DRAINAGE OF THE BOROUGH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8477, 3 July 1907, Page 5

DRAINAGE OF THE BOROUGH.

CONSIDERATION OF THE ENGI-

NEER'S REPORT.

DR. FRENGLEY EXPLAINS THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S VIEWS.'

RATEPAYERS TO BE API - . PROACHED. ; - The Masterton Borough Council held a special meeting, last evening, to consider the report submitted by the Borough Engineer .on the question of the drainage. ?xtem;ion of the Borough. There w?r present:—The Mavor (Mr J. M. Coradinc) and Crs J. "H. Pauling, J. Elliott }?. W. Temple.A. Haughey, W. Monlt:, W. Pragnell, J. G. Ewhigton, J. Prentice and J. Yarr. Dr. Frengley, District Health Officer, was also present. The Mayor, in explaining the object of the meeting, said that the matter of a new drainage scheme for Masterton had from time to time been brought before the Council in various ways by citizens, Who had at present to put up with septic tanks, by the sanitary officers and by the members of the . Council themselves. Before he became Mayor the question had been mooted. He recognised, as he hoped all the other members of the Council did, that the question required the best business attention, and serious consideration of the Council. The sum of approximately £30,000 was involved, and this of course meant a big scheme. But it was not as big as it seemed. In fact, as far as he could make out, it was on much the same lines as the original scheme for the institution of the drainage in Masterton. At that time the population of the Borough was about half what it is now, and the cost was nearly as much as the amount at present involved. The scheme outlined in the Engineer's report departed in a great measure from that laid out by Mr Leslie Reynolds. It was not possible at the present time, for various reasons, to drain all the Borough into the present septic tank, so no money would have to be Expended on the drainage headworks in connection with the new scheme. Both Dr. Makgill, late District Health Officer, and the Borough Engineer had arrived at the conclusion that the drainage of the Boroug h would have to find some other outlet than the present septic tank. The Council would have to be careful that any scheme for the future drainage of Masterton was as far as possible faultless. The sum of £30,000 was a big order, but the Council recognise and the ratepayers seem to be of the opinion that the whole of the Borough must be drained. The question was, could the Borough stand the strain of a £30,000 loan? The town was in a prosperous state, and £30,000 might seem a small amount, but it must be remembered that the, Borough was already burdened with loans and might be more so in the near future for other requirements. It was the Council's duty to decide upon the best scheme for drainage that could be devised, and for that reason he thought that it would be as well to obtain the advice of an outside engineer on the question.. There had been various opinions expressed about the present drainage scheme, but while ail were gifted with good after-sight it remained to be seen if the present Council had good foresight. It had been suggested, that the present drainage of the town might have been improved, but who would have, thought at the,time the drainage was instituted that Masterton was going to be the size it is now? The Council would have to bear in mind the future growth of the town, and also the question of whether the present headworks of the drainage would be permanent. "If," said the Mayor, "we are going to alter the destination of the sewerage for any new .scheme, we want to be sure that the altered position will 1 be one that we will never have to alter again. We must take a lesson from the present destination." Continuing, the Mayor said that the Councillors were not experts in the matter. They should get the best advice they could, and then follow along those lines. The speaker sai d that the drainage could not be extended unless they :were sure that there was sufficient water. He saw nothing in the Engineer's report about provision being made for the extension of the water. 1

The Engineer said that there were very few streets in the Borough that were not supplied with water. Only the very thinly populated portions of the Borough were without a water service, and it was just a question of whether there would be a sufficient demand for the drainage in those parts. The Mayor went on to say that the present water supply was just sufficient in the summer, and if the water supply was going to be taxed by at least a third more for the extension of the drainage, he asked the Engineer would there then be enough water to meet all demands in the summer.

The Engineer: "If the headworks fail us we will have to find another headworks; if they don't we will have plenty of water. The answer i s evasive I know, but the question can't be answered directly. If the Council refuse to allow the water to be used indiscriminately there will always be plenty." He added that at present there was a lot of water wasted.

The Mayor: "We can't restrict the use of water. The ratepayers did not understand that when they voted for the water supply loan." Dr. Frengley, on being asked by the Mayor to speak, said he had known of the condition of the Masterton septic tank for some time past, so that he could state that he was conversant with the difficulties that had to be surmounted, and the obstacles that had been overcome. He had not been in the district long, but to show that the sanitary conditions in Masterton Wire unsatisfactory in -some quarters, he would say that he had received letters from two householders who were desirous of getting out of their difficulty in the matter of drainage. He had no doubt that there were others situated in similar circumstances. The Engineer had made it plain in his report that the Council were to take no risks concerning the septic tank. The Engineer desired, and rightly, too, to have land for filtration at the septic tank, so as to secure a good effluent.

The big risk in the drainage would be to get rid of the subsoil water. The Doctor went on to describe the septic action, showing how sludge became packed in a tank and pointing out the necessity for a flow of water. Anything that interfered with the putrefaction of the sewage, he said, was a risk, and that was the risk with the Masterton septic tank. The Health Department was emphatically against the construction of small septic tanks in small towns, where there was any likelihood of drainage, because of the difficulty of subsoil filtration. He classed such septic tanks as nothing better than overflowing cesspits. Cr Pauling asked whether the Doctor had ever been on the site of the proposed new septic tank? Dr. Frengley replied that he had not, but his predecessor, Dr. Makgill, had visited the locality, and had approved of it. Cr Pauling said he would like to know whether the Health Department was going to insist on a new scheme of drainage for Masterton, and if the Council found that they could not do the work would the Department step in and do it? If the Council found that they would have to face the question, he thought that more advice should be obtained on the scheme. The Engineer had submitted a careful report, but in spending £30,000 he felt that the Council should obtain additional advice. "At the same time," said Cr Pauling, "it is no use for the Council to go any further in the matter, unless the Health Department will do i their share of the work."

Cr Ewington agreed with the last speaker in that the Health Department should . do their share of the work. If the Department insisted on the work being done there would be no necessity for taking a poll of tne ratepayers.

The Mayor considered that even if the Department said the work had to be done, it would be good policy to consult the ratepayers before saddling the Borough a with £30,000 loan. As Mayor he would not take any action unless, the proposal was placed before the ratepayers. Cr Pragnell supported the Mayor's views. -' ■ . ■

Cr Prentice was quits sure shat the time had come when the question of drainage had to be faced. He was living within a stone's throw of Queen Street, and was without the drainage. There were others in a similar and he hoped the Council would do something to relieve them.

, Cr Haughey said that he considered that it was absolutely necessary to take a poll of the ratepayers and to tell them what was required, leaving the Health Department out of the question altogether. The water supply was not sufficient for the increased drainage, and that would be another difficulty that would have to be faced. He considered that the report of the Engineer was a little premature, and required "touching up." The Mayor said he thought that the members of the Council, as well as the Engineer himself, considered that the report was just an outline of what would have to be done.

CrEwington (to the Mayor): "If the Department said the work had to be done, would you go to the expense of taking a poll on the question, when you know the work has to be done?"

The Mayor: "Yes, on a gigantic scheme of this kind."

Cr Yarr said the Mayor had ad-' mitted that the report was only a framework, but the speaker considered that a more detailed report should have been submitted, even if it took longer to prepare. The drainage had to be carried out, and he considered that the Council should take the initiative and put the proposal before the ratepayers without waiting for the Health Department. If the ratepayers rejected the proposal, then he would advise the Council to seek the assistance of the Health Department. Cr Morris said that he did not consider that such a large scheme was at present necessary. There were parts of Kuripiini that would not be thickly populated for years to come, and he felt sure that a scheme of half the magnitude of the present one would suffice. The ratepayers would then undoubtedly give their consent. Cr Temple said that the report was a secondary consideration just at present. He would like to ask Dr. Frengley whether by some Act the Government were empowered to advance the borough £IO,OOO per annum at 4 per cent for drainage work. If the Council could get the money at 4 per cent, from the Government it would be better than paying 6 per cent., else where, r Dr. Frengley, in reply to the various comments, said that health, and .not money, was the first consideration in a scheme like the present one. He would say that drainage for Masterton was an imperative necessity. When they asked whether i the Department was going to force I the Council into the work, he would : answer, "No." The Department was not there to force but to educate the people into the necessity for drainage arid consequently health. How far could the Department help the Council? Well, the Council had the right to borrow from the Government up to £IO,OOO per year for drainage work, on the recommendation of himself and with the approval of the Minister, without a poll of the ratepayers being taken. But, he would add that the Department always wanted to know whether a poll had been taken before recommending the Government to advance the money, because the ratepayers were thebest judges of whether the work was necessary in a town. A vote of the ratepayers was first required before the Department ' took advantage of the Act. Though the Department would not- forca the Council, he was not afraid to do his duty. He would tell the Council that the present septic tank was a nuisance and should be abated. Though the Department would not force matters Jdirectly, would do so indirectly. Take, for instance, the sepic tanks on private properties in the Borough. They were a nuisance, and he would have to do his duty, and prosecute the owners so that the nuisance would be abated. He would noz like to go to that extent. He would sooner h is views before a meeting of ratepayers in the hope that they would be educated in their duty with regard to the drainage. Cr Temple thanked Dr. Frengley for his information. He believed

that this statement was going to be a big factor in the question. The Engineer said he would like to make it clear, in answer to Councillors, that the site chosen for the septic tank was decidedly the most suitable site in the district. There was not going to be any hitch in that direction. The Mayor: "That makes thereport clearer." After further discussion, Cr Pauling moved that steps be taken to place a scheme for the extension of drainage (approximate cost £30,000) before the ratepayers, and ascertain whether they are favourable to such a scheme, conditionally upon the Treasury advancing £IO,OOO per annum at 4 per cent, for the work. Cr Morris seconded'the motion. Cr Haughey said that as a new Councillor the report had come as a surprise to him. . He wanted time to consider it. He was of opinion that the drainage extension would cost more than £30,000, as an increased water .supply was required. He moved as an amendment that the matter be held over for a month to allow the ratepayers time to consider it. Cr Praghell seconded the amendment; The Mayor said that the Department would not recommend the Government to advance the money unless a poll of ratepayers was first taken. He would like to ask DrL Frengley if there was a chance of getting the necessary money from the Government at 4 per cent. Dr. Frengley: "I could not say, but I'm not afraid to ask." The amendment was then put and lost. The motion was carried on the voices. •' On the motion of Cr Prentice, seconded by Cr Pragnell. a vote of thanks was accorded to Dr. Frengley for attending the meeting and giving the information he had.