DRAINAGE BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3655, 1 April 1924, Page 8

DRAINAGE BOARD.

The meeting of the Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage Board, held on Wednesday, was attended by the Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley) who presided, Crs Mitchell, Wilson, Begg, Taverner, Douglas, MacManus, Hancock, Shacklock, and Mr J. TV. Dove.

The first business was t' a hearing of objections to the council’s requirements in the matter of removing obstructions from the bed of the Leith.

Mr E. S. Olarke said he was appearing before them on a summons and he felt in a rather awkard position. He was there both as plaintiff and defendant. He thought he should have had more definite information as to why they had been Called upon to show cause why certain obstructions should not be removed from the Leith bed. Mr Lewin had courteously given him more information, and it seemed that someone on the council considered that part of an old pier of a footbridge leading to his son’s property was an obstruction. He did not see how that could be an obstruction. At a bridge higher up where the channel was narrower the council itself had a pier about four feet wide. Perhaps it was thought that the pier complained of would collect flotsam and debris at time of flood. He explained that a piece of timber had been put under the middle of the footbridge to keep it from swinging and sagging. Any flood would sweep this away. The Mayor (Mr Tapley) said Mr Clarke's objection would have every consideration. Mr Davidson, another objector, said he had just reinstated the intake which he understood was what was complained of. It was just at the same level as it was in 1873, but the bed of the river had been lowered there, and that made the intake look higher. In his ease the whole of his fluming intake and wheel and everything else would have to go if the weir had to moved. In answer to Cr Begg, Mr Davidson said he could not get the water and use his plant unless he had the weir as it was now. The Mayor said they would give the matter consideration and let Mr Davidson know the result.

On the motion of Cr Wilson the objections were referred to the Works Committee.

Cr Wilson moved the adoption of the Works Committee’s report.

Cr Mitchell asked if the drain through a portion of the Wooclh a ugh Gardens was only necessitated by the bowling green, and why the drain was so large? Cr Wilson said the drain had been recently laid down to take the whole of the water from the Bullock track. It was this water that had caused nearly all the trouble at the George street end at the flood time. The old drain was in a very bad condition" and this new drain would take all the overflow in time of flood.

The report was adopted. .Cr Taverner moved the adoption of the Finance Committee’s report, which was adopted without discussion.

The tender of Charles Glasson of £3B 7s for the construction of a drain-in-common in Gillies street was accepted.

A formal resolution making a special rate as security for the flood damage loan of £16,000 was adopted without comment.