DUNEDIN DRAINAGE BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15692, 26 February 1913, Page 8

DUNEDIN DRAINAGE BOARD.

The regular meeting of the Dunedin Drainage Board, held last evening, was attended by Messrs J. Small (in the chair), W. T. M'Farlane, W. Farguharson, W. Burnett, J. J. Marlow, J. H. Hancock, and Dr Rilton. GEXERAL. Leave of absence was granted to Mr •Douglas for two. months. The reports of the Works and Finance Committees were adopted without discussion. The Executive Committee reported' having accepted the following tenders for drains-, in-common:— Pilkington street and Balmacewin road, W. Foster, £32 10s; Great Kinpstreet, W. Foster, £17 10s; George and Pitt streets. W. Foster, £38—The report was adopted. Temtets for three dTains-in-common, one taking in tho block in which the Grand Hotel is situate, wore referred to the_ executive to accept the lowest or mc6t eligible. KAIKORAI DBAINAGE. The Chairman introduced tho question of the drainage of the Kaikorai watershed. Mr Burnett said ho would like to knou what tho position of the board was in bh' matter. Etc understood that they were t<_. confino themselves to tho work bhe oitizens had elected them to do. The Chairman said they were, he thought, in duty bound to coiisider the 6dheuio placed before them, by the engineer. It did not follow because they considered tho scheme that they were going io adopt it. The matter would have to be considered in conjunction with other people interested ia tho scheme. Mr Burnett asked if they had power to deal with, the matter! No doubt Mr Slinger had shown a groat deal of energy and skill over the thing, and ho (Mr Burnett) thought the solieme was most excellent, ■ but the question was, had the board any power to take up a scheme of that sort. The Chairman: No; not without parliamentary authority. Mr" Marlow expressed the opinion that Mr Slinger's sdheme was first class, and ns far as he was concerned he would be quite .prepared to support it if it was possible to do so. But they must have a consultation with outeide bodies, and when they were in agreement would time enough for the boafd to get a legislative enactment giving tho board power to do the work. If tie work could be carried out he was certain, with his knowledge of tho soheme, that it would bo of great' benefit to the district. If it would not entail taking tho board's reserves the work should be done. Mr Hancock asked what other bodies were interested? . The Chairman: St. Kilda, Maori Hill, Mornington, and the city. Dr Fulton suggested the Taieri also. The Chairman said that only the councils that fonmed part of tho present Drainage Board could object. Mr Marlow said they must also meet in conference with the Taieri County Council. Tho Chairman : Yes, if wo rceolve to go on with the scheme. Mr Marlow thought the board should rather confer with Green Island, Taieri, and the two or three large manufacturers who would have to contribute, independently of rating, if the board wont on with tho scheme. .They need not ask St. Kilda, Mornington, and Maori Hill to discuss tho matter until a basis was fixed up with the others. If a basis was not fixed up with the ottos thero was no need to go to these local bodies. Mr Farquharson thought it would be well to postpone the whole matter to a speoial meeting. It was a Tory large question, and at tho meeting that night they could not, go into it exhaustively. He moved—"That consideration, of the question be postponed until a special meeting. Mr Burnett suggested that the parties interested should be asked to attend that meeting to hear Mr-Slingor's explanation of the scheme. Tho Chairman said the members of tho board should understand the subject thoroughly themselves before they o&lled in the other bodies. Tho people they must discuss it vtith, in the first instance, wero Green Island, the OhristchurrJi Meat Company. Kcrnpthorne, Proesor, and Co., and the City Council.

A Member: The City Council? The Chairman: They would come in in the event of our adopting the plan. Mr Farquharson's motion was adopted, and it was agreed to consider the report at a special meeting on Monday night.