HAMILTON TOWN WATER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20074, 11 October 1928, Page 12

HAMILTON TOWN WATER

HIGH COST OF PURIFYING. ARAPUNI DIVERSION BLAMED. PROTEST TO GOVERNMENT. [BY TELUGEAPH. —OWN correspondent. ] HAMILTON, Wednesday. Indignation at tho attitude of the Government toward the question of compensation for tho extra expense involved in purifying tho Hamilton town water supply, which had been polluted as a result of the diversion at Arapuni, was expressed by the Mayor, Mr. J. R. Fow, at tho meeting of tho Borough Council this evening.

Mr. Fow said approximately £I4OO had been claimed as compensation" for dainago arising directly from the diversion of tho river, but the claim had been disallowed. Most of tho expense had been incurred in maintaining tho purifying plant and in replacing machinery worn out as a result of tho extra work placed upon it. If at tho timo tho Arapuni schemo was suggested tho council had had any idea of tho consequences, it would have made ample provision for safeguarding tho purity of tho supply. It had, however, received no indication that Ihcro was going to bo any special difficulties or extensive erosion. In failing to notify them that there was a possibility of these contingencies, tho Government was eithor negligent or giiilty of a breach of trust Tho water supply of tho town had been in jeopardy for days on end, and thero was still great anxiety as to what was going to happen. It would probably bo two years before tho troublo was past A suggestion was mado by a mcmbor that tho legal position should bo mvesti gated to discover whether it was possiblo to tako action to recover the amount expended. Information as to tho difficulty being experienced in keeping the supply clear was submitted by the engineer, Mr. 11. Worley, lie said they were still replacing part of the machinery and the filter could not cope with tho volume of water. Tho maximum load of chemicals was still being pourned into the water, and even that did not properly effect settlement. After further discussion it was decided that tho engineer and tho Mayor should go to Wellington and wait upon the I'riino Minister as soon as possible.