BORING FOR WATER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21400, 26 January 1933, Page 11

BORING FOR WATER

MANUFACTURERS' PROTEST

EFFECT UPON INDUSTRIES A strong protest against proposals to restrict and control the sinking of bores for water in the One Tree Hill and Onehunga boroughs was made by a deputation, representing manufacturing interests, to the One Tree Hill Borough Council last evening. The two borough councils concerned are introducing into Parliament a bill embodying the proposals. The leader of the deputation, Mr. J. McKenzie Wilson, said the protest was being voiced on behalf of manufacturing interests in the two boroughs and adjoining areas as well. "We ask for a straightout answer to the question why One Tree Hill is joining with Onehunga in the matter and why the legislation is being initiated in any case," he said. "A number of important industries have been started in boroughs and surely it is a duty of the local bodies to foster those industries. Almost all, including freezing works, fertiliser works, woollen mills and others, require plentiful supplies of water at a very cheap rate. It was largely on account of the presence of underground water supplies that many of the industries concerned were started in the districts.

"Legally the owners of properties are entitled to draw supplies of water from below their properties, and the proposed legislation is an attempt to'interfere with their titles," Mr. Wilson continued. "The bill aims to destroy the security of the industries on which large numbers of people depend for their employment, and if it is proceeded with it means so much to the companies and those whom they support in employment, that we intend to fight it to the uttermost." In reply, the Mayor, Mr. I. J. Goldstine, said that as a second body, the Onehunga Borough Council, was also concerned in the matter, he could not make any statement until the matter had been referred to it. It was necessary,to realise, however, that the bill did not intend to interfere with any existing wells. The question had to be regarded as much from the point of view of the council's duty to safeguard water supplies for its ratepayers as from a,ny other point of view.

The council then went into committee to discuss the question. Mr. Goldstine said that no statement could be made public until the Oneliunga Borough Council had been consulted.