BETTER WATER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 303, 23 December 1933, Page 7

BETTER WATER.

WHEN AVAILABLE ?

NORTH SHORE PROBLEM. MAYORS' DIVERGENT VIEWS. Views on the water supply problem on the North Shore are expressed by the Mayors of those northern boroughs. Where possible some Idea is given of the time which will elapse in each of them before a better supply will be available, together with some estimate of the cost. Devonport, said Mr. H. F. W. Meikle, Mayor of the Borough, had already ensured a good and palatable supply for itself. "We consider," he added, "that we are now supplying our own residents, and those of Takapuna, which borough buys water from us, with good and palatable water, and that we have secured an adequate supply for all needs until such time as we find a source for augmentation, or a supply entirely distinct from the lake." In other words, said Mr. Meikle, the treatment plant, installed by the borough, was a success. The cost of the plant was some £5500, £5000 being the contract price, and the rest for incidentals. The added cost to the consumers per 1000 gallons would be something under a half-penny. (Devonport charges its water rates oil the meter system.) As a subsidiary, to be used for augmenting the lake supply, Devonport considered that the upper Wairau scheme was worthy of close examination. Water as good as that from the Waitakeres was to be had in sufficient quantities to raise the level of the lake four feet a year, so that there was more water available from that source than the borough would want for years to come. The area would serve 40,000 people. Relations with Other Boroughs. Representatives from the Takapuna and the Devonport Borough Councils had met on December 11, said Mr. Meikle. They had held a round-table conference, had exchanged views freely, and much aood had come of it. Both viewpoints were now clearer, ana a better understanding had been arrived at. Devonport

had appointed a small committee of three to confer with a like number from Takapuna on the whole' matter of the water supply. Devonport had ratified that committee; but as Takapuna would not meet until the end of January, the matter would not come up for discussion until that time. As far as the other two boroughs, Northcote and Eirkenliead, were concerned, Mr. Meikle said that Devonport had asked them to come in with his borough in its scheme. Birkenhead had refused, and Northcote, while not actually Vefusing, had waited for so long without replying, that Devonport had not been able to afford to wait. "If Northcote chose to join us I personally would have no objection to offer, and I think I am speaking for my council." Mr. Guiniven on the Future. "Assuming that the amalgamation of the four North Shore boroijghs is essential, and meets witn the approvalof local ratepayers in general, it must follow that there should be one common source of water supply," said Mr. J. Guiniven, Mayor of Takapuna. "Tinkering by way of. temporary expedients will never get North' Shore councils anywhere. Generally speaking, water is much the same as electricity as regards cost—the greater tlie consumption, the cheaper the cost to consumers. "If the four borough councils agreed to purchase water from the City Council the price to consumers should not exceed 1/9 per 1000 gallons. The level of Lake Pupuke has been failing approximately one foot per year, and as the annual yield by rainfall is not equivalent to the consumption, not to mention continual evaporation, it is only a matter of time when a new source of supply must be obtained. Once tlie ' suggested Wairau scheme was explained to local ratepayers, it would be ignominiously turned down. "As an alternative to the city supply, North Shore councils could combine with other local bodies and request the Government to bring down a metropolitan, or better still, a Provincial Water Board Bill. Water could then be obtained from the Waikato River beyond the point of pollution, and sold to consumers at 25 per cent below city prices. "However, parochial division on local water' supply must be fatal to the progress of the North Shore boroughs, and Birkenhead would be wise to delay action in" securing an independent supply held by other public men, I believe the in the meantime.. , .

"Personally, regardless of the views i ratepayers could be persuaded to com-| bine with a view of obtaining a new source of water supply." j

Northcote's Position. The conclusion adduced from the statement by the Mayor of Northcote, Mr. R. Martin, is Northcote will not have an improved supply for an appreciable time. , .

"Northcote electors have rejected the proposal to take city water which was promised in 14 weeks from even date," he said, "and an alternative for better water, a filter system at Lake Pupuke, is now being investigated by the council." The installation was promised in 11 weeks from the delivery of the order. In the event of the council, after obtaining all details of cost, deciding on such a scheme, it would be necessary to submit it to the Local Bodies' Loans Board requesting authority to place loan proposals before the ratepayers, headded, and then to obtain the consent of the latter. "Legal requirements will I involve a period of approximately 13 j weeks before a favourable poll can be secured and the order placed, or 24 j weeks from the time the council con- ] siders the proposal. Then there is the I falling lake problem to consider and the [ question of its augmentation, altogether I most difficult and. costly problems." |

As for estimated costs, Mr. Martin j said that the filter proposal would amount to, as far as he could judge, about £1500; but"he would not know until expert advice had been received. Added to that, there might be engines, pumps and many other requirements before the filters could be set to work. "From what I have said, the cost to the consumer per 1000 gallons' l is hardly calculable." , /

Birkenhead to Discuss Further. I Mr. G. Mills, Mayor of Birkenhead, j' said he received yesterday afternoon notification that Xhe clause in the Local ! Legislation Bill, empowering his council i to contract with the Auckland City j Council for a term of 21 years instead i of three only, had been passed by both ! Houses of Parliament. j "We are calling a special meeting on ! Wednesday to revfcw the whole matter," added Mr. Mills, "and as soon as. the contract with the city is rejected or ratified by the council at that meeting, I will make a comprehensive statement covering the activities of the present and previous council since I have been connected with the borough." (