WATER FOR BIRKENHEAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21845, 6 July 1934, Page 13

WATER FOR BIRKENHEAD

SUPPLY FROM AUCKLAND FINE ENGINEERING FEAT TURNING-ON CEREMONY "1 am sure you will have no cause to rc<rret the sten you have taken," said Mr. G. W. Hutchison, Mayor of Auckland, yesterday afternoon, after officially turning on the city water supply for the Birkenhead Borough. The ceremony was performed at the new pumping station in Domain Road. Mr. Hutchison said the feat of floating a pipe-line across the harbour and then sink\ng it was an engineering achievement not previously attempted in the Dominion, and was realised to be no easy matter. The most critical task was the crossing of the main channel of the harbour, which at that point was 80ft. deep for about 500 ft. and over 20ft. deep for a width of 1300 ft. The pipe could deliver 220,000 gallons a day by actual test, which was twice the normal consumption of the district, and well over the estimated summer rate, and had been arranged to permit of easy increase of that figure if found necessary. Birkenhead was to be congratulated on possessing a reservoir holding nearly a week's normal demand, a resourceful provision for a small borough. He believed that in future water would be cheaper. Mr. Hutchison congratulated the Mayor of Birkenhead, Mr. G. Mills, on overcoming the difficulties and criticism involved. Ha complimented Mr. A. D. Mead, city waterworks engineer, on his supervision of the work. "My only regret is: that the four North Shore boroughs did not join in the scheme," said Mr. Mills. "This afternoon, however, we have turned off Birkenhead's water troubles for 21 years." Mr. Mills added that the thanks of all residents of the horough were due to Mr. Hutchison, for his efforts had contributed largely to bringing the city water to Birkenhead. A scheme of that nature had been under consideration in the borough for many years, and recent negotiations had brought it to fruition. He regretted sincerely that Mr. Hutchison was unable to offer himself for reelection as Mayor of Auckland. He had looked forward to the time when Mr. Hutchison would assist in bringing the harbour bridge scheme to completion. Other speakers were Mr. H. F. W. Meikle, Mayor of Devonport, Mr. J. Guiniven, Mayor of Takapuna, Mr. R. Martin, Mayor of Northcote, Mr. T. B. Clay, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, and Messrs. A. Hadfield and C. E. Campbell, members of the Birkenhead Borough Council. The desirability of the four North Shore boroughs drawing their water from the city was mentioned by several of the speakers. After the water had been turned on, young totara trees were planted near the pumping station by the five Mayors present, Messrs. Hutchison, Mills, Meikle, Guiniven and Martin, and Mr. W. A. Bishop, chairman of the Waitemata County Council.

POSITION AT OTAHUHU MORE BORING TO BE DONE SEEKING UNDERGROUND SUPPLY Proposals for carrying out boring operations at the Otahuhu Borough Council waterworks with a view to augmenting the town water supply caused considerable discussion at a meeting of the council last evening. The Works Committee reported that it had received tenders for the sinking of a 6in. bore at the well-bottom in Mount Richmond Domain, and recommended that one be accepted on condition that the bcre be sunk not more than 30ft. in the meantime. Mr. F. W. Grey said the outlay on the price received would be about £9O. He was doubtful if that expenditure was warranted. He suggested it would be wiser to defer action in the hope that a Metropolitan Water Board would be set up. The money could in the meantime? be used to purchase water from the Manukau County Council. Mr. W. D. Cowper said he had dissented from the committee's recommendation because he the work, which he admitted was essential, could be done more cheaply by the council's staff. The Mayor, Mr. H. T. Clements, said it had to be admitted the proposals were a "leap in the dark," but personally he felt it was advisable to take a chance in the hope of finding additional water. He said an adjoining local body had made the experiment with satisfactory results. Mr. A. Sinclair said if the council decided to do nothing and waited in hope of a Water Board being formed, it would be rightly criticised. It had to be remembered that a policy of inaction meant the town must continue to purchase water from outside. After further discussion the committee's recommendation was adopted and instructions were givqn to proceed with the work.