EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY

Hutt News, Volume 15, Issue 20, 15 October 1941, Page 5

EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY

WELLINGTON COUNCIL'S ATTITUDE "There is no shortage of available water, and no threatened shortage in the Hutt Valley," said the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Andrews) at a meeting of the Lower Hutt City Council on Monday night, when discussing a letter addressed to the Lower Hutt City engineer . (Mr. H. R. Bach;, from the Wellington town clerk, Mr. E. I'. Norman. The letter, which was in reply to a request from the Lower Hutt Emergency Precautions Scheme for a connection of the Wellington and Hutt water supplies for use in emergencies, was considered by councillors to imply that the Lower Hutt supply was insufficient, and also that the letter was needlessly bringing up the question of Lower Hutt Council's representation on the Water Board.

"A shortage of storage in Lower Hutt, though, does exist," said Mr. Andrews. "There is also an inadequacy of distribution mains caused by the rapidity of development in this area. The water is as pure as any in New Zealand, and is> purer than most supplies. It is free from any reasonably-expected means of contamination. None of the welis referred to by some as possible sources of danger goes below 30 feet and do not touch the impervious strata above our supply.

"Agitation that is started every little while is based almost entirely on misrepresentation and largely is influenced by people with substantial interests to be served. In short," said Mr. Andrews, "the water question threatens to become one of the biggest ramps in public life in this area, and some astounding revelations may have to be brought out before it is finished."

Wellington Council's Reply,

•" Mr. Norman, in his letter, stated: 'The problems which confront your council to-day in the matter of water supply are fully appreciated and it is the desire of the Wellington Council and the Water Supply Board to collaborate in every way in order to meet the general requirements of the community as a whole. It is felt, however, that compliance with your present request might give only a false sense of security to your council and increase the difficulties of Wellington without effectively dealing with the major problem in regard to water supply with which your council will ultimately be faced, due to the diminution of probable artesian supply as the industrial and residential development of the Hutt i Valley progresses."

The matters. could be satisfactorily dealt with only by a full discussion between the parties :ccmcerhed covering the whole situation regarding water supply as it affected Wellington and the Hutt Valley,

the letter continued. A request that representatives from the Hutt Council, together with representatives from the Petone Borough Council and the Hutt River Board should meet the Water Board to discuss the matter, was made by Mr. Norman. Designed for Mutual Benefit. "The Wellington Council does not appear to realise that the connecting of the supplies is.an emergency measure," said Mr. Andrews, "and one of mutual benefit. In the case of a disastrous fire in Wellington, supplies from Lower Hutt are just as likely to be called upon."

If no satisfactory agreement was reached in negotiations with the Wellington City Council, then it would be a matter to be taken to the Minister of National Security to see that Are risk was eliminated by a sufficient water supply, said Mr. Andrews.

The following resolution was adopted:—"That the council desires to express its disappointment at the terms of the reply made by the Wellington City Council to the request, and resolves that a suitable letter be sent to that council making it clear that the request was to meet emergency conations of mutual appli<Sition and requests an opportunity of- a personal interview with representatives of the Wellington City Council, when the matter can be fully discussed."