KAIKORAI DRAINAGE SCHEME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13835, 23 February 1907, Page 12

KAIKORAI DRAINAGE SCHEME.

A meeting of delegates from local bodies interested in carrying out tho Kaikorai drainage scheme was held in the Town Hall last night. Those present were Messrs A. Matheson (Deputy Mayor) and C. Wedge (clerk), Roslyn; . S. N. Brown (Mayor) and Cr Buttenvorth, Maori Hill; Geddes (Mayor) and Thomson (clerk), Green Island;. Crs Henderson and Clarke Morningtori:

•At the request of the Chairman Mr John MacGrogor explained that the published account of the bill prepared by the Taieri County Council was merely a sketch of the proposed measure. He did not know whethor its provisions were inimical to the interests of the several local bodies interested in the drainage scheme. On that question they could form their own conclusions. No doubt the bill as a whole, and not a synopsis of it, would be submitted to the five local bodies concerned. The Taieri County Council,, because it was gazetted as a body having interests in tho Knikorai drainage scheme, had taken action without.' consulting other local bodies concerned, and' what those interested had to consider was how they were to get a feasible scheme to carry out the drainage works; but that would not justify other local_ bodies in talcing up an antagonistic position to the bill. After the result of tho present meeting was known the Taieri County Council would probably adopt the proper course of submitting its scheme to the other local bodies. Oup thing was certain, that if it should refuse to do so its bill would not be allowed to pass, because one of the first questions that would _be asked by the Parliamentary Committee wa6, Have the other local bodies interested .in the drainage scheme been consulted as to the provisions of the bill? At present, however, having onlv, a synopsis of the bill before them, tney w'ere groping in tho dark.

Cr Henderson said he had seen the bill prepared by the Taieri County Council, and had advised that body to have copies printed and distributed to the local bodies interested.

A letter which had been received from the Taieri County Council was then read. The' letter was dated the 216t inst., and acknowledged an invitation to attend the meeting on the 22nd inst,, and in reply said that as the council had withdrawn from the committee the attendance of delegates would be unofficial. , The council had prepared a bill for presentation to Parliament during the coming session which, it was trusted, would receive the approval of tho various local bodice con-

cerned. Copies were being printed, and would be .forwarded to the different local bodies in the course of a few'weeks,, and the council would bo glad to receive suggestions on same.

The Chairman said thoy had merely a synapsis of the bill to guido them, anil it was a question whether it was worth while saying anything more about it until the entire bill vvas in their hands.

Mr Brown coincided with the chairman's view.

Mi' MacGregor said that nothing was to lw gained by discussing his letter at- ft at time seeing that the -bill was being drafted and had not eome before them, . After further discussion it was resolved to discuss Messrs Duncan and MacGregor's letter, which was as follows: —

Referring to tho questions submitted to us relating to tho proposed drainage and sewerage scheme for the Kaikorai Valley, we reply as follows:—The fact that the Taieri County Council has been gazetted under Hie provisions • of section 62 of " The Pubiio Health Act, 1900," as. ane of the several local authorities concerned, to liavo control of tha Kaikorai Stream, docs not in aay way affectthe position or powers of tho County Council with regard to any such scheme as that proposed: that council remams simply one of several local authorities concerned, none of which has ray more right than the othera to take action in the matter, and whatever measures or© taken to - obtain legislation should be taken by or at tlio instance of all, or, at anyroto, of a majority of those local authorities. As to the question of " probable opposition to an ocean outfall near the mouth of the Kaikorai Stream,' wo would suggest that before any further expense is incurred the proposal should be submitted to tho Marine Department; we cannot believe that any serious difficulty need bo feared from that quarter. As to compensation _ for wayleaves, the provisions of the Public AVo'rlu Aot would apply, and as tho main sewer would be covcred tho compensation would not be very serious. As to riparian rights, no difficulty is likely to ariso, as a scheme such as that suggeEted would not interfere with riparian rights. If a bill is to be introduced this session there should be no delay, as the measure would bo a local bill, and notice of it would require to a month before it is introduced. AVitli a view to simplifying the schema as much as possible, we would suggest that the board should not be elective, but should consist of ineinbors appointed by the looal authorities concerned, and that the board's powers should be limited to the construction, maintenance, and control of tho main sewetr. Tho letter was received formally, and the clauses considered seriatim. The meeting was then adjourned until copies of the bill promulgated by tho Taieri County Council were submitted to them.