NORTH SHORE WATER SUPPLY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1932, Page 6

NORTH SHORE WATER SUPPLY.

Your correspondent Mr. J. Hislop is evidently of the opinion that the North' Shore Water Board should immediately augment the existing local water supply : by transporting the polluted waters of the Lower Wai-; rau Creek into Lake Pupuke, and erroneously quotes the works of Chisholm-Don and Houe•ton in support of his contention. Houston made it quite clear that the first consideration in securing a water supply is the greatest initial purity. If Mr. Hislop's suggestion war given effect to hundreds of acres of first-class agricultural and 'building land would have, to be purchased, otherwise the North Shore residents would in time be compelled to drink sterilised sewage. Furthermore, medical authorities throughout the world are unanimously of the opinion that the health, of the" people depends to a great extent upon the quality,of the water consumed. Your correspondent's . contention that vested interests in the lake' wish to ouet people from the best natural reservoir in New Zealand is absolutely incorrect, as local residents and the Takapuna Council realise that the lake must ever remain as an auxiliary supply even ifi another source of supply is obtained. Obviously the water question cannot, as Mr. Hfelop thinks; be allowed to develop into a, parochial dispute owing to the amount of community interest' existing the four marine boroughs. But personally, as a member-of the board, I am strongly opposed to unwarranted expendi- , ture of any kind' at ; a time when many-North ■ Shore ratepayers are finding it difficult .•to mateende meet, and when, there ds an abundance.; of water in the lake for.several years to come; The theory about the possibility of the lake becoming brackish, is not serious enough for consideration—an fact it is a geological imposrsibility, as careful investigation will prove. It is evident that the Government, will.have eventually to come to the local .bodies', assistance in the way of arranging a conversion loan, enabling the rates to be reduced, and... when that becomes a reality it will be time enough to discuss a new eource of supply for the North Shore. Nothing can be gaine&.by tinkering with petty schemes, which, would, ■have to be abandoned in a few years. J. GUINIVEN, - ■ - Mayor of Takapun*.