WATER FOR STATE HOUSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25306, 17 August 1943, Page 4

WATER FOR STATE HOUSES

PREVIOUS DECISION UPHELD After a lively and lengthy discussion at last night's meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough Council a motion, of which notice had been given, that the adoption of a previous recommendation of the Water and Gas Committee that water should be supplied to the State houses at Sawyers’ Bay, be rescinded, and that consideration of any supply of water to outside the borough be deferred until such time as adequate storage or an adequate supply for the present needs of the borough was assured, was defeated by one vote. The motion was moved by Cr C. O. Knewstubb, and was supported by Crs W. D. Campbell, T. J. Harrison, and F. C. Smith. Those who voted against it were the Mayor (Mr H. S. Watson), Crs A. L. S. Cassie, J. Mathews, and W. Leftwich. Cr Knewstubb said that there was not sufficient water to supply an outside district. He did not want to see a repetition of the water shortage they had experienced in the winter. Cr Smith, who seconded the motion, said water should not be supplied until it was ascertained exactly what quantity was avaiiable and what the surplus was likely to be. The opinion that there was likely to be a wastage of water when the present supply was augmented in the dry season by 18,000 gallons a day from Cedar Farm was expressed by Cr Mathews. He claimed that there would be plenty of water for the borough, and that for 10 or 11 months of the year the reservoir would be overflowing. There was, he said, an opportunity to turn water into money. The estimates showed that approximately 3200 gallons a day would be required for the State houses, and this would result in a revenue of £IOO a year.

Cr Cassie said it was detrimental to the financial position of the borough to allow the water to waste.

The Mayor: The Housing Department is counting on the supply. The department should have made sure of the water supply before proceeding with the housing scheme, said Cr Knewstubb. He suggested that a dam should be built, and that they should obtain a Government subsidy for the purpose. Supplying ships with water would provide additional revenue, he added.