The Globe. THURSDAY MAY 10, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 897, 10 May 1877, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY MAY 10, 1877.

Tub indignant protest of the residents of the Heatheote district as to the nuisance arising from the deposit of sewage from the outfall drain at the Estuary must he fresh in the memory of our readers. The Drainage Board whilst emphatically denying the alleged intention of sending down the sewage matter promised immediate action for relief. Some two or three months back, on the motion of Mr Duncan, it was resolved that a cutting should he made from the mouth of the outfall drain into the deep water channel of the river. So far so good. The discontented ones of Heatheote seeing llieir grievances were to be redressed by the Board, went on their way rejoicing. But an answer to a question at the last meeting of the Board revealed the fact that, though a resolution was passed about three months ago to the effect that the work should be done as speedily as possible, no steps have yet been taken in this direction. Further than this, when only one or two meetings back several letters from residents complaining oF the nuisance were read, the Board replied that the work had already been authorised and would be pushed on as • r.edily as possible. It may be that the members of the Board, repenting

them of the alacrity with which they adopted Mr Carruthers’ plans have discovered for themselves a new definition of the word “ speedily,” and intend to proceed in that calm ollicial circumlocution-like manner which is the characteristic of red-tapeism. But ii seems to us that tins deliberation is misplaced. Here is a work Avhieh is admittedly one of great necessity. That if is so, is shown by the unanimous resolution of the Board some months ago that it be done at once. Complaints arc made of the unhealthy and unpleasant odours arising, and yet the members of the Board allow some months to elapse before they venture to ask the question as to whether their resolution has been carried out or not. And when at last they do so, what do they find ? That so far as can be ascertained the only step taken has been the formalrecord of the resolution in their minutes. It apappears on the face of it that some blame is to bo attached to the officer whose duty it is to carry out the instructions of the Board. If the representations made by the Heathcotc residents be well grounded, then through the remissness of an official, a deadly nuisance has been perpetrated for months after means for its removal have been devised. But not alone does blame rest on the official concerned. The members of the Board are equally to blame for having allowed their resolution to bo practically set aside, and that for several months. We hope now that attention has been drawn to this remissness on the part of some one, the Board will allow no further delay to take place in the carrying into effect of their resolution. Tun resolutions of the recent meeting under the auspices of the Batepayers’ Beform Association met with precisely the fate predicted. In view of considering Mr. Carruthers’ scheme, the Board declined, until after the ratepayers had had an opportunity of examining its details, to take up another. As we said at the time, the meeting was premature. To some extent, at least, the Board and the public —the latter by their representatives in a deputation —were bound to desist from further action until the lithographed plans were in the hands of the ratepayers and had been considered. Therefore, to request the Board to take xip another plan was to involve a breach of faith, and the action taken by the promoters of the meeting illadvised and unnecessary. It simply resulted in an opportunity being afforded some one or two, at the expense of the city, to air their theories of drainage. Aow that the public have had an opportunity of: seeing Mr Carruthers’ scheme, it is for them to decide upon the course of action. We have already expressed our opinion on the matter, and every day of delay, at this season, adds strength to the suggestion we have offered. Even if the work could be commenced at once — which is an impossibility —no relief could be afforded to the flooded districts during the next two winter months. Therefore, the feasibility of referring the whole matter to a competent Board of Engineers, and the commencement of the accepted scheme in the ensuing spring, become more apparent. At the risk of beingthought pertinacious, we again ask the Board, and the ratepayers, whether it is not worth while considering this course ?