THE PROPOSED DRAINAGE SGHEME FOR HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1577, 12 August 1882, Page 2

THE PROPOSED DRAINAGE SGHEME FOR HAMILTON.

. + . The necessity for adopting some means of draining the low-lying parts of the town of Hamilton has long been apparent, and lias several times been urged in these ! columns. On the score of health alone it was felt that something should be done, and the borough council a few weeks ago went &o far as to appoint an engineer to prepare a scheme for Hamilton West. On Monday night last this appointment was cancelled, and it was resolved that the mayor and councillors should personally inspect the ground "with a view to future action. Accordingly, yesterday the mayor and several of the members of the council assembled, and drove over the ground presumed to be in w ant of drainage on both sides of the river. They made a thorough inspection, and unanimously concurred in the opinion that a scheme should be adopted. Last night the council met in committee, all the members being present with the exception of Crs. Qualtrough and Robson. The Mayor referred briefly to the steps previously taken by the council, and concluded by moving the following resolution, — "That a proper system of drainage be undertaken on both sides 'of the borough, aud that arterial drains be laid from Col-lingwood-street, through Anglesea-street, across Hood-street, and following the natural watercourse as far as the brick culvert in Clarence-street, and then as far down the gully towards the river as may be found necessary. And on the east side, from the Cambridge road near Manktelow's following the natural watercourses through the different streets which it intersects to the outlet at a little beyond Cook-street to Gibbons' gully towards the river, and that the system of main drains be such as may be recommended by competent engineering authorities, either of brick or large pipes, and that plans and estimate of the cost of the above be called for by tender, in order to have some definite proposal to lay before the ratepayers, with a view to obtain their sanction to borrow the necessary money." Councillors, he said, would, from their own knowledge, be in a position to speak to this resolution. For his part, he would say that until that day he had had no idea of the wretched condition of some parts of the borough, caused by the want of proper drainage. It was a standing disgrace to them that some of the streets should be in such a state. It was a shame that children going to school were not enabled to go dryshod, and the only thing that surprised him was that there was not .much more sickness in the place. Some "change must be effected, even if it cost a few thousand pounds. — Cr. Bradley seconded the motion. — Cr. Jones suggested that the whole borough be included in tlie scheme. — The Mayor said only those portions of the borough mentioned in the motion were in need of drainage. Other parts could be easily drained by private efforts. — After some further discussion on this head, Cr. Gau-' din wished to know, how the loan would affect -the borough taxation.— The Town Clerk said the rateable value of property in the borough was about £10,000. A £2000 loan at, say, 6%, would therefore mean a special rate of 4d in, the £.— The Mayor said, the valuation was low. < For, the .purposes of the^prqperty^tax it^woiild be nearly^l^bpb.-^Cr: Bradley desired to know what the cost of the scheme would be approximately.— The Town Clerk aaid the "borbughjOf, Pamell drainage had cost 1 £6000, but the^6rk f was,'bf course done effibieritly ?^Se*YeraFcouncillorS'Su"ggested v that this •was>armatter, ! that!;coiild pnlyjtoe estimate: — Cr" Jones moved as airamena,f th'e^|oK^s?4i%^|^;' gmded|i|r^tlYe,scfi(^^^^tJre^¥eW^rj|"-^*