ST. JOHN'S LAKE LEVEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18552, 9 November 1923, Page 10

ST. JOHN'S LAKE LEVEL.

SUDDEN FALL EXPLAINED.

CLEARANCE AT THE OUTLET.

STATEMENT 3Y ENGINEER.

The rapid fall in the level of Lake St. John, Ellerslie, has given rise to a report that it was being completely drained in order to test its suitability for a sports area in place of the Remuera ground shortly to be resumed by the Dilworth Trust" Board. The secretary of the Ellerslie Town Board, Mr. J. W. Carr, stated last night that the lake had fallen Bft. in a few days, and now was practically dry. This version was scouted by Mr. JW Harrison, of the firm of engineers responsible for the partial drainage of ivf lake. He thought it possible that the outlet made to lower the level of the water to sft. had become blocked and allowed the water to bank up. The subsequent removal of this blockage would permit the level to fall rapidly and give rise to the report referred to. The lowering of the lakes level was undertaken by the Waiatartm Drainage Board under authority of an Act of Parliament. Mainly through the opposition of the Onehunga Borough Council, however, the amount of water to be left in the lake at its deepest part was fixed at sft. The water was lowered to comply with the regulations and checked by tiie Government drainage engineer. the water thus covered about.43 instead of 55 acres. The restriction on the to^al drainage of the area was due to Onehunga's contention that the lake was one of the main sources of its water supply. . , When the drainage was undertaken, the board adopted the suggestion of its engineers that the outlet should be so constructed as to permit,, if it were ever authorised, the complete -"de-watenng of this area. Mr. Harrison states, however, that no such event could have occurred in the present instance, and maintains that the recent rapid fall was probably due to the outlet being blocked by rushes or other debris, and the water suddenly making its own clearance. The lake would thus quickly fall to the lowest level permitted by the Act. The outlet was under the Remuera Road into Orakei Basin. The Auckland City Council has acquired ,a reserve of 100 acres around the shores of the lake. It is the contention of Mr. Harrison and others that the complete draining of the lake would give a splendid sports ground .to replace that at Remuera. the city's reserve forming <* natural amphitheatre around it. It is also claimed that Onehunga's water supply world be in no way affected. With regard to the scenic aspect. Mr. Harrison states the lake has a soft muddy bottom, and th" effect of even a brisk breeze on the colour of the water can easily be imagined.