Drainage Engineer

Descriptive Data

TypeAgencyDate Range1893-1899DescriptionThe position of Drainage Engineer was created in 1892 on the recommendation of consulting engineers, who advised the Sanitation Committee on the 'Appointment of a Resident Engineer' and the carrying out of the proposed 'Drainage scheme'. The position was created specifically to implement a system of drainage for the city. The proposed work of the Drainage Engineer included 'designs, calculations, plans, drawings, estimate, specifications' under the control of the consulting engineers. For the Drainage Scheme, the Drainage Engineer was under the supervision of the consulting engineers and the direction of the Town Clerk. Prior to 1893 there was no permanent drainage engineer; contractors were employed, probably under instructions from the Town Clerk and working closely with the Town Surveyor and Inspector of Nuisances. Further evidence of this is a letter reprimanding the Drainage Engineer and the consulting engineers for employing a draughtsman without the express approval of the Council and the Town Clerk. Also in 1892-93, the Council raised a Sanitation Loan for carrying out the drainage scheme (under the Wellington City Sanitation Loan Empowering Act 1892) and the sanitary by-laws were revised. Under The Wellington (City) Suburbs Sanitation Act 1893 certain suburban areas (parts of Karori and Melrose) were also subject to WCC bylaws. The Wellington City Drainage Empowering Act 1894 gave the Council powers to compel property owners to construct drains, to regulate water-closets, etc. and to charge fees for inspection and other services. R L Mestayer took up appointment in March 1893. He was 49 yrs old, originally from Manchester, and had worked in Adelaide, South Australia, and later for the New South Wales state government, with his special area of experience as Sanitary Inspector. In June 1893 the Drainage Engineer employed a draughtsman, W Stapleton, and later other clerical staff. The 1898 Consolidated Bylaws indicate that inspection of 'nuisances' such as sewerage, and licensing of plumbers, etc was still done by the City Surveyor, Inspector of Nuisances, etc. rather than the Drainage Engineer. Also, after 6 years, the city's drainage system was operational and a Drainage Engineer was no longer required. The appointment of the City Engineer in March 1899 saw a change in the status of Drainage Engineer to Drainage Inspector.

Series

WCC, Drainage Engineer's letter book of outwards correspondence

Controlling Agency or Organisation

Controlling Agency or OrganisationTown Clerk's DepartmentControlling Agency or Organisation Date Range1870-1991

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Drainage Engineer