SUBURBAN WATER SUPPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15941, 11 June 1915, Page 4

SUBURBAN WATER SUPPLY

UNITED ACTION SOUGHT

INDIVIDUAL SCHEME DEPRECATED

The matter of taking joint action in regard to securing an adequate water supply was to have been discussed by the Auckland Suburban Local Bodies' Association at its meeting last night, but in view cf the fact that the Mayor of Auckland had convened a meeting of local bodies to discuss the same question, the association decided to defer consideration of the subject.

" The day of 'tinkering' with the water supply should be ended," said the chairman, Mr. H. B. Morton. " Whatever is done at Mr. Gunson's meeting, there should be something comprehensive that will last for all time. A supply from the Maungatawhiri may be very desirable, but if local bodies spend large sums oa subsidiary schemes they will complicate the Greater Auckland question. The city finances will undoubtedly be hammered by these small schemes. It seems somewhat Gilbertian that there should be eight different sources of water supply for a population of 100,CeO people. Wo should sink minor differences and look forward to tbe ultimate supply from a source available for all time."

Mr. J. Rowo, Mayor of Onebiwga, said that his council ana the Manukau Water Supply Board intended to push forward with the Maungatawhiri scheme. Ho deprecated the action of local bodies in forwarding a resolution to the Prime Minister in an endeavour to prevent the purchase of private property forming the Maungatawhiri catchment area. Any person who said that the scheme was* a small one had no knowledge of the position. \

NORTH SHORE PROBLEM.

WATER FROM LAKE TAKAPUNA.

The borough turncock reported to the Xorthcotc Borovgh Council last night that 1,296,000 gallons of water had been pumped during the month of May, of .■which 525,000 gallons had been supplied to the- Takapuna Borough. The level of the hike showed a fall of liu for the month of May. It was decided to obtain a report upon the suggestion to instal a centrifugal pump at the lake, to act as an auxiliary to the present'pumps. The intake pipe is only about nine inches below the surface of the water, ovtfng to the fall of the level of the lake.

Reference was made in the course of a lengthy discussion to the necessity of the board of control taking prompt steps to ensure the impossibility of any water famine ensuing as tho result of the wate* in the lake becoming contaminated by the inroads of the sea through cracks which are stated to exist. The Manukau and Epsom experiences were referred to as examples which should induce both the Water Board and the Borough Council to do everything to prevent similar occurrences in the North Shore districts.