WATER PRESSURE FOR CHURCH ORGAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 February 1931, Page 4

WATER PRESSURE FOR CHURCH ORGAN

NELSON MAINS TOO SMALL

LARGER SUPPLY AND BIGGER

PIPES NECESSARY This summer the Presbyterian Church in Nile street has experienced considerable inconvenience on account of the water pressure not being great enough to blow their organ for the Sunday morning services. At last night s meeting of the Nelson City Council a letter was received complaining of the inadequate supply, and a deputation waited on the Council to support the letter. The Rev. McCosh explained that it had been found necessary at times, owing to the low water pressure, to blow the organ by man power, which was a strenuous job. He hoped the Council could do something which would enable the church to have sufficient power. Two other speakers supported Mr McCosh’s request, and tho Mayor (Mr W. J. Moffatt) gave the deputation an assurance that their representations would receive careful consideration. The City Engineer (Mr J. G. Littlejohn) explained to the Council that the Church was connected with the low level supply, and could not be put on the high pressure main unless the pipes were taken the length of Tasman street. The only possible way of overcoming the difficulty was by keeping the Norhianby bridge pumps going in those hours. The engineer said the time was hot far away when Nelson would have to have more water and larger pipes. The deficiency in the pipes was the trouble, he said, but- if the pipes were made large enough to carry adequate water, the present reservoir supply would not be anywhere near great enough. At present the small mains are the salvation of the water supply. Councillor S. A. Gibbs considered a way to conserve the water would be to meter all extraordinary supplies such as from outside taps. There was a remit prepared to go before the Municipal Conference seeking legal power to do it.

The Engineer said the Auckland Council charged 5s extra for each outside hose tap. The Mayor, asking how much air pressure was necessary to blow the organ, suggested that tbe Church instal a. compressed air plant such as free air plants in garages. They could then tap air from the container. ' « ■ , The Engineer said the public was under the impression that the inadequate pressure was on account of the supply. That was not so; it was the fault of the mains. “You cannot run a garden hose service and domestic service off the same main,” he said. The Electrical Engineer said it was often not possible to run the pumps during morning church hours as that was the most convenient and only time for adjustments to be made at the works. After further discussion the City Engineer was instructed to meet the Church Trust Board and make any suggestions which he thinks may heip the Church to receive an adequate supply.