THE BOROUGH DRAINAGE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 98, 11 May 1880, Page 2

THE BOROUGH DRAINAGE.

A remark made by the Chairman of the County Council at the last meeting of that body dispels some doubt that has hitherto existed in the minds of some as to the power of the Borough Council to utilise any portion of the County’s grant of £5,000 for purposes of drainage, as well as for purposes of water supply. Mr. Bullock pointed out that, though the introduction of a water supply to the Borough was an indispensable work, drainage as a means of getting rid of the water after it had fulfilled its mission was equally necessary ; and he asked the Chairman to settle the question, whether any part of the L 5,000 granted by the County to the Borough could be utilised for drainage. The Chairman replied that no doubt of a drainage scheme being part of a water system had ever been entertained by him, and so far as the fund would go in the direction of drainage it would be perfectly right to use it. As our readers arc aware, a few days will see the water scheme now under construction, and a stream running down our channels, so that channelling will be a work imperative to be undertaken. Over the cost of the iron pipes now on hand and stored by the Borough, there still remains to the credit of the Water Supply Fund some £SOO, and the answer of the Chairman of the County to Mr. Bullock virtually gives the Borough control of this sum for channelling at once. Doubtless the Borough will set about channelling work immediately, trading upon the funds which have thus become available, and we may hope to see a good many unpleasant gutters sweetened. Besides, though the water scheme now in progress is looked upon as only a temporary one, there are good reasons for lielieving that its permanency is not so much a myth as smie believe, and if it should be allowed to continue for a few years, then it might be advisable, after disposing of the iron pipes, to devote the proceeds to the completion of all the channelling necessary in the township. In any case, the better financial position that has recently found the Borough Council holds out a hope that a large portion of much wanted channelling work will soon be taken in hand.