PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE

Western Star, 19 August 1924, Page 2

PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Riverton Progressive League was held in the Town Hall on Friday evening. Mr (lee (President), presided, and the following members were present: —Dr Gordon. Messrs P. Bell A E. Willett. R. X. Wi's-mi. (1 Kerr, T. King, \V. Sc hie, j. Cnwford, F. Ashley, G. Dickson, and 11. E. Philp. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs H. Akhurst, J. Martin and 11. Berndcson. In referuece to the town clock whicii i? still out of action, Mr Willett reported that the Council had received notification from Balclutha. that the town clock there was maintained by the postal department, also that the Council were communicating with the I'ostAlaster General through the member for the district. Dr Gordon stated that the Kadiurn Appeal canvassers had given out and collected the envelopes. And the mater of opening these and making up the list was referred back to the Committee.

The matter of repairing the protection round the trees'and the carrying out of any necessary work in connection with these trees' was left in the hands of Mr Akliurst. Correspondence was received from the Secretary of the lliverton Brass Band stating that the band proposed running a bazaar for the purpose of raising funds to purchase new instruments, and stating that a puulic meeting had been called for this purpose, last Monday evening, hut had to be postponed on account of insufficient attendance; and stating that he was instructed to ask for the League's assistance, at a meeting to be held on Tuesday the 19th, at 8. p.m.—Was decided to ask as many of the members of the League- to be present, as possible. The District Traffic Manager, .New Zealand Railways, wrote advising the League that in reference to the representations nindo by the League for the provision of a crane in the goods shed, Riverton. and stating that he had to advise them, that it has been decided to do so, and the work will be put in hand immediately.—Received Also from the Acting Stationmaster. Riverton informing the League that their request for heaters to oe placed in the waiting room at the station, had been forwarded to the District Traffic Manager for consideration, and that he would let them know his decision later. —Received. / From the Town Clerk, Riverton Borough, stating that the League's letter of the 21st inst. was duly considered by the Council when it was resolved to enforce the f instructions issued by the Council in reference to the removal of noxious weeds. —Received. Accounts ammouuting to £o 3s 6d were presented and passed for payment. Dr Gordon brought up the subject of the sanitary service, and stated efficient as it is, the present system was not good enough owing to certain difficulties such as. an insufficient water supply. He brought up this idea that night in order to bring it before the Council, if the League thought fit. It is quite feasible and will make a great difference to Riverton. If we were to have a wash-down system, it would cost the Borough Council £15,000 to £20,000 for sealed drainage system alonq. -No doubt a water supply is needed not only for sanitary purposes, but also for fire fighting. He believed in a system of septic tanks' for each house, and this could be done at a very small cost. At present everyone is compelled | to have the pan-closets emptied, preferably once a week. This system is not sanitary enough and should he carried out nn an exchange of pans. This is not done. It is absolutely essential i tlutt these pans- should be taken away |cleaned, tarred, and burnt, if necessary, ami a clean one put in the place of a | full '.ne. We a.iv paying anything from £1 l;> :!0/- per vear, ;:nd as a washdown service is out_ of the question, lie I bought the Council would be well advised to make it compulsory that any building going up in the borough should have in its plans and specifications either a septic tank', or McSkimmings Patent. McSkimming's. Patent could he put in by contract very cheaply. If the Council made this compulsory for every building in the Borough, it would be much better. For

those already built >'t should be made .Jtlina.turyi. The wlio'e ilistjillling of MeSkimming's Patent 5 , or, a- septic tank could be done for from £lB to C 25. This could be done by a special tank supply of from 400 to 600 gallons, or in some cases from the household supply. The interest of the money required to instal the tank would not be a* much as we are paying at present for the nightsoil removal. The majority of the people would instal this system, if the Boro''frh would finance those that could not afford to pay the. amount required. I am sure once the system is seen in operation no oerson would go back to the old style. The present drainage system is quite good enough to drain away the effluent from the tank and it is not absolutely necessary to have the septic tank coupled with the drainage system. Mr Gee also spoke in favour of tho project, arid stated that he had a'septic tank in operation, and it gave every satisfaction, and also mentioned others who also had tanks and were quite satisfied with them. tfMr Kerr said that tho Department of Health was not in favour of the project as the tanks require to be drained into a cess-pool or pit, and it was not sanitary to drain them into the ordinary drains. -V Dr Gordon stated that the sinfepit he mentioned Mas not a cesspool, and in Kiverton these sinkpits in tho soil here would be a success. The sandy sub-soil in Riverton would drain off the water, and this could easily bo seen by the soakag© of tidal

water. Mr Willett also spoke on the subject and said that to make it a success a water supply is needed. Mr King spoke against the project until a drainage system was installed. Mr Philp said he was very diffident about saying anything about this as people .would say he was out for business. He thought any person who runs down septic tanks where there is no drainage system is very narrow minded. There are improvements in everything and we must advance with the times. The only trouble is tho supply of water, but it does not need the amount of water people think. Riverton is admirably suited for a septic tank system.

It was decided to forward the following recommendation to the Borough : Council: —Thnf oil nlans and spccilica- ■ tions of future buildings in the borough i contain provision for -septic tank or fMeSkinvming's Patent, and washdown W.C. All houees in the Borough to jnetal septic tanks and trasadowa W.U.,

'and if the householder cannot afford the outlay, the money to be supplied by the Borough Council and an annual charge representing .interest and sinking fund, be paid to the Borough Council. The matter of assisting to instal septic tank and W.C's at the school was left in the hand? of Mr King and Mr Scobie to report to the school committee. ' . Mr Gee stated that last Sunday, ne had Mr Patterson take some photos of the bridge and its under-structure, but the set is not complete as there are one or two photos yet to be taken at the spring tide., The ones, already f [taken were handed round for the bene-. I fit of members present. He thought i these photos would be of use hi hasten|ing and helping those working for the new bridge. ThVe photos showed some of the beams which were rotten, while others showed beams broken in half, and these are only a few of many faults visable. Mr Akhurst, will screen these if we wish, and after showing them to the public, they could be forwarded to the Prime Minister. The President's action in having these taken was aooroved, and it was decided to have, them screened, and forwarded to Wellington.