THE DRAINAGE OF THE CITY.

Evening Star, Issue 2895, 30 May 1872, Page 3

THE DRAINAGE OF THE CITY.

To the Editor,

;Si R, —I notice that the drainage of the f ity ip a matter occasionally occupying the attention of the Municipal authorities here, and that it has been mooted they should invite engineers to send in suggestions with sketches and approximate estimates of the cost. I have no doubt if this invitation is issued it will be freely responded to ; but I do not at all anticipate that the results, practically speaking, would bo satisfactory, iu as much as I believe no one plan submitted would be adopted. And as each designer and his party—for in all likelihood the most of them should have a party—would expect that their particular plan would be adopted as the best, a considerable amount of dissatisfaction would be given- Apd again, if what was thought to be a practical plan was concocted qiit of the material furnished l\y the various designers, each of tjie designers, whose ideas were adopted, would raise a hue and cry in essay style, until they got something for their trouble, and the general result would be not only vexatious delay in arriving at any correct conclusion, but general dissatisfaction. What I therefore should recommend the Council to do would be to cause their own Engineer to make a detailed contour survey of the town, showing all the different tenements and levels. Such survey would indeed be practically useful. The routes of the main outfalls could then be readily selected, as also those of the subsidiary mains and intercepting sewers. And a reliable estimate could be formed of the cost of this the most essential part of the work, at all events, without, I may say, any expense to the Corporation, further than employing the time of their salaried officer. Each ward could then determine upon what were its requirements; and the scheme would be put ppop a proper footing.—l am, kc. Utopia.