PROGRESS OF WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23029, 5 May 1938, Page 18

PROGRESS OF WORK

BOARD'S LAST MEETING NORTH SHORE PROBLEM TRIBUTE TO CHAIRMAN Satisfaction at the stage reached in connection with the comprehensive scheme for the drainage of Auckland was expressed by tho chairman, Sir Ernest Davis, at the meeting of the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board yesterday, this being the last meeting of the present board. Ho rei ferred to the excellent services of the members of tho board, and said that , while the decision to press for the inauguration of tho scheme had placed a heavy strain upon both the engineer, Mr. H. H. Watkins, and himself, during the past three years, he did not begrudge the efforts to bring the issue to the successful conclusion that was now in sight. Sir Ernest stated that the draft bill providing for the authority and machinery to proceed with tho scheme of drainage for the southern area was now ready and would bo presented to Parliament during tho coming session. Ho felt confident that the bill would be passed, "I am satisfied that, in so far as it lies within the undemanding of experts engaged in the field of sanitary engineering, nothing has been left to chance in the determination of this far-reaching question, and that the board may anticipate a satisfactory result, if the scheme be authorised by legislation and ultimately completed in accordance with the proposals adopted," added Sir Ernest. "Wo may now definitely regard tho general design of tho scheme as being 'fool-proof' in every respect." Financial Position _ Dealing with tho ordinary activities of the board, the chairman said the whole of the main drainage system had been well and efficiently maintained, and extensions of the system had been provided from time to time, to meet the requirements of newlv-dcvclopcd areas in tho drainage district. Additional works were proceeded with during the three years, at a total cost of £57,470, in respect of which the board had collected subsidies from tho Government Employment Promotion Fund, amounting to £18.588. It would be realised, therefore, that the board had provided a considerable amount of employment in tho period under review. The total capital expenditure incurred by the board as at March 31, 1938, was £576,712, and the public debt of the board was £530,443, the total amount of sinking funds being £55,468. In a draft statement of receipts, expenditure and balances in ' the board's accounts for the financial year ended March 31, 1938, it was shown that there was a credit balance of £3692 in No. 1 Account, Trust Fund, and a surplus of £1572 in No. 2 Account,' General Fund. Harbour Pollution A reference to pollution of the harbour by sewage discharged at North Shore outfalls was made by the engineer, Mr. H. H. Watkins, in a report. The commission of inquiry had stated in its- report that in its view the benefits of the Brown's Island scheme would to a very considerable extent bo rendered hugatory if crude sewage continued to be discharged from the North Shore boroughs into the harbour and Rangitoto Channel, and Mr. Watkins was requested by tho board to report on these comments. Ho said thero were six outlets on the northern shore, three of them discharging septic tank effluent and the others crude sewage. The most unsatisfactory outfall in this group was' the Devonport outfall at North Head. In his original report he had stated that it was not unreasonable to assume tliat the presence of sewage in the Waiteinata Harbour, which was discharged from this outfall, had been the actual cause of many complaints attributed to the Orakei outfall. It had also been stated in a further report that the present outfalls in .the northern area would continue to pollute the metropolitan tidal waters and encourage criticism that the Brown's Island scheme had failed in its objective, and so militate against the future inclusion of the northern area within the proposed drainage district. This was generally considered to be an ultimate necessity, notwithstanding that the proposed main drainage system for the northern area was independent of that designed and adopted for the city side. Mr. Watkins added that it was his considered opinion that tho proper solution of the sewage disposal problem of the metropolitan district was dependent upon the adoption of complete unification of control of the discharge of sewage, as recommended in his original report. The engineer's report was referred to the incoming board. Services Appreciated

The chairman was congratulated by the board on the success of his efforts during the three years of office. The ! Mayor of Mount Albert, Mr. H. A. Anderson, moved that tho board place on record its appreciation of the services of Sir Ernest, with particular reference to his work in the inauguration of the major drainage scheme. Mr. Anderson said the chairman was to bo congratulated upon the largo amount of study he had given to tho proposals to ensure that the right action was taken. The motion was seconded by Miss E. Melville, who saicj the decision to put the scheme in hand had been taken after years of research and investigation. The tact and experience of the chairman had contributed to the removal of difficult obstacles, and the large majority of the citizens were completely satisfied . with the decision made.

The motion was carried with apilause.