NORTH SHORE WATER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21596, 14 September 1933, Page 10

NORTH SHORE WATER

ACTIVITIES OF THE BOARD FOUR SCHEMES CONSIDERED ———. • A reply to criticism of the policy of the North Shore Water Board was made at last evening's meeting of the Devonport Borough Council by the Mayor, Mr. H. F. W. Meikle, who is chairman of the board. "With reference to letters which have appeared in the newspapers, I want to make it clear, as chairman of the board, that the board is considering four distinct proposals for the North Shore water supply," said Mr. Meikle. "None of those proposals is as yet complete, but within the next four weeks a definite statement will bo available. I have proposed that the four schemes should be placed before North Shore residents, showing the cost of water in each scheme. Difficulty with the North Shore water was experienced six months ago, but as no scheme under consideration at that time provided for a satisfactory suppfy of water by this summer, the Devonport Council decided to deal with the matter by installing treatment works."

Mr. Meikle said he had no hesitation in maintaining that the water treated by the works would be satisfactory. Birkenhead and Northcote had been invited to join in the scheme but had refused to co-operate. In fact, Northcote, after much delay, had not replied to the suggestion. "I mention these matters to clarify the position of the board," said Mr. Meikle. He said the schemes being considered comprised a plan for a supply from" the Waitakeres, a proposal from a water company, and two schemes for watersupplies from the North Shore side of the harbour.

"There is a feeling that some boroughs want to break away from the board," added Mr. Meikle, "but I think it would be a, detrimental step, as a board of this description helps to amalgamate the boroughs."

Contact work in connection with the Lake Pupuko water purification plant is proceeding satisfactorily, according to a report presented by the engineer, Mr. A. T. Griffiths. The report stated the aeration basin was being plastered, but the excavation for the contact tank was necessarily slow. The level of the lake was 46in. below mean high-water mark, as against 24iin. at the -same time last year./