“SHOULD SINK ARTESIAN WELL IN SQUARE”

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 221, 21 September 1934, Page 6

“SHOULD SINK ARTESIAN WELL IN SQUARE”

Fire Board Recommends Proposal to Council

AUXILIARY WATER SUPPLY IN CASE OF EARTHQUAKE

The novel suggestion that an artesian well should bo sunlc in the Square to provide an auxiliary water service in case of an earthquake severing the pipeline from Tiritea was made to the Palmerston North lire Board yesterday. The advocate was Mr D. S. McCartney. After hearing his proposal, the board decided to recommend to the City Council that it explore the possibilities of the scheme. Mr McCartney declared that there was a definite need for an added supply to give security in case .of an earthquake or a conflagration in the centre of the city. Should Palmerston North ever ' experience a ’quake . of quite the intensity of the notorious visitations in Napier and Pahiatua, it was quite likely that the pipeline, even if carried on the new bridge, might be severed. Similarly, the Ilerctaunga bore might bo rendered useless. It would be quite practicable to sink a well in the Square, and the water could be used also for flushing the streets and to augment the duckpond supply for flre-fightiug. While it might be suggested that the matter fell within the province of the City Council and not the Fire Board, the board’s duty was to see that the water supply was wholly adequate. He moved that it be a recommendation to the City Council to investigate the possibility of sinking a well in the Square with a six-inch pipe, as an emergency against earthquake or conflagration. Mr A. E. Mansford: What quantity of water do you consider would be required to meet, such a contingency? Mr McCartney said that 1000 gallons might be sufficient in the incipient stage, but it was desirable for security’s sake to have something beyond the supply offered by the duchpond. He submitted a report from an artesian well-borer who said that wator could be had in the Square at a level of 270 feet, but not in adequate quantities. At 350 feet, however, a sixincli pipe would give a flow of 375 gallons per minute; 4-inch pipe, 200 gallons; 3-inch pipe, 100 gallons. (At Ilerctaunga street a six-inch pipe sunk to the level of 45S feet, gave 550 gallons per minute.) The well could be sunk at any point in the Square, with suitable sumps for storage. Mr Mansford: Would it reduce the present rates of insurance in t’no city area?—No; but it would give greater security. Mr L. Collinson instanced artesian wells he knew off which had ceased flowing after a severe ’quake. Mr W. H. Barnard assured the board that, if the added supply were, provided, the brigade would use it for every fire in the area. The motion was carried.

Mr McCartney said there was also a need for training brigadesmen to meet tho contingency of an earthquake. Careful preparation would avoid the possibility of panicky or thoughtless action.