DAY'S BAY NEEDS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 200, 13 May 1918, Page 6

DAY'S BAY NEEDS

DRAINAGE AND WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES

PROPOSALS APPROVED

The ratepayers of Day's Bay hare, decided to takn a poll on the tiuestion of going ahead with (he drainage and water supply scheme, which wns authorised by Act of Parliament last session. At a meeting held in the pavilion nt May's Bay on Saturday evening, the ratepayers wore addressed by the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke), who had motored out from town for that purpose, accompanied by Councillor John Castle, Mr. W. H. Morton, city engineer, and Mr. 11. Tnifc assistant Town Clerk, and fortified wit™ plans and estimates. There was a good attendance, and the proceedings were entirely unanimous. His AVorslrip, who was briefly introduced by the chairman (Mr. 'D. M. Fimllay), expressed the pleasure it afforded him to meet the Day's Bay people, and to assure them of his sympathetic interest in their welfare. As a piopertyotviier in tho Bay, the city hnd a direct interest in the welfare and prosperity of tho community, and had recognised. Hit urgency of these two very important questions—water supply and drainage. Mr. Luke went on to say that the position of tho scheme on its financial side had been affected by the abnormal war conditions, and tbo influence of these on the price of material and labour, with tho result tint the ratepayers would have to face a heavier burden than liad been anticipated. The original estimates had placed tho cost of tho undertaking at something over .ESOOO, but in the interval the prices of material had increased, and the supply of labour had become a problem. In view of these factors the estimates had had to be revised, to the extent that the cost of the scheme was now set down at .£10,950; JMOSO for tlie water supply and .£6900 for the drainage. His Worship went on to outline the scheme, which provided for two storage reservoirs, fed by the watersheds on Hie north and south hills of the Bay for tho water ! supply, and two septic tanks at tho i north and soutli points of the Bay for : the drainage. The construction work : and reticulation would be carried out in I conformity with the bylaws of the Wel- ! lington City Corporation. The capital I value of the area to be served was J and the unimproved value • .£{1,812. The rating for the water sup- ■ I ply wns based on the animal value, and for the drainage on the unimproved value, ' which would mean LM. in tk> S for the : water and 3|d. in the £ fur the drainage '' li wiis estimated hi.,; in L - drainage rate', wouid produce .MM. and the water rate ' .£289, a tolal of ,6781, which was' not '■ finite enough, but, Mr. LnJco assured the i meeting, the position would be met. all j right. The number of buildings had in- i creased since iho first tstimates wero i worked out, and tho position would nat- j urally- adjust itself very soon. Even on ! the increased cast of the fcliemo, said ; His Worship, ihe burden was not tinrea- j sonable,' and the accruing advantages! were many, lie added that if interest i and sinking fund wero to be paid out of' tho loan (first year's instalment), this i would involve an additional id. on the ! rating, making njd. in the £. I Mr. Luke then moved: That this meeting of Day's Bay ratepayers who come within the jurisdiction of the Wellington City Council for Hie supply of water, drainage, sanitation, and i.ther purposes, approves of the scheme of the City Engineer, Mr. W. 11. Morton, as stated to this public, meeting by the Mayor of Wellington, . and requests that a poll of the ratepayers be taken on. (hei proposal, j The motion was seconded by Mr. D. M. Fiwllay, who pointed out thai in the event of tho proposal lwing rejected the empowering legislation would automatically become nail "and void, and in the event of another proposal brought forward in the -finlure the whole process would have to be gone over again.

At;tho invitation of the Mayor, Mr. Morton, to whom Mr. Luke paid a liigli tribute, added a few explanatory roninrks. The scheme, lie said, was the cheapest one thai: lie enukl think of for meeting the requirements of Day's Bay, ami would provide lor the i.eeds of the district for many, years to •ome. The .drainage scheme was the same in. principle as had given general satisfaction at Island Bay and Kniwarra. '■ he outfall would hp bpyojid low walw mark, and would give no offence. The tanks would be constructed between the road and high wilier mark. To carry Uio affluent of the drainage some distance'away would involve a pumping station at a very heavy cost. He assured the meeting that the scheme as proposed would amply fulfil requirements. Provision was made for the supply of watc-r to the houses on the higher levels. Kesidents on theso levels would be required to provide storage innk?, vhich would be filled' every night. After a few questions had been asked and answered, the motion was put and carried unanimously.

"One of the best meetings I've ever had," commerced His Worship. The whole of (he business occupied about an hour.