THE WAIRAU STREAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 211, 7 September 1925, Page 8

THE WAIRAU STREAM.

fTo tbo ! Bir.--Kepl.vin? to Mr. Walton's tetter published in War issue.of the -2nd inst. re Wairau Stream, I wish, as chairman of the North Shore Boroughs "Water Board, to state that Mr. Walton is in error in stating that no resolution has been carried by the board to divert this ; stream into Lake Pupnke, as such a j resolution was passed unanimously at I the last meeting. At the previous meetinn- of the board, when.Mr. Walton was present, it was agreed that the board would meet 2S days later. Mr. Walton knew the date of the meeting from that time: besides which he got the usual notice about a week before the appointed j date, and yet lie did not attend or send any excuse for absence, but now finds fault in the public Frees with what the other members of the board have done. Tliß decision wa? come to by the board on a report by the engineer, who had the work in hand before the dissolution of the Lake Board of Control, of which I Mr. Walton was also a member. Mr. i Walton states the Health Department ! condemned the Wairau Stream, but I would remind Mr. Walton that he vtm one of a deputation to the Minister of Public Health on December 10. 1923,• when the spokesman of the deputation,; Mr. Gould, Mayor of Takapuna,' mado ! the following- statement: "The board i> unanimous in the view that to secure an adequate water supply from a source (outside the AVairau and Lake Takapunp. would occupy seven years, and that to rely upon the Lake alone as at present for seven years is dangerous. The population of the boroughs is rapidly increasing, and the drainage schemes either in operation or contemplation render the immediate augmentation of the supply absolutely necessary. Your Department has told us that the drainage works in Birkenhead, Northcote, Takapuna, and some parts of Devonport are absolutely essential; these works are going to deplete the water supply. The board is advised by its engineer tha,t there is no feasible proposition for augmentation of the water supply except from the Wairau Stream. Your Department is prepared to approve of the water of the Upper Wairau; the cost of a temporary scheme is excessive, and it would take a considerable time to instal j the'necessary works, it being estimated :at £30.000, with an additional £50.000 I for the purchase of land, total £80,000. I The only alternative is ihe Lower I Wairau. Your Department should state {definitely and finally, one way or the ■ other, whether the Lower Wairau is under the circumstances allowed, subject to safeguards, as a means of temporary augmentation, or whether it will not be allowed. There has been a certain amount of uncertainty in the correspondence: these views represent those of the late Mr. Greville. The board is not prepared to shoulder the responsibility of resorting to the. Lower Wairau unless your Department will say that they will allow it as a necessary means of safeguarding the public temporarily, even though they do not approve of it. "Sir Maui Pomare: In other word.s. you want us to take the responsibility? : "Mr. Gould: We are not prepared to shoulder the responsibility without the consent of the Department; we want to bring home to your Department this— that if the Lower Wairau scheme is not adopted a very serious condition is <roin~ to arise My own view is that there is no choice but to go to the Lower Wairau. There are no other feasible means except the Upper Wairau Stream which will take a considerable I time, and we want quick augmentaI tion. So far as I can gather, the obiee- ! lion of the officers of your Department Ito thei use of the water is confined to this—.there is a possibility of failure of the human element in the sterilisationin all thinge we have to allow for j failure. \our Department did suejrest I the mstallwtion of Candy De Chlor I niters for the purpose of sterilisation of the water before it entered the Lake. Jhe board suggested sterilisation before the water enters the Lake: the scheme is not to sterilise the waters of the Lower Wairau, but just to take a sufficient quantity when the water is at its best and purest, and run it off rapidly into the Lake, and there store it." The Minister gave his consent, rnakin" it quite clear that it had to be looked upon as a temporary measure. The -North Shore Boroughs Water Board has simply put into operation the decisions ot the Lake Board of Control; and while we are exposed to c-ritioism and condemnation by those who have not an opportunity of understanding the real position, we have a right to expect help anil loyalty from our own member.*.— I am. etc., THOMAS LA MONT. Chairman North Shore Boroughs Water Board.