DRAINAGE MATTERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15142, 13 May 1911, Page 15

DRAINAGE MATTERS.

RETICULATION OF SUBDIVISIONS. At yesterday's adjournal mooting of tho Dunedin Drainago Board Mr J. Small made a statement concorninp; the amount of money necessary to finish tho drainago scheme. Applications were 'being; considered from thoso concerned in the subdivision of Suno'ta, llopctoun, Calton Hill, Ings' avenue, and Asquith street for tho provision of drainago facilities. Applications of this nature made before a certain date had been granted by the board. Mr Small pointed out that if this practice was to continue they would have to increase their borrowing powers, in view of tho great number of subdivisions that had lately been made and were still taking place. As it was, the board had now only £56,000 left to complete works which, at the lowest estimate, would cost £79,000, and these estimates dad not include provision for storm water or tho reorganisation of that part of the cifcy sewerage at present carned out on the combined instead of the separate system. The following table shows the list of works uncompleted or untcmchcd, the original estimate of their cost, and the probable amount needed to finish them. Tho progress made with each work now in hand is indicated by the two columns of figures:— Original Required to Estimate, finish. St Clair _ _ ...£3,818 £3.818 Caversham „ 8,366 8,012 Mornington 11,578 7,708 Newington 4.472 350 Woodhaugh and Dalmore 6,716 3,358 North-Bast Valley ... 16,145 14,145 Flat ... - 28,200 City Drainage — 12,000 Continuous pumping 1,600 1,472 Total £79,063 The board's borrowing powers are limited tp £400,000, and up to dato all this sum except £56,000 has been expended. The money required to complete the scheme being (as shown) £79,000, the board will require another £25,000 _ to finish the scheme so far as providing sewerage is conoerned. Mr Small therefore contended that there was no chance for the board to provide reticulation for new subdivisions. He also mentioned that had it not boon for board having to provide for outlying districts its annual needs would have been met by a 9d rate. The report of tho Works Committee recommending that the applications to sewer the subdivision beforcmcntioned be declined, was adopted. Ihe authority under which the board imposes tho liability of reticulating subdivisions on the ownor is contained in " Tho Public Works Act, 1908." Section 116 Bay 6: Where the owner of any land sells any part thereof he shall (unless such part has a frontage to an existing road, street. n<private street) provide and dedicate as a publio road or street a. strip s of land of not less than 66ft in width giving atcess to such part. . . . The owner shall form the road or street so dedicated to tho borough or town district, if so required by the local authority, metal the road or street, or any required portion thereof to the satisfaction of the local authority, and shall also construct in connection therewith such drains and footpaths as mav be agreed upon between tho owner and the local authority."