WATER BOARD SCHEME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 186, 8 August 1930, Page 5

WATER BOARD SCHEME.

CITY STILL HOSTILE.

OPPOSITION PROPOSED

LEGISLATION" IN PARLIAMENT.

Acting on the recommendation of its Water Committee, tlie City Council decided last evening strongly to oppose the Metropolitan Water Board Bill, which has been promoted by various local bodies. In his report, the town clerk referred to the 1927 Royal Commission, which had stated that the creation of a water board would be most ill-advised and unnecessary, and would result in loss to the general body of citizens within the urban area. The- bill was very little different from thai introduced in 1926, stated the town clerk. The proposed _ water board's district would, however, include the territory of 11 local bodies, instead of 18, as in the earlier measure. Those now omitted were Birkenhead, Northcote, Avondale, One Tree Hill, Tamaki, Ellerslie, Howick and Manukau County. Henderson had been added. No Safeguard for City. The board would have powers to purchase, construct and maintain waterworks within or without the district, and the provisions were entirely without safeguard to the interests of Auckland City. The promoters of the bill were agreeable to insert a clause entitling Auckland City, if it so desired, to come in and become part of the board's district within six months from- the constitution of the board. The city could also call on the board to take over its whole waterworks undertaking, including reticulation, at a price and on terms to be settled in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Act. Strong Opposition Urged. ' The creation of the board, stated the town clerk in conclusion, would not result in cheaper water to the local bodies outside Auckland City, and would mean a general loss to the urban area. The Waterworks Committee recommended that the town clerk's report, with necessary statistical information, be sent to each local member of Parliament, and that the Mayor and the chairman of the Water Committee be empowered to take whatever steps are necessary to effectively oppose the bill. The recommendation was adopted.