BLAKETOWN WATER

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 February 1947, Page 4

BLAKETOWN WATER

SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN PRESSURE LONG-STANDING TROUBLE Following the rain yesterday and, possibly, the publicity given to the need for discretion in the use of water, ia slight improvement was recorded in the water pressure at Blaketown last evening. However, it is emphasised by officers of the Fire Brigade that, in the event of a fire in the suburb, the co-operation of residents in’ immediately turning off hoses and other taps would be essential. The superintendent of - the Fire The superintendent of the Fire Brigade, Mr. T. Mclntosh, stated today that the tests at Blaketown on Monday evening indicated that there had been a serious deterioration in the pressure over the past 12 months, when the brigade last made fullscale tests in the area. This he attributed to the abnormal draw-off through hoses, as a result of the dryspell. He emphasised that, as far as the brigade was concerned, nd suggestion was made that residents should discontinue using hoses but they should know of the necessity for shutting them off in the event of an alarm. Fire Brigade Tests. At intervals .of about a fortnight, the brigade makes tests of the pressure in the mains in various parts of the town and has recently confined its attention to outlying areas. In most cases the pressures have been satisfactory. The exception was Blaketown, although this did not come as a surprise as the residents, the Borough Council and the brigade have been aware for some years that the demand in that suburb has outgrown the existing reticulation .system. It is understood that the installation of a new and larger '‘system is included in the postwar plan of works prepared by the Borough Engineer, Mr. A. J. Fairmaid, who is at present attending the Dominion gas conference in Christchurch. In the meantime, Blaketown householders are definitely handicapped, both from the point of view of efficiency in the water supply and expense. The fire insurance premiums payable on property in Blaketown are the highest in Greymouth and, in fact, from this point of view Blaketown is in the same position as if there was no water supply at all, the premiums being the same as for country districts. Insurance Premiums. This situation was the subject of negotiations between the Blaketown and Preston Road Citizens’ Association- and the underwriters some years ago, but after protracted discussions the underwriters adhered to their decision that no reduction could be made in the premiums payable until such time as the water supply system in the suburb was improved. The comparative rates for fire insurance in the various parts of the borough are as follows: Fully detached buildings (30ft. clearance). —Town area, 3/9; Cobden, 4/6; Blaketown (40ft. clearance), 5/8; not fully-detached buildings.—Town area, 4/3; Cobden, 4/9; Blaketown, 7/-. The country rate is 5/8. ' In addition to paying more for their insurance cover, Blaketown householders are. occasionally handicapped by the lack of pressure in the water pipes, hot water systems failing to work at their maximum efficiency. The only permanent remedy, apparently, is the laying of larger pipes to cope with the increased demand created by the growth of the suburb.