CITY WATER PRESSURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18890, 12 December 1924, Page 12

CITY WATER PRESSURE.

CORROSION OF THE PIPES.

The statement of the superintendent of the Fire Brigade to the effect that the water mains in some areas were inadequate foffire-fighting purposes, was referred to yesterday by the Mayor, Sir James Gunson. •

Sir James said the council seriously objected to the statement, and if the superintendent had been aware of the facts he would have known the poor pressure on the night of tho Ponsonby fire was not due - to the causes he alleged. When the pressuro was applied, the pipes burst in several places as they were unable to stand the strain. This occurred owing to exceptional conditions due to the class oi filling corroding the pipes from the outside, reducing their isize, and strength so that they would not stand the pressure. This was the state of affairs m one city line, and would necessitate relaying the line in Waitemata Street. Th?> filling concorned came from the Gas Company, and it had the corroding effect referred to. The reticulation and water services in the city we' adequate and sufficient for all reasonable needs of the Fire Board and otherwise, continued the Mayor. The water provided on the night of the fire was evidently enough for tho brigade to save tho property toihe greatest practical degree, as ?he walls were still standing. Admitting that it was not more than 12 minutes before the brigade reached the scene of tho fire, it would seem the result could not have been very different, notwithstanding the weakness of pressure due to corrosion in the pipes. The pipe line fault was being repaired. The pipes had been down for less than three years. It is stated by an official of the Gas Company that the filling mentioned, by the Mayor was not placed there by the company, and if it came from tho company, it was put there by the City Council.

At the meeting of the City Council last evening, tho town clerk was instructed to inform the council's representatives on the Fire Board of all the circumstances of the case, so that they might explain fairly to the board; the position from tho council's point of view.