BOROUGH WATER.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 12400, 13 November 1934, Page 3

BOROUGH WATER.

MAINTAINING ADEQUATE

SUPPLY,

FIRE DANGERS STRESSED

UNDERGROUND SOURCE'S RE EXAMINED.

Proposals for ensuring an ( ample supply of water for any dry period in the borough were lengthily discussed at a conference between the Gisborne Fire Board and representatives of the Borough Council. There werepresent at the meeting Messrs. B. S. Bree (chairman), H. F. Forster. F, C. TI. Ilenderson and John Jackson, together with the superintendent, Mr. J. Kane! Mr. Jackson also appeared in his capacity as Mayor when discussing the subject,'and with, him were Cr. D. S. Thompson, the borough engineer, Mr. E. R. Thomas, and the town clerk, Mr. W. M. Jenkins.

At the outset, the Mayor pointed out that Taumata Hill would not be satisfactory until a second pipe line was constructed, one line to keep the reservoir continuously filled and the other to feed the town. The only course appeared to be to raise a loan of £6OOO or £7OOO to complete the project as originally proposed. In such event the borough would require an assurance that reduced insurance premiums would result. To secure full pressure from Taumata Hill it would he necessarv to cut off the Te Aral supply, when pressure was low, or the Taumata pressure Would go up the Te Arai line. The horomzh engineer mentioned that from Taumata Rill thev could maintain a static pressure of 961hs. Under the recent trial, however, when Te Arai was cut dopn to flfilbs. the pressure from Taumata Hill rose to only Gfilbs, which is. insufficient for fire-fighting purposes. MY. Bree pointed out. that the board feared , that, if the water were shut off in the boroup-h. it would not. be long Before all mains were empire, which meant a serious risk to the town. The engineer, however, considered there was no occasion for fear on that score, since there would alwavs be sufficient water at Taumata ’ Hill for fire fighting. With a second pine line, the Te Arai supplv would be flowing into Taumata all the time. If a- -serious position arose the town supply could be entirely cut off in order to fill the reservoir. Pressure could be raised very cmiekly, the recent tests showing a rise in one minute from 71bs. to Solbs., with 601bs. registered five minutes later. The only factor which would bring the pressure down to a minimum was a break in the line, which was all the more reason for a second pipeline. Te Arai would always he feeding Tau mata reservoir and 500,000 gallons would be reserved for fire-fighting. Mr. Bree, touching on the matte 1 ’ of insurance rates, stated that Gisborne was rated already on the assumption that it had an adequate and reliable fire-fighting supply, whereas this was not the case. If the double pipe line were laid, the supply would be brought up only to what it should be under the present premiums. He could nob speak with authority on what the companies would flo if a request were made for lower rates in event of a. double line being installed. The engineer, replying to further questions, stated that, if To Arai supply failed, Taumata Hill would he turned on. As soon as a gang went out to repair a leak in the main line, Taumata Hill was turned on. No steps had been taken to fill the reservoir from artesian wells. In the course of subsequent general discussion, it was mentioned that a supply at the old Taruheru works had been suggested as ■ a means of augmenting the borough supply, for instance, by pumping into the Taw mata reservoir. The Fire Board, it wa3 also mentioned, bad placed a sum on the estimates to enable thorough investigation into the possibilities of bores and was willing to co-operate with the Borough Council in the matter. Not more than three-fifths of the property in town was insured, it was stated. Eventually it was decided to continue present investigations into sources of underground water supply. Should water diviners agree on a specific point, the supply will be tested.