WATER SUPPLY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 241, 12 October 1933, Page 9

WATER SUPPLY.

FULL CONFERENCE PROPOSED

DEVOXPOUT DECISION,

"The more interest we arouse in this subject the more we shall not from it," said Mr. H. F. W. Meikle, Mayor of Devonport, at the meeting of the Borough Council last evening, when an invitation from the Takapuna Borough Council was received proposing that a committee of two representatives from each council be set up to confer with the North Shore Water Board. Their purpose would be to investigate the various suggested sources of water supply. Mr. H. J. Hutehings had suggested that there was no need for the council to send delegates, as they would not have power to vote for any resolution without referring it back to the council. "A thing that most of the' boroughs have at the back of their minds," said Mr. Meikle, "is the amount of money they have individually invested in water supply. 1 think it would be a backward step if anything should happen whereby the board should cease to function. It was set up in order that the four North Shore boroughs should be able to get water at a reasonable figure. "If they are prepared to net an the Xorth Shore Water Board, they should take over everything. That would require legislation, which would be very difficult at the present time. There is a resolution standing to-day that the board should take over the whole of the assets of the North Shore boroughs as far as they are concerned with water supply." He moved that two delegates be appointed, in order to assist the board to function properly. It could not do that entirely, however, until it had the power to sell water, and the money to control the present assets. . An amendment was moved by Mr. E. Aldridge that the Water Board should be asked to convene a meeting of all borough councillors of the North Shore, and the members of the- Waitemata County Council, to come to some agreement which would benefit all boroughs. Mr. Aldridge contended that it was time that essential services, such as water, fire fighting, drainage and refuse removal, should come under one control. Mr. W. F. M. MacLcan thought that such a meeting would form a good basis for amalgamation. The amendment was carried.

BIRKENHEAD ATTITUDE.

The Birkenhead Council resolved last night-to request the Mayor of Takapuna to convene a combined meeting of all members of the four North Shore councils, and to invite the Mayor of Auckland and representatives of the Waikato Water Supply Company to give full particulars of the city and Waikato schemes, and of all sources investigated by the North Shore Water Board. It was suggested that the meeting should be held at Takapuna next Thursday, if suitable, but failing that the Birkenhead Council will convene the conference. After a dideenssion in committee the council gave the Mayor, Mr. O. Mills, authority to negotiate with the Auckland City Council for arranging a supply for Birkenhead only. No action was taken on the Takapuna Council's suggestion. CONFERENCE AT TAKAPUNA. The Mayor of Takapuna (Mr. .T. Guinivem) has. called a conference to be held at the Takapuna Borough Council office on the afternoon of October 19 to discuss a water supply for the North Shore.