WATER COMMISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 78, 2 April 1927, Page 14

WATER COMMISSION.

QUESTION OF SUPPLIES.

SMALL. BODIES FAVOUR

CONTROL BOARD.

NORTH SHORE'S DILEMMA

Further evidence was heard by the Water Commission yesterday afternoon. Mr. Robert B. Todd, Mayor of Otahuhu, and Mr. L. E. Rhodes, Mayor of Mount Albert, both' stated in evidence that they favoured the establishment of a water board.

John Dawson, civil engineer, said Jie thought the country "traversed by the pipe line from Nihotupu and Waitake.e dams would always be liable to slips. Large firms in the district would welcome a scheme to provide an adequate supply of water, said Mr. F. A. Hellaby, managing director of R. and W. Hellaby, Ltd. Nearly 200,000 gallons of water were used daily at thfe firm's abattoirs, Mount Wellington, but the supply was precarious.

Lake Takapuna Falling Rapidly.

John D. Morison, Mayor of Takapuna, and a member of the North Shore Water Board, said it was agreed that Lake Takapuna could no longer be regarded as a satisfactory source of supply for the North Shore boroughs. The council favoured a water board. The North Shore Water Board would accept any scheme which the Commission deemed best. The lake had dropped from 13 feet above sea level to 11 inches above sea level, within the past 15 years.

Mr. J. H. Edwards, deputy chairman of the Howick Town Board, said that body favoured the creation of a water board. "We came to the conclusion," he said, "that the proposed Taupo scheme, if it came to anything, would suit us admirably, seeing that it would pass within five or six miles." To" Mr. Johnstone: The board had never considered the possibility of getting water from the City Council. "We Call it Soup." Alfred Hewson, chairman of the Ellerslie Town Board, and S. Hamlyn member of the Mount Wellington Road Board, stated that their boards favourestablishment of a water board. If you want water, why don't vou come to the City Council?" asked *Mr. Johnstone of the last-named witness. "To tell you the truth we don't like it, came the retort. "We call it soup!" (Laughter.) F. M. Waters, chairman of the Manukau County Council, said the three town districts within the boundaries of the county all supported the proposal to establish a water board. The council also favoured it. Mr. Johnstone asked if witness thought it would pay to reticulate farms. "Did you say you wanted pure water for the milk supply round the city?" 'TSTo, I did not say that." "Is it for watering the milk?" (Laughter.) "No. We would prefer to have town water for all purposes." "I put it to you that it would not pay to reticulate farm lands." Witness said portion of the district was regarded as suburban. "If we could be assured of the continuity of supply we could put a reticulation scheme before the ratepayers in the Mangere Hiding with some hope of success." "And you don't think the City Council could assure a sup Dlv?" "No, we don't." A. C. A. Sexton, chairman of the Manurewa Town Board,, was the last witness called by. Mr. ? Rogerson, who said he had no more local body representatives to tender. Tie chairman said the Commission' would visit the Maungatawhiri district on Saturday. The next sitting will commence at 10 a.m. on Monday..