NORTH SHORE WATER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21458, 4 April 1933, Page 13

NORTH SHORE WATER

Sir, —Mr. Worloy, in his letter in tlio Herald of March 31, being unable to substantiate the figures which ho us f -'I in his endeavour to discredit the \Y;utakcre source of water supply tor the North Shore, now weakly seeks to disclaim connection with his hitherto much-vaunted local scheme by stating for tlio first time that credit for this proposal rests wholly with the Mayor of Birkenhead, and also somewhat illadviscdly acknowledges that lio has championed tho scheme solely lor tho reason that 1 had taken exception to it. Responsibility for definite statements, when tied down to facts, cannot thus easily bo disposed of, and with a total disregard of tbc main points at issue. Mr. Worloy has submitted his own solution of tho North Shore water problem and has failed to prove that independent action by Birkenhead is right in principle or would prove to be economically sound in practice. 1 still await evidence that the City Council at any time made a definite quotation of water at Is Cd per 1000 gallons at the Waitakero dam, or that tho Water Board estimated tho cost of water at 2s 3d on completion of tho scheme. Both of these statements which were made by Mr. Worloy in enlarging on the merits of the only sano scheme so far propounded are inaccurate, and in saying so I will unreservedly apologise and withdraw tho charge if I am proved to bo wrong. Mr. Worloy, in his last letter, indulges in yet another ilight of fancy to overcome tho information previously given that the quality of tho lake water would steadily grow worse should tho level continue to fall, by now adding that it would afford a puro and wholesome supply by rapidly recovering its former level when left to fill the demands of Devonport and Takapuna only. I quote from the report of the late Mr. P. G. Morgan, director of geological survey, from which we learn that prior to pumping operations the lake level stood always at lift, above soa-levol. In 1914 tlio total drawn off to supply tlio needs of the four boroughs was 158,829,000 gallons, and the lake level had fallen from lift, to 2-ift. above sea. level. In 1916, to meet tho demands of a population of only 14,406, the level was still lower. How does Mr. Worloy arrive at his conclusion that the lake will rapidly recover its former level when the present demand of Devonport alone, apart from Takapuna, is approximately tho same as the amount which occasioned the first fears for tho future on account of a diminishing quantity? In other words, if the level was falling with a draw-off of 158,829,000 gallons, how can it rise by deducting 85,000,000 gallons, tlio present demand of Birkenhead and Northcote. and continuing to draw 200,000,000 gallons for the needs of Devonport and Takapuna? Tho sooner tho North Shore Boroughs' Water Board submits a well-considered scheme to those whose interests it represents, the less likelihood thero will be of its disruption with nothing but confusion in the future, if independent action is now taken by its constituent parts, also in carrying out this obvious duty, tho day will be brought nearer when the j ideal of a Greater North Shoro will become a thing accomplished. . . .. IS. G. JValxon..