SEWERS WANTED

Southland Times, Issue 17003, 29 March 1912, Page 5

SEWERS WANTED

TO-DAY’S VO UL. IMPORTANT PROGRESSIVE MOVE MENT. To-day, the ratepayers of the inaef area of Invercargill will be asked to express their opinion on a question which is a most Important one to the progress of the town. For years it has been felt by those who have the welfare of the place at heart that an up-to-date system of sewerage is essential" to the progress of the town. It is a well-known fact that in other countries, particularly Canada, Australia, and United States, the first municipal work undertaken is the installation of waterworks and sewerage systems, and it has been said by many that for the size of the town, Invercargill is backward in not having entered upon the scheme before. However, the proposal before the ratepayers to-day is for the establishment of a modern sewerage system for the more congested part of the town, bounded on the north by Gala street, on the east by Deveron street, on the south by Forth street, and on the west by the New River Estuary. The work is to cost £31,000, and whether this sum Is to ba borrowed or not is the question before the ratepayers. When the inner area has been served, the system will be enlarged to take in the residential part of the town. As matters now stand, the conveniences at the large business places and hotels are not by any means In a sanitary condition, and cannot possibly be so until an underground drainage system has been established. This is the reason for the Inner area being taken first. The proposal is that the sewerage shall be concentrated at a point behind the gasworks, and be led into the big septic tank at Kew. From there the inoffensive outflow will enter a specially constructed cast-iron main and will then be carried into the estuary. The Town Engineer (Mr G. Clapcott) has designed the scheme as economically as possible; but, at the same time, he has made pro. vision for a thoroughly efficient system .which will do a great deal towards improving the town. The rate to be fixed to pay for the loan is T&d in the £ on the annual value to let—not on the unimproved value—and this amount is arrived at by taking 8 per cent, of the capital value of the property. This rate is small when the advantages of such a necessary sewerage system as Is proposed are borne in mind. Of course, the present charge for the night-soil removal will be removed if the proposal is carried. The poll will open at 8 a-m., and wl! close at 7 p.m., and the polling boot will be at the Town Hall. It is hopt that there will be a large poll, so th» the voting will represent the opinion t an many ratepayers as possible.