ONE BIG BOARD?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 458, 13 September 1928, Page 12

ONE BIG BOARD?

DRAINAGE PLANS FOR GREATER AUCKLAND ONEHUNGA STANDS ALONE Good feeling and a spirit of cooperation were evidenced when possible extensive increases to the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board’s district were considered at a conference between representatives of the board and of the outside bodies concerned, last evening. THE chairman of the board, Mr. G. Baildon, presided. The main questions concerned Ellerslie towh district and other districts in the * Manukau watershed of Eden county, including Onehunga, One Tree Hill, Mount Roskill and Mount Wellington. The natural outflow of these districts is to the Manukau Harbour. At a recent conference it was suggested that the board’s area should be extended, or another drainage district should be created. Treatment-works, with an outfall to the Manukau, could then be provided, and this would deal with Ellerslie properly. WAITING FOR COMMISSION In the meantime the Manukau proposal is held up in view of the Auckland Harbour Board having suggested a commission to investigate the question of disposal of sewage into the two harbours. Ellerslie drainage at present discharges into caves which become flooded in wet weather. At present only parts of Ellerslie can be dealt with, but before undertaking this, any temporary measure, the engineer, Mr. H. H. Watkins, suggested that there should be definite prospect of an outlet to the Manukau when the board could no longer deal with the drainage. Portions of One Tree Hill and Mount Roskill have been dealt with already. Mr. J. A. C. Allum said the important problem was to give Ellerslie some relief without having to wait for a commission. The board could deal with three out of four areas in Ellerslie, but the third only temporarily, and in a few years the difficulty of discharge would again arise. Mr. W. C. Coldicutt said Onehunga could give a permanent and satisfactory system for Ellerslie. The borough could also deal with the undrained portion of One Tree Hill, and perhaps Mount Wellington and portion of Otahuhu. MORE VISION WANTED Mr. J. M. Crosher, Ellerslie, said that he felt they should have more vision. In ten or twenty years’ time the would be thickly populated. It would only make Onehunga a drainage board and they preferred an extension of the present drainage board. Mr. Baildon said the whole idea of the meeting was to see if the bodies concerned desired an extension of the drainage board’s activities. “I would prefer to see the one controlling body,” said Mr. E. A. Pearce, of Mount Roskill. ' “We would want quite an extensive report before we could put forward anything more definite,” said Mr. Bail-

don. “My own opinion favours one ljig board.” Mr. Allum moved that the engineer of the board be requested to prepare general data and a report on the district, that this be submitted to the local bodies, and that another conference be then called. Mr. E. A. Pearce seconded this and felt his board would support the method of arriving at a decision. Mr. J. Wood, chairman of Mount Wellington Road Board, favoured one board, and thought temporary measures a mistake. Mr. H. B. Dobbie, chairman at One Tree Hill, said one area in his district would cost £35,000 and the possibility of getting the loan was hopeless. He favoured one board. “I feel like a lone hand,” said Mr. Coldicutt. “The argument you submit is a great feeler for Greater Auckland. Once you have the Drainage Board with its clutches on the suburbs they are gone.” Mr. Baildon: “Good-bye Onehunga?” Mr. Coldicutt said they could deal with their own drainage on that side, and the ridge between the two harbours would divide Greater Auckland and Greater Onehunga. They were capable of dealing with the western area. Mr. Watkins said Onehunga and Ellerslie had not been able to get down to terms. The board had taken action only because it had been strongly urged by Ellerslie and the. Health Department. The motion was carried and the conference adjourned till the report is ready.