NORTH SHORE WATER.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 188, 9 August 1924, Page 14

NORTH SHORE WATER.

PROPOSED LEGISLATION.

BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENT.

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")

WELLINGTON, Friday.

The North Shore Boroughs (Auckland) Water Supply Bill, which was introduced by Mr. A. Harris, and read a first time to-day, provides for the water supply of Birkenhead, Devonport, Northcotc, and Takapuna. Under the Act, which, if passed, will come into force in January, 1925, a water board will be set up which will have power to fix, by special order, from time to time, a scale of charges for water withdrawn from Lake Takapuna. The board will also be empowered to demand from the boroughs a sum, or sums, not exceeding £20,000 for works necessary to augment and improve the water supply of the lake, such sum or sums to be apportioned among the iaid boroughe on the basis of consumption in each borough of water from the lake during the year preceding such demand. The board will have borrowing powers, and power will bo given to undertake and maintain waterworks instead of the lake supply, as it may be deemed necessary, for the supply of the boroughs. The board may take, impound, or divert water from any etream, and make darns, reservoirs, etc. There will also be powers given to prescribe offences for causing or allowing the contamination of the lake, or any ■stream or river from which the board draws water, or diverting or obstructing any such stream or river or bathing the in.