WATER PROTECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 215, 11 September 1928, Page 18

WATER PROTECTION.

LAKE PUPUKE SUPPLY. EFFORTS TO PREVENT. POLLUTION. PROPOSED REGULATIONS DISCUSSED. With a view to preventing the Lake Pupuke water supply from tbe possibility of pollution, the North Shore Boroughs Water Board is taking steps to have enacted by-laws that are calculated to restrict the use of the watershed. At its meeting westerday the board discussed the proposed regulations in detail, and untimately the board's engineer, Mr. F. E. Powell, was instructed to prepare an estimate of the cost of denning by survey the catch - water area, it being deemed eoential that such a step should be taken It; case of litigation arising in connection with various restrictions it is intended to impose. Mr. A. M. Gould was authorised to prepare the necessary by-laws and it is hoped to finalise these before the end of the year. Prior to this the board has protected the catchment area largely through the Health Act and by proclamation. Restrictions on Animals.

One of the most vital points raised was that in respect to the keeping of animals and birds in the area. Dr. H. H. Chesson, representing the Health Department, urged the prohibition of the establishment of stables, cowsheds or piggeries over the whole area, the board agreeing to adopt this principle. It was also agreed to prohibit oxen and horses from within four chains of the lake, and the keeping of dogs and pigs within the area. Poultry yards and poultry houses are also to be prohibited within the watershed, and the birds themselves are to be kept at a distance from the lake, and no rubbish or waste is to be kept in the area. In regard to sanitation, Dr. Chesson aaid no sewer could be guaranteed as water-tight, and for that reason he did not favour the construction of a sewer within the area. However, he did not raise objection to a house connection running to a sewer outside the basin. Consideration of the policy in respect to existing premises was deferred, but it was agreed to follow the advice of the Health Department so far as future buildings were concerned. Boating and Dwellings, It was pointed out that there was no power conferred upon the board giving jurisdiction to prohibit or regulate the construction of dwelling houses, but it was resolved to induce all applicants for permits to conform to the requirements of the medical officer of health. According to Mr. Gould there, was no express power to deal with boating on the lake. "I doubt whether it is competent for the board to prohibit boating unless in itself it is calculated to become or create a nuisance," he said. The mere fact that it encouraged human beings to be on or in the vicinity of X* v« w ? uld A** l thUk > warrant the prohibition of boating, because there it no power to prohibit the access of people to the lake, but only power to prohibit acts calculated to cause contamination." Dr. Chesson believed the board could never prohibit boating, arid; after due consideration of the Matter it was held over in the meantime. Conveniences at Kitchener Park. Referring to Kitchener Park and provision of public conveniences there, Mr. gould said if there was any riurtter in connection with the park tending to endanger the purity of the it couTd probablv be disposed of by co£ Council. Until he is advised what requirement on the use of Kitchener Park was proposed it was impossible for him within the board's powers. It was reP** the re «*»tions now «SS, n f ™ m £ 7?** *■" with cattle wadmgm the lake, complaints having been received concerning this nuisance.