NORTH SHORE WATER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23817, 19 November 1940, Page 9

NORTH SHORE WATER

IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS AN ELUSIVE ORGANISM. "It has been said that I have tanks at my house and do not drink the lake water, but I want to give that an emphatic denial," said Mr. H. F. W. Meikle. Mayor of Devonport, in an address oil the North Shore water supply, at a meeting organised by the Devonport branch of the Labour Party last night. Mr. R. H. Prichard, secretary of the branch, presided over an attendance of about 25 people, who gave Mr. Meikle an attentive hearing. "I prefer to drink the lake water to tank water," Mr. Meikle added. He explained the history of the North Shore water supply scheme, and the proposed alternatives, and said he knew the present supply was unpalatable. It was worse last year, however, and he was confident that the filtration plant now being installed would overcome the problem. The trouble to-day is due to a tiny organism running about eight to every cubic centimetre, compared with 12 per cubic centimetre last year." he added. "Ordinarily, copper sulphate will destroy organisms, but it will not destroy this chap. He is too hard in the hide. He comes from Takapuna. You can't kill him with' chlorination, but we have been on the iob a considerable time and will continue until it is put right." The meeting agreed to ask the Devonport Borough Council to call a public meeting to enable the water supply question to be explained. It also carried by acclamation a vote of thanks to Mr. Meikle.