PAPANUI DRAINAGE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2200, 15 March 1881, Page 3

PAPANUI DRAINAGE.

A deputation from the Local Board of Health, consisting of Mr J. E. Brown, Mr J. V Boss, Dr. Nedwill (medical officer), and Mr Napier Bell (engineer), waited on the Avon District Boad Board last evening, by appointment, in reference to the drainage of a portion of the Papanui distriot, whioh has been described by the medical officer as being in a deplorable condition of disease, owing to the absence of ordinary sanitary arrangements.

The deputation was introduced by Mr Bosr, who explained that they had been deputed by the Board of Health to interview the Avon Board for tho purpose of seeing what could be done towards remedying the evils in connection with the sanitary condition of a portion of their district. Mr Brown said the medical officer had reported to the Board of Health that the sanitary condition of the district was very bad indeed, and the Board hesitated to take action before ascertaining the views of this Board, and seeking their co-operation, as they (the Avon Boad Board) ought to be in a position to remedy the evil to a very great extent indeed. The question really seemed to be a simple one. The Drainage Board had provided arterial drains, and it remained for the Boad Board to provide side ohannels to carry the drainage into them. It was absolutely necessary that something should be done, otherwise the population of that particular portion of Papanui would in all probability be decimated.

Dr. Nedwill explained that it was especially the lower part of Papanui, on the right hand side going up, that demanded attention, being as it was entirely without drainage of any description. It was simply a peat iwamp. The house slops were thrown out and absorbed, there was no proper closet accommodation, and the sanitary condition of the place generally was as bad as it was possible to be. He did not know that it was necessary to say more than thiß. In fact, the looality would not be healthy for some time, even if it were drained at once, the ground being so thoroughly saturated with'all kinds of filth and refuse. Mr Boss pointed out that a grave responsibility was thrown upon the Board of Health, ! and tho deputation had oalled on the Board to see what steps could be taken towards providing necessary relief in the emergency. The Chairman (Mr J. L. Wilson) informed the deputation of the position occupied by the A-von Road Board in this matter. As a matter of fact, the subject had been before the Board for a very long time pist—he did not remember the exact date, but believed it was ever sinoe the people had settled in the looality. They had first of all complaints about what might be oalled Papanui proper, on the northern side of the road—whioh was in faot a very ugly patch indeed, being deep with filth. They remedied that by filling up the hollow and putting in timber channelling, —they could not put in concrete owing to the expense. The same remarks apply to the other case. The Board offered to put down oonorete channels, on the residents paying half the cost. They could not do more, feeling that they would not be justified in expending so large a portion of the ratepayers' money as the entire cost of the work would involve. They were responsible to the ratepayers as a body, and had no right to favor, one district at the expense of another. There was now nothing to complain of on the north side of the road. In regard to the pirticular spot.now complained of, it was really a_ wonder to him that people could have been induced to settle on the land, but he could quite understand that the present residents were encouraged to buy from Mr Horner, the original owner, on the understanding that he would form the roads. The first trouble that arose in connection with the locality in question was when Mr Horner refused to pay the cost of dedication, and the matter remained unsettled for some time, during whioh there were numerous complaints about the roads not being formed. Eventually the residents said they would pay for it themselves, and they did so by subscription. He should say, however, that prior k to this the Board had agreed to make an exception of Mr Horner, and pay half the cost of the forming the road, although they had a standing order that they would not take over any roads unless they were formed and metalled. Mr Horner at first agreed to the terms, but on tenders being called for, backed out of the arrangement on the ground that the Board were going in too extensively. This, as he had said, was before the dedication, and it would be seen, therefore, that the Board had given every consideration to that looality. As an additional evidence of this he might state that they had this year set apart the sum of £IOO as a supplementary estimate for that of the district, thinking that in the course of time something might be required to be done there. He believed that the Board would at the present time be prepared to bear a fair pro.portion of the expense of the formation. At the same time he did not believe the work of formation would prove of much benefit unless side, channelling were introduced. Mr Brown said the Board seemed to mistake the position. It was the side channelling which was absolutely necessary to be done whether the roads were formed or not, so that tho filth and refuse could be carried away, and £IOO would probably do that. [Mr Plesber dissented.] On the other hand the Board were bound by law to make the roads if they had funds at their disposal. But that was not the present question. They had a very serious position facing them. It was evident, unlesssomething wese done to remedy this evil, very dreadful consequences would follow. Typhoidfever and diphtheria and other diseases were raging in the district, and the result they had to fear was that the people, unless rescued from their present oondition, would be d9cimated. The Board of Health did not ask them to expend one shilling on roads—the great object was to provide local drainage,, to mate effective the arterial drain provided by the Drainage Board. Mr Muajo asked what |drain had- been made by the Drainage Board. Mr Brown —Why, a drain running through. Mr Horner's land. Mr Munro—That was made before the Drainage. Board existed. Mr Brown—We have improTod and deepened it, and that is quite sufficient, to carry off all tho drainage you can put into, it by means of side channels.

Mr Bell described on a plan a form of surface drainage which would meet the ease. Mr Flesher said it wae simply a question of costs from, beginning to end. The position takes np by the Board was this, that the owdwb or occupiers of the land should contribute a portion of the cost of the work by which their properties were to be benefitted, either by subscriptions or by a special rate. Hitherto the inhabitants had declined to recognise the justice of this, which, it should be needless to say, must be manifest to any reasonable understanding. He was surprised to hear a gentleman of Mr Brown'i

i experience deny the importance of ror> mating in cenneetion with surfaoo drainag He (Mr Flesher) could not see how tl channels could be made to work effective! without providing proper road levels. Mr Bell said there were two plans—eithi side channelling or pipe drains to be place under the road. The latter would be foun more effectual, especially in peaty soil lil that of Horner's township. It would, b lidded, be rather more costly, owing to th necessary house connections. After some further discussion, i It was resolved, on the motion of M iper, seconded by Mr Munro—" Tht tbi» Board wiu at once call for tenders for th fo-nrw* *' on °' roads in Horner's township o the- ma. ' er »t»nding that the inhabitants pa halFttlff. 008 '-" It ww v nde r*tood, on the authority of M Jaokswny wl. ° waß present, that Mr Homo would agree* *° P B / nalr 'he Coß ' of 'h «ormat;en. Mr Munro fib*. n m oved—" That the seore tiwy ba instru«t«tf '° i nror m the Board o Health that tt» A?v ,n . Road Board are ii treaty with the rnhaik' tanfß for ths prope: formation of roacls, a«A furthor that thii Board believes that orfjf P'P° drainage, e.i reooraihendod by th» engisMW." t 0 'he Drainugi Board for the district, will ns*. et 'ha demandi of publio health-, and that taw "ork must be the work of the Drainage Board.*" The motion waa seconded by J>* r Dunlop and carried.