DELAUTOUR ROAD DRAIN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14354, 20 July 1917, Page 4

DELAUTOUR ROAD DRAIN.

DISTRICT ENGINEER'S REPORT. The report of the District Engineer, Mr. C E. Armstrong, : upon the problem oi the deLautour road drainage, a matter affecting a considerable portion of Kaiti, was received by tlie Cook County Council to-day.— ln dealing exhaustively with Hie yuestion.. the District Engineer states that it" it were not for the silt and rubble ■menace, 'be would adopt a nearly straight cut, joining the watercourse near Mr. Thomas's house. As, however, the fall on the first portion was great, thei rusn of Hood waters along the steep gradient would attain a great velocity, and lieing heavily charged with solid matter, would, on reaching the lesser grade, bank up, block, and cause considerable deposit of rubble. To meet the requirements he could suggest nothing better than a concrete-lined conduit, giving all Ihe available fall, and taken by the shortest possible route. If this was done there need be no fear regarding the silt menace. As they were compelled to resort to the flume principle it was advisable that the shortest and most direct course should be adopted, and this lies through sections shown on plan, the discharge being Into a gully joining the Watmata river lower' down. The Council would require to complete* negotiations with private owners for permission to adopt \ this scheme before entering upon the works, and it would be necessary to arrange for the purchase of a strip of land, say one chain wide, along the line ol drain. The difficulty of conveying the water from the outfall at the .bottom of the gully would have to be provided, otherwise* -a scour would be set up. This difficulty could be met by putting m a, water-cushion. . Silt, laden water pouring into this; gully might be considered, objectionable, but it. was not likely to do any_. damage beyond depositing a certain amount of rubble and silt. He estimated the totals cost of the work at £21 7 18s, as follows: Fencing and gates £50, excavation £487 10s, concrete £1380, steel £4 ' j-js, timber and working £*26, platform bridges itso, contingencies £50. The Chairmaii pointed out that thd question .affected the borough, and he asked if the borough should not conic m as it, was a matter of, a loan. He suggested, that the question should stand over until Cr. Parker (representative of the riding) returned. After some discussion it was decided to advertise calling a meeting of all interested on Cr. Parker's -return. The clerk, m reply to tho Chairman, said the borough property affected could be included m a loan with the consent of the Borough Council.