WATER FROM CITY

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 9, 11 January 1934, Page 13

WATER FROM CITY

TAKAPUNA PETITIONS.! COUNCIL TAKES NO ACTION. OFFER from: devonport. Petitions were received by the Takapuna Borough Council last evening requesting that body 'to- arrange for a poll to be taken in connection with the suggested purchase of water from the Auckland City Council. The council decided to defer consideration of the petitions indefinitely. The Mayor, Mr. J. Guiniven, who presided, said that there seemed to be rather a "mix-up," because Northcote had not settled its mind about a source for water supply. Takapuna could not afford alone to take water from the city, but if Northcote decided to do so, then they should be in a position to do something more definite. The water at present was bad. The Water Board had been coppersulphating the lake, and this had caused fish to die. He exhibited a bottle containing small fish which had been killed fby the process. Mr. C. Clifton said that the water was not killing fish in small fountains. The copper sulphate was so greatly diluted that it should have no harmful effect. Mr. J. Waddell did not think that any animal life could go into the pipes. He described the purification processes with which the lake supply was treated, and the careful way in which the copper sulphate was administered. When the chemical was put into the water at a particular spot, it was only to be expected that a few small fish would be killed until the solid was dissolved and dispersed. The Mayor: This has been a very good summer so far, so I don't know what is going to happen in a bad summer. I have received a great number of complaints, mostly from Devonport. Mr. Waddell: I am quite satisfied that the main thing they have to contend with is the flavour of this oil. They are trying to kill the fine weed on which the oily" protozoa feed, and when the copper sulphate does that, the protozoa cannot exist. Devonport Offers Reduction. An offer was received from the Devonport Borough Council to supply water to Takapuna at IOAd a thousand gallons, plus any levies made by the North; Shore Water Board, the terin of contract to be three years. Three delegates were also asked for to attend a proposed meeting of a committee of the two councils to discuss the questions of price and length of contract. The Mayor advised the council to go slowly. He thought they would be very unwise to enter into a contract until the water was of a definitely better quality. Mr. G. M. Galbraith said that men were working night and day in an effort to better the supply. The new purification plant should be given a chance. * Mr. T. M. Polio: Devonport is supplying us only on a weekly or monthly tenancy, but now we are offered water over a;'three-year period at Id a thousand gallons less than at present.- I would, lil& to/; the-council enter;-into-this contract. It is only a reasonable business proposition. Devonport is entitled to some sort of a safeguard, so .that they will have some encouragement to go ahead with a better filtration scheme. As for the Water Board levy, we would be billed for that in any case. _ J The Mayor: Devonport offered it to Northcote at Od some time ago. They are making a good profit on it, and I don't think we should tie ourselves up. Mr. Polio: But here we have an opportunity of getting water a penny cheaper than at present. Conference Favoured. The Mayor: They are pirates. They are stealing our water while we are losinn-! £1500 a year in rates from lake properties.* Mr. Polio: Whether they are pirates or not, they are willing to meet us in regard to the loss 'in rates. The Mayor: They haven't been in the past. Mr.Rollo: Well, I am assured that they will now: The Mayor: I have 9poken to them dozens of times, and they have never backed down from their attitude on the rates question. Mr. M. L. Wilkins moved that delegates be appointed to confer with Devonport on the questions of. price and contract, and that the consideration of any contract for the supply of water be. deferred. The motion was carried, and Messrs. J. Waddell, G. M. Galbraith, and M. L. Wilkins were appointed delegates without power to act.