THE COLONIST. Published Daily—Morning. Nelson, Friday, May 29, 1903. CITY DRAINAGE.

Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10730, 29 May 1903, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Published Daily—Morning. Nelson, Friday, May 29, 1903. CITY DRAINAGE.

A special meeting of the City Council is to be held this evening for the purpose of considering the question of drainage. Three reports have been obtained, one from Mr JVEestayer, another from Mr Leslie Reynolds, and a third from Mr Cutler. 1 :The report from the last named gentleman deals very largely with Mr Mestayer's scheme, and suggests certain alterations, and therein Mr Cutler said: "I would suggest that -a copy of this report be forwarded to Mr Mestayer, as I feel confident that the proposed modications will meet with his approval." A copy was sent, but from Mr Mestayer's reply, which was published in yesterday morning-'s paper, it is clear that he by no means does approve. It is, we think, to be regretted that Mr Cutler was not asked to consider Mr Leslie Keynolds' scheme, as well as Mr Mestayer's but apparently, Mr Cutler is in perfect ignorance of the proposals oft Mr Leslie Reynolds, though his report favors to a very great eitent the scheme suggested by that gentleman. It would also,^ we think, have been "well had Mr Cutler been . asked whether it would not be a safe thing, under existing conditions, and till the' city is better able to meet the cost of .a complete system, to merely lay separate drains for sewage — as suggested in all the schemes—^with cast-iron pipes into deep water, gravitation being depended on with frequent flushing. Of course, such a method would not be perfect, but it would be a very great impovement on present conditions, and would avoid the heavy annual cost, which some of the schemes before the people will entail, and T which "cost may possibly endanger the acceptancce by the ratepayers of these schemes, however good they may appear to be. We are led to suggest that such an opinion might even now be asked by a passage in Mr Cutler's report, wherein he says: "Under ordinary circumstances, I would not hesitate to condemn such a method Df discharging crude effluent from a leptic tank into the harbor without ELrst passing it throngh properly designed filters, but the conditions of Nelson Harbor are not what can be regarded -a 3 ordinary, and taking irito jonsideration the large rise and fall >f the tide, the gravel bottom, and ihe fact that the Maitai river flows >ast the point of discharge, I am of. ipinioQ no nuisance would arise, '

Mr Leslie Reynolds, in his report,, estimating the sewerage from a population of 12,500 at 25, 000 cubic feet of water« calculates the sewage entering deep water in three hours as one cubic foot to 36,000 cubic feet. On that basis the sewage in 12 hours would be equal to one cubic foot to 9,000 cubic feet. The question we should like answered by experts is, would that quantity be dangerous, or even a nuisance, for if not it would appear that a simpler and cheaper .plan might be made to serve for the present. We do not envy the task of the Councilors if they elect to make selection themselves between the rival experts. Mr Mestayer's scheme provides for the laying of pipe sewers for household drainage, &c, but not for rain water. Some of these pipe sewers, those draining the lower part of the town, will be at a lower level than the open septic tank to which he proposes to pump the sewerage from the low levels— that from the high levels will flow into same by gravitation. He proposes to confine the sewage in this tank for bout 24 hours, and to allow the effluent to flow into the harbor. The cost of his scheme is put down at about £49,000, while the annual cost for pumping, &c , appears to have been put down at about £500. Thus, interest and working charges were, estimated to require a special rate of j tenpence in the pound. Mr Leslie Reynolds' scheme proposed similar pipe sewers, and he says that those in the lowlying parts j of the town, including the Wood, i would be too low to allow the sewage to flow by gravitation, but he proposed automatic lifts obtaining their power from the Maitai river to raise the sewage into a closely-sealed septic tank near the outlet of, the Maitai — into which the sewage from the higher levels would flow— and to let the effluent flow through cast-iron i pipes discharging into deep water in the line of the proposed new channel. He also proposed, an alternative scheme by tunnelling through the Port hills. He placed the cost of his first scheme at £42,756 reducable to £39,321 by omitting certain streets in the outskirts, and that of his second at £47,000, reducable in like manner to £44,465. The annual charge for working under this scheme would, apparently, be very small. Mr Cutler, apparently, does not think that any nuisance would be experienced were Mr Mestayer's scheme carried out, but he says the effluent from the tank may be disposed of in such a way as to state absolutely that no nuisance can arise. His idea is that the septic tank, as proposed by Mr Mestayer, might be placed near the town, and that if roofed with substantial concrete covering and three feefc of soil placed over same, so as tp entirely bury the tank, there can be no objection to its erection at the site now proposed. The effluent from this tank he proposes to carry by cast iron pipes— as Mr Leslie Reynolds proposed— to a balancing tank, from which it would be discharged at the same point, apparently, as Mr Reynolds proposed. His estimate of the annual cost of working is, however, much higher than Mr Mestayer's, and amounts to some £1200 a year, and this, with interest on the capital cost, about £50,000, would need a special rate of Is 4d in the pound. The necessity of improving existing methods is urgent, but Councilors will do well to bear in mind that there are. likely to be many citizens who will decline to assent to a proposal by which they will be very heavily taxed.

The Collector of Customs. — A petition with forty-five signatures representing the importers of this district has been forwarded to the Minister in charge of the Department praying that Mr Wilson Heaps may be retained as Collector of Customs for this Port. Musical Recital, Presbyterian Church. — The programme; published in another column, for the musical recital to be given in the Presbyterian Church this evening is a particularly attractive one, and should ensure a large attendance, and we are convinced that the cantata "Harvest Praise" will be greatly appreciated. We are asked to mention that those who' have not secured tickets may purchase same at the gate. Waimea Rifles. —An inspection parade of this corps will be held at Spring Grove on Monday next, and on Wednesday next an election for Lieutenant will take place at Richmond. Oddfellows' Ball,-— A meeting o the Committee will be held thii evening, when business of import ance will be transacted. Wakatu Mounted Rifles. — To morrow a match will be fired^ for Mi Ererett's trophy; range 500 yards, 10 shots. Acclimatisation Society. — Tht annual general meeting of this Society will be held at the Courthouse this evening. Coal Trade.— Last week twentyone steamers visited Westport, and took away fourtoen thousand three hundred and twenty-five tons of coal. Education Board Election. — We learn that the Rev. J. H, MacKenzie will be a candidate for a seat on the Education Board at the forthcoming election. Military Review and Sports. — The entries Jin connection with the above sports were to have closed last evening, but in order to make them as successful as possible further entries will be received up to eight D'clock on Saturday evening, at the Farmers' Club rooms for the|mounted and infantry events, and for the four horse races up to half-past ten in day of sports. The entries up bo the present are sufficient to warrant an excellent day's sport, including as the programme does four aoraeracing events, and for these, in iddition to local competitors, there vill be competitors from Golden. Bay, i district noted for its horseflesh. Phe College Cadets will also give an ixhibition of drill. The object, laniely, the raising of funds for the lufferers |by the Stoke Orphanage ire, will appeal to all, and with fine feather there should be a large atendance. Excursion fares will be harged on the railway, and tickets or admission may be procured from he booksellers, tobacconists, &c., n'tho town. There will be refreshlent booths on the ground, and the omfort of patrons wUI be well atten-

ded to. Privileges will be sold tomorrow and are advertised elsewhere. Up to the present the following have contributed to the prize list, either in money or trophies : Bishop of Nelson, Lieutenant-Colonel Pitt* Colonel Wood, Judge Robinson, Hon. F. Trask, Messrs Tinline, J. M. Croucher, J. R. Dondson & Son, CY. Fell, J. Hyde, Maginnity & Son, A. H. Patterson, J. Bockmann, Everett Bros., Armstrong & Co., Hallenstein Bros., J.-'E. Hounsell & Co., C. Saunders. Those gentlemen who have not yet replied to the circulars sent them by LieutenantColonel Wolfe, 0.C.D., are asked to do so by to-morrow afternoon. The Cash Drapery Company. — This Company announces elsewhere that it has row opened its new shop in Bridge street with a new stock, and desires it to be known that the chief dressmaker and staff have taken up their duties in the new premises. 11 Mr Brown," she said graciously, " you are one of the most original men I have met for ever so long. You haven't said a single word about the weather." " No," he replied, with a tinge of regret in his voice, • I couldn't give my opinion of the weather in the presence of ladies." . At the opening of the Maori Grids' School at Auckland, Bishop Neligan said : • c One of the first letters he received after his nomination was from the widotf of the great George Augustus Selwyn, and her first question was on seeing him, • "ft hat about the Maoris ?' It seemed as it there was a charge coming Sown from the great friend of the 'Maoris, the first Bishop of New Zealand, and it waa indeed a happy augury that he should be allowed an opportunity of fuifilliLg a trust hanried down in this way. His Lordship concluded by commending the school to the care of God. Might truth, sound learning, and a very lively Godliness flourish there through all ages to the glory of God." Tub following words "in memoriam '• of Sir Hector Macdonald appear ia the London " limes" : — ■ Leave him alone, The death forgotten, and the truth unknown. Enough to know, Whate'er he feared, he never fearei a foe. Believe the best, 0 ! English hearts, and leave him to his i rest. Mr Lock will hold an auction sale of a bootmakers' stock, sewing machines. &c, at 11 a.m. to-morrow. The Tbmpebatube. At three o'clock this morning the thermometer outside this office registeitd 51 degree "No Lips Can Tell" the many good points of New Century Soft Rubber Hair Curlers. They do not break the hair or cause headache, and they are invisible Try them. Z£££

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