ENGINEER TO TRAVEL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 625, 30 March 1929, Page 1

ENGINEER TO TRAVEL

INVESTIGATING MODERN DRAINAGE SOLVING CITY'S PROBLEMS Following a recommendation by the Commission, set up to inquire • nto Waitemata and Manukau sewerage problems, that the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board's engineer-secretary, Mr. H. Watkins, should be sent abroad to investigate drainage schemes in other parts, the board at a special meeting on Thursday evening decided to give effect to the suggestion. Mr. Watkins will leave for a •ix months’ tour on May 7. The engineer proposes to begin in Me United States and Canada, where he will study sewerage methods in cities approximating in size to Auckland- From there he will proceed to England and Europe. He is particu!a.riy interested in Germany, where treatment of sewage by mechanical Processes has atained a high state of development. Mr. Watkins will return h y way of Suez and investigate systems obtaining in Australian "cities. Mr. e. J. Phelan suggested that, in view of the fact that the knowledge sained by the engineer was likely to b « of national value the Government .should be asked to furnish letters of Introduction. A sub-committee of the board recommended that Mr. Watkins be sent abroad at the earliest opportunity for a Period of approximately six months. It was further recommended that the assistant engineer, Mr. J. P. Wright. ‘ >e appointed acting-engineer and Mr. U- G. Ansell. clerical assistant, to the Position of acting-secretary. The tour was approved and the recommendations adopted.