WATER POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 218, 15 September 1925, Page 6

WATER POLICY.

The proposal to turn the Wairau stream into Lake Takapuna was killed last evening at a joint meeting of Northern borough councils, and the North- Shore Water Board is again faced with the problem of a stationary or dwindling supply and a rapidlyincreaeing population. Use of the Wairau water was only justifiable as a desperate remedy, and it does not seem to be proved that it is absolutely necessary to augment the Lake supply forthwith. Opinions differ as to the length of time for which the Lake will suffice, but it cannot be many years before it will become inadequate. The North Shore boroughs must begin to look for a larger supply, and we think the meeting last night did right in deciding to support the draft bill for the formation of a Provincial Water Board. The formation of the Board has been promoted in connection with the Taupo scheme, but the Board would not be bound to that scheme. Whether Taupo was the best scheme or. not would be decided when the Board was formed. The, main thing is to have combined action by the districts interested so as to solve the problem of water supply on broad lines in the best way. It is a pity that there has been so much delay that there seems little prospect of persuading Parliament to pass the Empowering Bill this session, which means that the best part of a year will be lost.