THE RECENT FLOOD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1199, 22 February 1895, Page 31

THE RECENT FLOOD.

A deputation waited on the City Council last week from shopkeepers and property owners of Lambton quay who asked that immediate relief might be given to save their goods and property from such heavy and frequent loss as had been suffered on Sunday from storm-water. Mr A. Scoullar pointed out the frequency with which such floods as that of Sunday night occurred and the harm they did to shopkeepers in the quay. Since his firm's building had been erected, he said, "the crown of the street had been made lOin higher, and the floor of the building was now 4in below the crown, so that they were being placed in a worse position by every inch of metal that was spread on the road, besides which the drains were quite unable to carry off the storm-water. Since the recent storm he had had the floor of his firm's premises raised 6in. Not only were their goods damaged, but he was sure the fact of the places having been flooded depreciated the value of the property. During the nine years he had been in "Wellington he had lost .£IOOO by floods.

Mr G. B. Nicholls also said he had lost heavily by these floods. Mr D. Wighton said he thought it was shameful that the streets should be in. darkness on such a night as Sunday. The Corporation men also should have been at hand sooner. The Mayor said the deputation must hot lose sight of the fact that the storm was almost unprecedented. It was probable that however large the drains might have been they would have been inadequate. Mr Sooullar suggested that some of the Corporation workmen should live at the northern end of the city so that they might clear the gratings more quickly- t The Mayor said he saw one official clearing the grating at Bowen street at 7.45 6n Sunday night. Mr Wighton replied that that man was a Gear Company employee, and he added that not a single Corporation official turned up all that night. The deputation then withdrew. The Mayor moved, and it was seconded by Councillor Fraser, that the matter be> referred to the Public Works Committee. " Councillor Tatum said that such a question as this demanded their serious and immediate attention. He moved as an amendment that the City Surveyor should submit a report to the next meeting of tha Public Works Committee as to what was required to remedy the evil. Eventually the question was referred to the Public Works Committee.