WARNING IGNORED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20619, 21 November 1941, Page 4

WARNING IGNORED

UNATTENDED HOSES

RESTRICTION IMPOSED

SUGGESTION FpR EASING Because Gisborne residents ignored the warning issued earlier in the week by the Mayor, Mr. N. H. Bull, that excessive use of water, if continued, would mean the immediate imposition of restrictions, a ban has been issued on the use of unattended garden hoses. This will be followed by a total prohiibtion of the use of hoses, if residents do not use the water reasonably. This announcement was made by the Mayor to-day, when he also made a suggestion which, if carried into effect, should be the means of delaying considerably the time when further restrictions would be necessary.

Describing his previous appeal as practically abortive, Mr. Bull said that the draw-off yesterday dropped only ,3000 gallons an hour, giving only slight and not nearly sufficient relief. When such an excessive draw-off continued, it was impossible to keep the Taumata Hill reservoir full, and the deficiency could not be made up at Waingake at night. Last week’s draw-off was the highest ever experienced in Gisborne, apart from a few occasions when large leaks developed in the main pipeline. The total which passed through the meter at Waingake last week was 9,050,000 gallons, and this total was not boosted by main pipeline leaks. Voluntary Rationing'

“If the dry conditions continue,” Mr. Bull went on, “it will not be long before the total abolition of the use of hoses will be necessary. We want to avoid this as long as possible, and I think it can be delayed for an appreciable time if the residents adopt a suggestion I have to put forward.

“To reduce the sudden-draw-off at the one time, residents should use their attended hoses at the following times:— Kaiti and Victoria Township, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Whataupoko, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Te Hapara and town area, 7 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“If they will voluntarily adopt that suggestion and do not use their hoses at any other time it will enable us to postpone the total abolition of hoses. We are using every drop of water which enters the headrace, and it will not be long, if the present rate of use is continued, before it drops below the safety level.” The attention of householders is drawn also to the necessity of having leaking taps attended to, in order to prevent waste of water.