[January 26, 1926 – New Zealand Herald] Plans for important stormwater drainage works in Mount Eden, Mount Albert and Mount Roskill have been prepared by the engineer to the Auckland Drainage Board, Mr. H. H. Watkins, for the approval of the several bodies concerned. The scheme is designed to deal on proper engineering lines with the stormwater problem that has for years been a source of expense and annoyance in the Edendale and adjoining districts. The plans provide for the disposal of surplus water from the low-lying areas by means of drains and natural water-courses. The total cost of the scheme is £95,000, the burden of which, it is suggested, should be shared in varying proportions by the local bodies affected.
A copy of the engineer’s report was received by the Mount Eden Borough Council last evening. Three works are contemplated: —
(1) The cleaning, regrading and improvement of Meola Creek, at an estimated cost of £17,000. This amount has been apportioned among four adjacent local bodies, but the Mount Eden borough engineer, Mr. J. Rogers, suggested to the meeting last evening that it was the duty of the Drainage Board to maintain watercourses in proper order. It was therefore agreed that the board’s attention should be drawn to the matter.
(2) An extension of branch sewer No. 8, at a cost of £IO,OOO. This new work will commence where the branch sewer ends in the Mount Albert Grammar School grounds, and will proceed in an easterly direction via Haverstock Road to a point near Calgary Street, and will drain the stormwater from portions of Mount Eden, Mount Albert and Mount Roskill, the local authorities of which will contribute. The Mount Eden Borough Council decided to ask the Drainage Board to proceed at once with this work.
(3) A new drain, travelling from Meola Creek, in an easterly direction to St. Leonard’s Road, at an estimated cost of £68,000. Commencing in the Grammar School grounds at Mount Albert, the drain will proceed along Parrish Road and parallel and midway between Edendale and Dominion Roads, then by a devious route to a line midway between Queen’s Avenue and Kensington Avenue, next along Peary Road, ending in St. Leonard’s Road at the Epsom boundary. This drain will be the principal means for carrying away the stormwater from the southern zone of the Mount Eden Borough. Mr. Watkins suggests the estimated cost should be apportioned as follows: —Mount Albert Borough, £14,025; Mount Eden Borough, £50,575; Auckland City Council; £3400. Referring to the above assessment, Mr. Rogers suggested the Auckland City Council’s proportion might well be increased to £7OOO, and it was decided that the City Council should be approached in connection with the matter.