THE DRAINAGE BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13516, 13 February 1906, Page 3

THE DRAINAGE BOARD.

TO THE EDITOR. . Sir,—The lengthy and mystifying report presented to tho board by its engineer at ifs last meeting is one of the toughest pieces of literature tho members of it have had to masticate since tho battles of Tomahawk and Lawyer's Head. If Mr Anders/pn' could only strike a Bonanza gold mine in some of his sewers he might then ask the-'ratepayers to carry out his proposal to honeycomb the drainage area with piper and; sewers regardless of cost. I am somewhat disappointed with the report as no mention'was mado of the shiploads of Tasmaniari timber that were for supporting the sidos of tho 20ft deep excavations, most of which are doublesheathed, and of the amount of money paid. Was it ever intended in the original scheme'and estimate;to'use and bury the stacks of timber to be seen lying alongside tho excavations ? Or was the " box-ing-up" an after Consideration to relieve tho pressure on tho sides of the octagonshaped concrete pipes, the thickness of which varies from 3in to 6in? Tho scheme to connect Maclaggan street with the Cumberland street main' sewor by way of Water street, up: High street, then to burrow through underneath the Arcade, seems to mo to be opon to criticism. If the engineer knew the nature of the ground as well as I do he would think twice before suggesting such a proposal. If anyone tenders for tho work it will be at such a price as will lead to a recommendation to carry the work out under day labour, and tho effect of that would be that the board would probably not know the cost until (he final adjustment was made.—l am, -etc., Aliany February 10.