WATER SUPPLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 104, 2 May 1918, Page 9

WATER SUPPLY.

XORTHCOTE AND BIRKENHEAD. The Mayor or Birkenhead, at a meeting v. tiie borough Council last night, commented on the reply of the Xorthcote Coun•■•l in relarln ulo rhe Northcote proposal to roaneet the Birkenhead nr.d Northcote [■.imping plants, viz.. "That the Northcote L'otmcil had decided that the time la inopportune to .end a deputation, and the .__;ter is deferred sine die.'' The position. L_ said, was difficult to understand. On April in the Xorthcote Council forwarded !_..- following resolution: "That the Birkenhead Council be approached with the vle-v ur connecting the pumping plant, of Birkenhead ami NoiUi.ot. to safegunrd the interests of hoth bnrousiis In case of any temporary breakdown, ure at ei.ner pumping plant, ot any other emergency." Tne Birkenhead Council's letter in reply <m April 18 stated that the "Birkenhead i oiin-«-ii would be pleased to consider any proposal the Northcote Council desired to make in this connection." Now the Xorthcote Council told them the time was inopportune to consider Us own proposal. Birkenhead now had its own water supply. He felt that the reply was not lourteous to the Birkenhead Council, -in] had mentioned the matter to tne Mayor ur Xorthcote i-Mr J. B. Tonar), who said that Birkenhead wanted a lot of particulars. That was not so. as the only letter seat by the Birkenhead Council was the un» already quoted expressing the Council's pleasure lo consider the proposal of llir Xorthcote Council. Thr episode was regrettable, as the Councils had been working so well togetuer lately, it was not. apparently, unanimous, "as a minority of the Northcote Council i Councillors W. 11. names. E. L. Flay. Blchard Webster ami A E. Ureenslade) Lad written as follows

"Having some regard for the ethics that should he observed by one local i,,,dy towards another, we take the unusual course of addressing you for the purpose of enlir.ly disassociating ourselves from the eTrraordinarv attitude adopted by the Northcote Council In its reply to your courteous letter expressing your Council's readiness to consider the proposal initiated 0 5" the Northcote Council, that tne Birkenhead and Xorthcote pumping plants should he connected, aud it should be pointed out that the resolution forwarded to you a fortnight ago was adopted on the motion of the Mayor of Northcote. While regretling this unfortunate incident, we beg to assure you of our personal strong desire that the Councils will always be able to work harmoniously together for the comnion neal whenever community of interests it- apparent." ■-'ouuclUur K. cT. Skeates did not think say discourtesy was intended. The probability was that in sending the rirst letter the Northcote Council mid acted without thought, and subsequently discovered it Ras not reaily with its plans. TLi co;uuiuu:catious were received.