WATER SUPPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22975, 1 March 1938, Page 17

WATER SUPPLY

SCHEME FOE-SOUTHLAND LAKE WAKATIPU A 8 SOURCE PROGRESS LEAGUE PROPOSAL i [by telegraph—own con respondent] INVERCARGILL, Monday A scheme for-n gravitational supply of water to a large part of Southland, including the City of Invereargill, from Lake Wakatipu lias been loosely propounded to the Southland Progress League, and if no immediately insurmountable obstacles aro discovered the proposal will soon be described to a conference of representatives of local bodies from Gore to Kiverton and from Lumsdon to the city. Tho scheme involves the supply of water for domestic and fire-fighting purposes, and also possibly for irrigation. Tho sponsor of the scheme is Mr. W. G. Tait, a member of the executive of the league, and chairman of the Invercargill Fire Board. In the last few years Gore, Mata lira, Winton, Otautau and Hiverton had all lost heavily through serious fires, Mr. Tait told the I league at a meeting at Quoenstown. ! For many years Invereargill had been j adequately served by artesian water, I but the time was not very far distant j when, because of the growth of the j > ity, a gravitational supply would be | essential. I "The scheme is so large that it is almost a national one," said the chairman, the Mayor of Invereargill, Mr. .John Miller. "It is one that might well bo undertaken by the Health Departnient." It was explained that the altitude of Kingston was 1020 ft. and that ol Lr.tnsdcn (30.") ft., giving a satisfactory fall, but in the first few miles from Kingston the water would have to be lifted 7Oft., a possibility by siphoning The engineer to the Invereargill City Covneil, Mr. F. M. Corkill, is to be asked to address the league, and if - Tie names no insurmountable difficulties local bodies will be asked to consider the !>cheme at a conference.