WAIOTAHI HIGHWAY DISTRICT BOARD.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 145, 27 March 1872, Page 3

WAIOTAHI HIGHWAY DISTRICT BOARD.

Fire Brigade,

A.N adjourned meeting of the Board was held yesterday afternoon. Present—Mr Davies (in the chair.) and Messrs Dowden. Anthony. Mcßoberts. Dean (secretary.) and Simpson (engineer.) The following report from the Engineer was read : Graliamstown. March 26. 1872. To the Chairman of the Waiotahi District Board. Sir., —In accordance with your instructions to consider the best plan of removing the evil complained of by Dr Lethbridge in his letter of yesterday, I have the honor to report that the whole of the locality mentioned in his letter receives the drainage of the surrounding property, and has no means of discharging the same into the sea, as it is only a few inches above high water, and the land between it and the beach is much higher. In my last repori to you this defect and its consequences weic pointed out. and a culvert through this locality down Coc-hranc-street to the Beach, and the formation c>f Daw-street, were amongst the works recommended by me and approved by the Board. Tenders were called for these works, but owing to the unfortunate misunderstanding between the Provincial Government and your Board, were not acted upon. The evil complained of. at all times very great, has been aroused by a fresh flooding of the district, and forming a lake of many acres in extent charged with all the debris of the town. This has gradually evaporated, leaving a thick scum over the whole of the locality complained of. exposed to the warm sun of the last few days. In the absence of the drainage works recommended and approved by yon. any remedial measures would be of little benefit, and, would have to be repeated

after every heavy shower of rain. In the emergency, I recommend that the accumulated rubbish be carted away, and the surface, as far as practicable, covered with dry earth at least one foot deep.—l have. &c., Daniel Simpson, Engineer. Mr Dean said lie had seen Mr Robert Graham's agent, and that the houses standing in Cochrane-street would be removed within 24 hours', and the property would be ready for the drain to he continued along it. In answer to Mr Anthony the Engineer said 200 yards of earth would deodorize the stagnant water in Amystreet. The Chairman said he thought the first thing to be done wool i be to cart away the rubbish. What was required was to do all they could, with their limited means, to remove the evil complained of. Mr Anthony moved that the Engineer be instructed to employ the necessarv labour to cart away the offensive matter, and to cover where necessary with earth one foot thick. This was agreed to. The Chairman observed that no money coining from the Government grant could be spent on Davv-street, as it was not a street for Goldfields traffic, and on this matter there was no misunderstanding between the Board and the Superintendent. The Engineer said it would be desirable to have a drain carried in Cochrane street.

Mr Anthony said it would be necessary to have the drain covered in and flushed with a head of water.

The Chairman 7 said before long something would have to be done at the corner of Pollen and Albert-streets, near the standpipe, where there was now an accumulation of stagnant water. The Engineer was instructed to make arrangements to have a temporary drain made until a culvert can be constructed. It was resolved to call for tenders for the formation of a drain along Cochranestreet, the expense to be met out of the General Government grant.

Mr Mackie, Mr Bull, and Mr Honiss, attended at the request of the Board, and were informed by the Chairman that the Board was- very short of funds, and had sent for them to consult as to what could be done. The Board was not in position to pay for the practices as heretofore. Mr Mackie said he was surprised to see in the public press some remarks of Mr Anthony—that he, Mr Mackie. was employing people living up the ranges. How was this to be remedied ?

The Chairman said it had been suggested to have about half-a-dozen well drilled men employed.

Mr Mackie said half-a-dozen would not

be enough

Mr Bell concurred, and said there ought to be a dozen. Mr Anthony said why could they not have a Volunteer Brigade ?

Mr Honiss said he thought there would be much difficulty in effecting this. Mr Mackie and Mr Bull concurred. The Chairman said it was found necessary to reduce expenses.

Mr Bull said it would be necessarv to have a dozen men. and they would not attend without being paid. Ibe Chairman said he would only be too glad : but the Board had not the funds to pay. In 3 months time things might improve. Mr Mackie said neither he nor Mr Bull got any pecuniary benefit from their connection with the Brigade, and would gladly give their services for nothing. As to the expense for the men, it would only be 24s per month for 12 men to practice once a fortnight. It was agreed that the Board should incur this expense. Mr McliC'Rertc suggested tiiat the names of the Fire Brigade should be legibly inscribed on their doors, and would move that lb plates l>e prepared for this purpose, so that the public may know, in case of emergency, where the men live.

Mr Doyvpex seconded the motion, which

was agreed to

The Board then adjourned