Councillors Turn Water Diviners

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 234, 3 October 1936, Page 4

Councillors Turn Water Diviners

INSPECTION OF VOCrEL STREET BORE. ‘‘l think ho is off the line of greatest, flow,” commented Cr W. B. Tennent when members of the City Council inspected the artesian well site in Vogel street yesterday. Cr Tennent, armed with a Y shaped cutting off a rowan tree, had been demonstrating his powers as a water deviner while the remaining Councilors looked on impressively. With measured steps Cr. Tennent walked here and there in the vicinity of the bore marking spots where the “rod” came under the “spell.” At the conclusion ho directed the attention of the gallery to the fact that these spots were all in line and a yard or two out from the location of the bore.

The "Times” gathered from what was eventuating that the Couucil is just a little bit concerned about the Vogel street artesian. The bore has been sent down to about '*2o feet with no water except a small flow' at about 250 feet. Vcsterday the contractor was not working on the job but whether he had been told to stop, the reporter was unable to ascertain. However, workmen were still busy with the erection of the steel reinforcing for the large holding reservoir adjacent the artesian site. Cr Tennent, in answer to a question, said he considered the main supply was about 500 feet down but this could not be ascertained definitely till actual measurements were taken. So it looks as if the Council will have to keep on a little longer before it can definitely declare the present bore worthless. The spot for the bore was marked originally by another water diviner of repute. An adjournment was made to the adjacent open country w'here a much stronger flow of water was divined. Tho Mayor, other members of the Council and Press representatives tried their skill with varying degrees of success.