RIVAL SCHEMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 252, 25 October 1933, Page 3

RIVAL SCHEMES.

WATER FOR CITY NEEDS. MANUFACTURERS DIVIDED. The question of rival water supplies for the city was discussed by the Auckland Manufacturers' Association yesterday afternoon. The matter was referred to the general committee of tlie association for a report. Mr. S. Takle, who introduced the subject, said the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, considered that the manufacturers should be asked to give it consideration. The adoption of the Waikato scheme, he said, would mean an increase of 2Ad in the £, owing to the increased cost to the city because of the loss of custom of some outer boroughs. It was generally recognised that certain utilities were best served by the municipality. The cost of water to the manufacturers would be increased'. From a different point of view, it seemed hardly desirable that tliire should be that competition. The city ratepayers would lose £30,000, and the boroughs concerned would gain £4000. He moved that the general committee consider and report on the matter. A different view was taken by Mr. C. A. Whitney, who defended the Waikato project. It was noticeable, he said, that as soon as the City Council heard of the Waikato scheme, it brought down the offered price by 3d per 1000 gallons. "Here we have been watching the finest source of water in the world, flowing past our doors for years," he said, "1,000,000 gallons a second, I think. The city is not going to remain at a population of 250,000 for ever, and all the reservoirs will not be enough for the people. We must look further afield for our supply —and it is at out very doors." He deprecated the criticism that had been made since the Waikato scheme was first hejrd of, about drainage in the Waikato. The water from that river could be cleansed, just in the same way as water from the Waitakeres was cleansed at present, and at a very much less cost. He thought that the association should urge the city to co-operate with the Waikato scheme, and when it wanted more water, to take it from the Waikato. He moved an amendment to that effect, but it lapsed for want of a seconder. The chairman, Mr. A. W. Parker, opposed both motion and amendment. He said not sufficient was known about either proposal to make an accurate report. Mr. Takle, replying, said he did not oppose the scheme that the city should take its water from the Waikato; but the time was not yet ripe. There was enough water held by the city to last for 10 years. When the time did come, he thought that the supplying body should be controlled by those districts concerned. The motion was lost.