WATER PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23839, 14 December 1940, Page 13

WATER PROBLEM

north shore supply AUGMENTATION PLAN HVAIRAU VALLEY SOUBCI A request that the North Shore Water Board should give urgent ant prompt consideration to the provisioi of an adequate and satisfactory supply of wholesome water to the district wa; received from the Director-General o Health. Dr. 31. H. Watt, at a meeting of the board yesterday. It was decidei to agree to the principle suggested b\ advisers in augmenting the Lake Pupuke supply with water from Wairau \ 7 alley. "Much of the criticism of the present condition of the supply is justified,'' Dr. Wait's letter stated. "This does not necessarily mean that the water must be condemned as a source of supply. It has never been given a fair trial. Given adequate facilities for the treatment of the water, there is no reason why this water, supplemented -rjH-ith that of the Upper Wairau Valley, should not bo made safe and palatable." Referendum Suggested The chairman, Mr. H. F. W. Meikle, of Devon port, moved that the lake supply be augmented with water from Wairau Valley. Mr. E. Aldridge, of Devonport, moved an amendment that a referendum be taken over the whole of the four boroughs to determine the desirabilitv of the Wairau scheme. He said the lake bad been given a full trial and the people were disgusted with the Mr. C. H. M. Wills, of Takapuna, id water could be obtained from the citv within six months, but the other selieme would delay the supply for three years. 1 r The amendment was defeated on the chairman's casting vote. The Government member. Mr. L. J. Pofi, did not vote. He voted for the motion, which was carried by four votes to three. City Offer Not Declined A letter was received from the City Council asking whether its oiler to supplv city water to the board bad teen declined. It was decided, after a resolution by .Mr. Wills had often been amended, to advise the council that the offer had not been declined, and to ask for full information as to terms . and conditions for a permanent water supply. It was further requested that Mr. •!. A: C. A Hum, chairman of the Works Committee, and Mr. A D. Mead, waterworks engineer, should attend a meeting of the board to answer inquiries. . , , , Mr. Meikle said the board had no ■power to enter into any contract with another authority for the supply o water. It was the duty of individual local bodies to do so. Mr. J. Guiniven (Takapuna): The Minister has promised to amend airy legislation to, assist,us. Mr. Meikle: I do not take mucli notice of that. ... Mr Guiniven: In my opinion lie vul , make' vou do it. He will amend legislation as an emergency measure. Mr. Guiniven accused Mr. Meikle ol beinc "the chief culprit" on the board The motion was then carried, it being decided that the only approach to the ' council in the meantime should be b\ correspondence. . ANALYTICAL REPORTS MEMBERS NOT CONVINCED MORE DETAILS IN FUTURE "Are we to view the complaints about Lake Pupuke water in the light that North Shore residents are suffering front' mob delusion?" asked Mr. C." H. M. Wills, of Takapuna, at a meeting of the North Shore _ Water Board yesterday, when analytical reports on chemical and bacteriological examinations of samples of the water were presented, and it was stated that the conditiqn of the water was satisfactory compared with other years. "The water is- not fit for human consumption," continued Mr. Wills. "It is extraordinary that we should receive such reports as these, without proper comment, because they try to convince the ignorant layman that the is no worse than it has been for 'lrom four to six years." Mr. E. Aldridge said there were living organisms and vegetable growth in water lie saw drawn from a tap after it had been running half an hour. "It is a reflection on the intelligence of the board and the unfortunate people who have to use the water to be told that its condition is no worse than it has been before," he added. Remarking that the water was dangerous and poisonous. Mr. Aldridge urged that the medical officer or health be asked how much longer he supposed it would be before he would Condemn the lake. The chairman, Mr. H. F. W. Meikle, of Devonport, said the water in the lake was pure enough, and that was the board's chief concern. What came out of the taps was another matter. Mr. E. C. Fowler, of Northcote. said it was the fault of borough mismanagement and neglect of water mains. It was decided to ask the medical officer of health for more detailed inforn nation in future regarding the fitness of the water to drink, its palatini}# y, and whether it was injurious to Health. NORTHCOTE SERVICE PLAN TO .TAP CITY SUPPLY A scheme to obtain water from the city supply through the Birkenhead pipe line to serve Northcote is under consideration, and special meetings of both borough councils are expected to be held before Christmas. "He hope to have something arranged before the holidays, and the engineers are working to that end." Raid Mr. U.' Martin, the Mayor of Northcote. yesterday, "if the extension ot the supply can be arranged, the linking of the mains in the two boroughs should be easy, as only a few yards separate the reticulation systems at their nearest points. We are confident a solution will be reached if it is fit all possible." Mr. Martin said difficulty was being experienced in -acquiring necessary plant, due partly to the war. Other Watters also, had to be considered before any definite decision could lie inade. The basis of cost would be about Is per 1000 gallons, the price paid by Birkenhead, and also offered to all -North Shore boroughs some years ago. w Northeotc has drawn its water from Lake Pupuke since 1907. devonport and takapuna TANKS AT CONVENIENT POINTS With further bell-ringing to announce aeir preseiue. two tank-waggons disributed many thousands of gallons of str!fl 1 city su PPb" around the reets of Devofcport yesterdav. During tiie day every street was visited, and . nightfall five «rge tanks had been erected at convenient points in the no rough, a lid 11 m w . will be provided UHlay. tanks were also placed at eight depots m the TakapiKja borough, and another seven are to \ e up to- ?■ • A la t r K° number ot residents have nouse tanks, and. proved a reasonable tail of rain is soon experienced, an Pie water supply will available tiurmg the summer.