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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Drainage

Drainage.

Though scientific drainage cannot be said to have flourished in Auckland, the healthy and sanitary condition of the City has been fairly maintained by judiciously assisting natural drainage. Auckland is so full of gullies that, while a complete system of drainage would be a great undertaking, it has not been found very difficult to conduct the sewage into water-courses in a manner which has secured its ultimate if tardy delivery into the waters of the Waitemata. Of course, much of it is discharged directly into the harbour by means of properly covered main sewers, and every year sees more done in this direction. A great deal, however, remains to be done before Auckland can reasonably lay claim to be classed among well-drained cities. The imperfections of the system have not acted so detrimentally as they might have done on the health and comfort of the community, chiefly perhaps, on account of two very important compensating influences—the ample tide-flow in the harbour, and the abundant vegetation round the houses of the people, rendered possible by the comparatively low prices of land in the more strictly residential areas. But even these great advantages may be taxed too far, and should not be taxed at all. It is, therefore, in every way satisfactory to know that the Auckland City Borrowing Act of 1899 empowers the Corporation to spend £44,354 on drainage, and £12,000 on an auxiliary water supply.