DRAINAGE LOAN

Southland Times, Issue 20537, 13 July 1928, Page 8

DRAINAGE LOAN

. AMALGAMATED AREA PROPOSED SEWERAGE WORK DR. WATT CONFERS WITH COUNCIL Some months ago the Invercargill Borough Council made application to the Board of Health for a requisition under Section 22 of the Health Act, 1920, requiring the Borough Council to provide certain water and drainage works in South Invercargill at an estimated cost of £45,688, and in addition certain repair work at the outfall of the borough drainage system, at an estimated cost of £3270. Section 24 of the Health Act provides that money for works so required may be raised without a poll of the ratepayers. The matter was considered by the Board of Health at the time, but was held over pending an estimate of the cost being received. Late in June a further meeting was held, and at the instigation of the Mayor (Mr John Miller), who strongly urged the necessity of authorizing the loan in order that unemployment might be relieved, the board went thoroughly into the several matters relative to the requisition and decided to send Dr. M. H. Watt, Deputy Director-General of Health, to Invercargill to make a full inquiry into the situation with instructions to report to a committee of the Board of Health. Dr. Watt met borough officers yesterday and discussed the position thoroughly. There were present at the conference his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller), Mr C. S. Longuet (Borough solicitor), Mr E. A. Gumbley (Borough engineer), Mr Blakeley (Health Inspector), and Mr C. L. Grange (Town Clerk). Dr. Watt outlined the purpose of the conference and stated that the Board of Health had advertised the conference, inviting persons to state their views on the matters referred to. No one had come forward to give evidence, but a letter had been received from one ratepayer. Dr. Watt decided to proceed with the hearing of evidence. Mr Longuet explained the advisability of avoiding a poll on the question. There was the danger, if a poll were submitted, that it might not be carried. They were, however, seeking the doctor’s recommendation whether the drainage was required as directed by the Board of Health, and if not it was in his hands to advise them. In answer to questions by Dr. Watt Mr Longuet stated that if a poll were taken, the ratepayers of the whole borough would be asked to vote. An even rate appeared to be the fairest proposal and for sewerage purposes the one vote would be taken over the whole town. The cost of a poll would be over £4OO. There was little likelihood of a poll being taken in the near future. The amalgamated area embraced 220 acres and 34L houses, and a population of 1500 persons was affected. Mr Gumbley stated that there was at present no public water supply in the area. The water was stored in tanks, and there were a few shallow wells which were very unsatisfactory. The area was not sewered. It was served with storm-water drainage here and there, but not regularly. There was only about a quarter of the area so provided. The estimated cost of sewerage was £28,484. This did not include stormwater. Dr. Watt (to Mr Gumbley) : Have you made any provision for storm-water drainage? Mr Gumbley: No. This drainage is designed on the separate system and no provision is made for storm water. Continuing, Mr. Gumbly said he considered that the storm water drainage wan not as urgent as soil sewage. The scheme was designed and estimated for in a very short space of time—under a fortnight—whereas the survey of a storm water sewerage system would take two or three months work and could not have yet been ready. He did not consider there was any urgent necessity for storm water, there being a good natural drainage over most of the amalgamated portion. In answer to the Mayor Mr. Gumbly said there was sufficient money to do the sewerage. The water reticulation was estimated to cost £17,000. Dr. Watt: Is there much surface water lying about the area? Mr. Blakeley: There is a fair amount of water lying about, but I would not say I saw anything that would constitute a menace to health. I don’t know of any ills through the water. During the past, few weeks there has been an abnormal rainfall. Further questioning elicited the information that there was no urgent need for storm water drainage. The storm water at present flowed into Kingswell creek and through to the estuary. Discussing the septic tanks which dispose of Invercargill’s sewage, Dr. Watt ask ed Mr. Gumbley if ever the tanks were cleaned out. Mr. Gumbley: They have been cleaned out lately for the first time. The Mayor (to Mr. Gumbley). The first time since you’ve been here. Mr. Gumbley: No, the first time they have ever been thoroughly cleaned out. Dr. Watt: In how long a time is that? Mr. Gumbley: In 14 years. Dr. Watt: Well, they would be pretty well full of sludge? Mr. Blakeley: The habit of the past has been to remove a few loads and let the tanks go on working again. The extra 45,000 gallons of sewage which would accrue with the proposed drainage could be disposed of. There were no engineering difficulties. The falls were all right. Two streets, however could not be dealt with by gravity. A sum of £l5OO would cover these streets.

After further evidence of a technical nature was given Mr. Gumbley outlined his proposal. He stated that he proposed to erect small concrete piers to carry down to the gravel in the estuary. There would be necessary 40 chains of pipes on beams. This would enable discharge into the estuary below the tide level. The channel was about three to four chains wide and at that point in the estuary low tide would be between four to five feet deep. It was both Mr. Gumbley’s and Mr. Blakeley’s opinion that the septic tanks at present in use would cope with another 45,000 gallons of sewage daily, provided the tanks were cleaned out periodically and the outlet pipe improved. Approximately £52,000 was the estimate made up as follows: —Water reticulation £18,700; sewerage £29,984; new outfall from septic tanks £327o—total £51,954. After the sitting the party visited the septic tanks, which were found in good order, and traversed the whole of the amalgamated area. Dr. Watt will now report to the committee which has power to act on receipt of his report.