REPLIES TO CRITICS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 242, 1 July 1918, Page 8

REPLIES TO CRITICS

DAY'S BAY WATER AND DRAINAGE. (To the Editor.) Sir,—Some critics opposed to thiC scheme, upon which a vote is being taken to-day, have at the eleventh hour raised questions in letters to your paper which call for some reply. It is stated that the estimated cost of the work will be exceeded. Ratepayers may be assured that this cannot affect the rate which is fixed, and an ample margin has been allowed tor possiulo variation in the actual cost and estimated cost. This criticism is therefore quite disingenuous. On the other hand, the figures in regard to cost of individual connections have been grossly exnggerat'ed in every instance. This cost will ha ! minimised as much as possible; present material which is up to standard will be used in the work. The scheme of drainage is the only one practicable with, a email community, such as that at ; Day's Way, ami as against the opinion ' of tlij omniscient amateur we have the ' expert opinion of the City Engineer and . the Public Health Officers that the j scheme is found one, and will not givo i rise to a nuisance- of any kind on the foreshore or elsewhere. The Publio Health Department has expressed tho opiiKon to the Mayor of Wellington that i tlu present conditions are a danger to I tho community, end that the proposed scheme is necessary. Mr. W. J. Simpson's objections are largely on the ground that the scheme, will affect, his own pocket. He is not a resident of Day's , Bay, and has been an uncompromising opponent of the scheme, or, in fact, oi any scheme of improvement which might slightly increase his rates. The urgency of some improvement in present conditions is well known to residents living permanently in thei district, and if the scheme averts the danger of disease, which is undoubtedly present under existing circumstances, it is deserving. ,ot the heartiest support of the ratepayers. The public generally may rest assure! that tho authorities will not permit this scheme to be carried out if there is the slightest likelihood of creating a public nuisance or destroying the enjoyment of the beaches. The whole of the opposition to the scheme is undoubtedly due to siflfisli motives of ratepayers. If they are prepared to consider the public welfare there can be no doubt as to tue course which should .'be pursued, but they are really blind to their own interests, because, as the Mayor has pointed out, -the scheme will add enormously to the value of properties in this most desirable residential "GIFPED AM ATE ÜBS." Sir,-Mr. Morton, one of the leading drainage engineers in the Southern Hemisphere, has prepared what he recommends as the best practicable sclicmo fon the drainage at Day's Bay;'but a number of gifted amateurs, most of them anonymous, have giver, us the benont or their advice and 1 ignorance on the sub" ject, and they apparently opect themselves to, be taken seriously. Mr. Morton, himself would probably admit.that it would ho preferable to discharge the drainage from Day's Bay into Strait;" but as such a scheme would involve the erection,and maintenance o a pumping plant at'a cost of over £100,001 ! he cannot be blamed for recommending the only practicable seneme. My propertv is the nearest to the site of the southern septic tank; 1 shall also ba aifected more than the majority by any. increase in rates; my house has a complete drainage and water supply of its own, and I get, therefore, little personal benefit from the scheme. Nevertheless 1 am a strong supporter ot it. It seems to me thrt the .public benefit is the paramount consideration. At present theia is no provision-Vhatever for the disposal of bath, sink, or washing waste water, and the public peril daily '""f e »X in" to such sewerage being really undisposed of. Is it likely that an engmeer of Mr; Morton's reputation would ns«. such reputation- by recommending a scheme which, according to the anonymou amateurs, will be inefHct.ve But these same amateur engineers nave be n, careful not to suggest any other scheme. There being only one scheme, and it being ndmitte,l that drainage is an urgent necessity at the Bay, tho position is that wo do ot know of" "a better 'ole to go to than Mr. Morton's Hcheme.-I am, ete " ' A. W. BLAIR.