WATER SUPPLY PROTESTS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28438, 19 November 1957, Page 7

WATER SUPPLY PROTESTS

Upper Riccarton Meeting

"We want immediate relief whether it be by water-cart or anything else but we must have water.”

This remark was typical of the comments made by residents of Upper Riccarton at a public meeting held in the Riccarton School last evening, when the supply of the Sockburn County Town District was discussed.

More than 70 residents of Sockburn and Upper Riccarton attended the meeting, which was held to elect members of the Sockburn County Town Committee. Most of them were from the Upper Riccarton area. The chairman of the Sockburn County Town Committee (Mr J. H. Deaver) had to answer many questions about the. water supply in Upper Riccarton. Hosing Restriction

The meeting decided to ask that the Waimairi County Council immediately restrict garden hosing from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in that part of the county which would affect the Upper Riccarton water supply. The same restrictions were asked to be applied to the Paparua county. It was also decided to inform the District Medical Officer of Health of the action taken and ask for his support. A suggestion by Cr. A. Fazackerley. the County Council membei of the committee, that residents could eliminate the use of hoses was greeted with derision. “We haven’t got any water to water the garden with.’’ cried several persons. Councillor’s Report After reading a report on committee activities during the year Mr Weaver asked Cr. Fazackerley to report on the water supply position in Upper Riccarton. “Do I have to wait so long before I get a bath.” shouted one man when Cr. Fazackerley said that the new Auburn avenue pumping station would not be in operation until the first week of January, 1958. “It was originally anticipated that the new Auburn avenue pumping station would be in operation before now. but there have been extraordinary ground difficulties which have held back work.” said Cr. Fazackerley. “I can fully appreciate the difficulties of those of you who are dependent on the Upper Riccarton system and are suffering shortages of water at the present time.’’

Cr. Fazackerley said that the Waimairi County Council, which was responsible for the supply of water to the area, was doing everything possible to improve the situation.

Pumping Station Delay The Waimairi County Council had anticipated some difficulty in the area because of the hold up with the new pumping station and was now making two further connexions to the system.

The eight-inch booster-pipe across Riccarton road to Hansons lane would be completed by the end of the week and should increase the supply, he said.

i “Until the Auburn avenue sta tion comes into operation it doe:

seem that we have a difficult period to go through in spite of the other improvements that are being rushed through at the present time. It will be obvious to you that some conservation of the available water is essential in the meantime to ensure that at least sufficient is available for normal domestic requirements, said Cr. Fazackerley.

“You say ‘restrict hosing’,” said one woman in the audience. “We have six persons in our house and we haven't had a bath since last Thursday night. When are w* going to get one?”

Other residents said there was insufficient water to flush lavatories and none for fire-fighting

The following were elected to the county town committee:-

Ward I (Upper Riccarton area below Main South road): Messrs T. S. Dowdle and B. F. Calcott.

Ward II (Middlepark area)’ Messrs E. C. Britnell and H. G. Gillman. No nomination was received for the Sockburn area, and it was decided that further nominations would be called at a later date.