LIMIT ON HOSING LIKELY AS RESULT OF LOW PRESSURE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22820, 15 December 1948, Page 8

LIMIT ON HOSING LIKELY AS RESULT OF LOW PRESSURE

With the hot weather of the past few days, a great deal of hosing has been carried out in the borough and consequently pressures in the mains have dropped, particularly between 5 and 8 p.m.

Concern at the drop in pressure was expressed at last night’s meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council, when a motion was carried rescinding a previous resolution which stated that hoses could be used so long as they were held in the hand.

In place of this resolution was substituted one giving power to the town clerk and the engineer to enforce when, if they thought necessary, restricted hours of hosing. The hours set were: Te Hapaia and town, 5 n.m. to 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Kaiti and Victoria Township. 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and G p.m. to 7 p.m.; Whataupoko, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Evening: Draw-off

There was still plenty of water at Waingake, but the pipeline to the borough was unable to cope with the draw-off, said the Mayor, .Mr. N. H. Bull. Pressures were very low during the evening, this being caused by the excessive use of hoses.

He pointed out that even when the Mangapoike dam was connected, probably next month, pressure would not improve as the pipeline could not cope with the draw-off. If conditions did not improve it would be necessary to impose the restricted hours of hosing. Other councillors pointed out that with the low pressure in the mains there would be little water for firefighting should a serious fire occur. In addition residents on the higher levels of the borough were deprived of running water for the greater part of each day. Action On Fire Alarm An appeal to borough residents to turn off all hoses and taps when the fire siren sounded had been made by Mr. Bull earlier in the meeting. In a letter to the council, the secretary of the Gisborne Fire Board pointed out that pressure in the borough mains at present was fairly low, particularly between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Therefore all hoses and taps should be turned off immediately there was a fire alarm, in order to help build up the pressure in the mains for firefighting. The engineer, Mr. G. M. Beaumont, stated that the pressure in the mains in Te Hapara at 7.30 p.m. yesterday was 51b. instead of 601 b. “If the fire siren sounds, every citizen is asked to turn off his hose and his tap,” said the Mayor.