ENGINEERS ESTIMATE EITFECT ON CITY RATES* Approximate estimates of the annual charges which would have to be imposed on the local authorities of the Auckland isthmus to meet the cost of the various comprehensive drainage schemes described in the recent report of the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board's engineer, Mr. H. H. Watkins, were presented to the board last night by the engineer in a supplementary report,. They were as follows :

BHOWN'S ISLAND SCHEME First instalment, to provide for average dry weather How at Orakci outfall from the existing drainage district.—Total cost, £325,000; interest at 5 per cent and sinking fund, £16,250; administration, operation and maintenance, £7300; total annual charges, £23,550. First instalment, if subsidised.— £255,000, £12,750, £7300, £20,050. First and second instalments, to provide for total flow at Orakei outfall.—£s2o,ooo, £26,000, £8750, £34,750. First and second instalments, if subsidised.—£4oo,ooo, £20,000. £8750, £28,750. First, second and third instalments, to provide for entire southern area of enlarged district, and for Westfield trade wastes:. —£920,000, £46,000, £IO,OOO, £56,000. First, second a:ad third instalments, if sübsidised. £IO,OOO, £47,250. "WEST COAST SCHEME First instalment, to provide for southern, area of enlarged district, together with New Lynn, and for Westneld trade wastes.—£l,4so,ooo, £72,500, £9250, £81,750. First instalment, if subsidised.— £1,275,000, £63,750, £9250. £73,000. Single Hating- Area The report also contained very approximate estimates of the charges upon the individual local authorities concerned, on the basis of their respective capital rateable values as at March 31, 1934. Mr. Watkins stated that so far as the enlarged drainage district was concerned, tho allocation had been made on the assumption that the present district and the new area would be treated as a single rating area. The estimates for administration, operation" and maintenance were additional to the annual charges at present being levied by the Drainage Board.

The cost of pumping and treating the Westfield trade wastes had not been included, as it was assumed it would be charged proportionately upon the proprietors of the industrial plants, who might possibly also be asked to contribute toward the capital cost of the works. A Subsidy Assured The chairman, Mr. Ernest Davis, remarked that the estimates of cost without subsidy need not bo regarded for practical purposes, as a subsidy was assured. With regard to the first instalment of the Brown's Island scheme, dealing only with the dry-weather flow at Orakei, he was advised that if the additional flow in wet weather were carried by the prenent outfall it would be almost unnoticoable, ctvin;; to dilution.

So far as Auckland City was concerned, said Mr. Davis, the Drainage Board's present levy represented a rate of 23d in "the pound. The four subsidised rachemes detailed in the report would, on Mr. Watkins' figures, increase the rate by lsd, 2jd, 3Jd and 5 l-8d respectively, making totals respectively of 4Jd, (3d, 6Jd and 7 7-Bd. He was unable to say what would be the additions to the rates of the other local bodies; they must work out the figures for themselves.

THE WESTERN SUBURBS ' ATTITUDE TOWARD SCHEME The question bf drainage was discussed by the New Lynn Borough Council last night, the Mayor, Mr. G. LawEon, who is chairman of the Western Suburbs Local Bodies' Association, referring to a conference of the bodies concerned to be held on October 23,. when a policy is to be decider! upon

Mr. Lawson said the scheme at New Lvnn was undoubtedly the best working in the metropolitan area. No heavy capital expenditure could be faced at the present time, but eventually New Lynn would come into the comprehensive scheme, provided ti'iat it offered a permanent solution of tho problem. Tho Manukau Heads scheme was favoured as it was felt that the matter should be dealt with once and for all. Th? system in operation at New Lynn was so designed that it could take in Glen Eden, Henderson and part of Titirangi and the effluent was discharged into tho Mannkau without any nuisance being caused.