WATER SUPPLY

Southland Times, Issue 22487, 23 January 1935, Page 8

WATER SUPPLY

EXCELLENT SERVICE CITY ENGINEER CONGRATULATED COUNCIL DISCUSSION The opinion that credit should be paid to whom it was due and that the City Engineer (Mr F. Ml Corkill) deserved congratulations for the excellent way in which the waterworks had been functioning since he had assumed his duties in Invercargill was expressed by Councillor T. O’Byrne at last night’s meeting of the Invercargill City Council. Discussion on the subject arose when the Works Committee referred the council to the following report of the City Engineer regarding No. 4 bore: “Tfie borehole pump proved to have cut out its bearings entirely and the pump is beyond repair. Working overtime, the new bronze pump parts and stainless steel shaft were installed by Friday evening and are now running under test. Examination of No. 4 bore shows that the steel lining about 100 feet down has caved in possibly by corrosion of marsi. forming a projection which may nave disturbed the pump alignment. On Wednesday, January 9, while No. 4 bore was out of action, a heated motor caused the shutdown of No. 2 bore. The trouble was only temporary, but the happening shows the danger inherent in the present situation.” Councillor J. H. Tattersfield emphasized that the city’s waterworks were tn a very dangerous position and it was only right that the public should realize the seriousness of the matter. It was the duty of the council, he said, to make adequate provision for a new bore with the necessary pumps. “Mr Corkill should be congratulated on the wonderful work he has done in connection with our waterworks,” said Councillor O'Byme. “It has often struck me during the years he has been here that everything has been running very smoothly and we have had a wonderful flow of water. It was not so long ago that we were talking of going to the Dunsdale, but now everything is functioning excellently. There has been no occasion to ever curtail our water supply during Mr Corkill s regime though I well remember the notices we received 25 years ago restricting our use of the water Our present capable engineer has been able to grapple with the situation and this council should give credit to him. He has saved us both from going further afield.” Brisk Exchanges. The Mayor (Mr John Miller): Councillor Tattersfield is wrong in criticizing the council as we have done the best we can. Councillor Tattersfield: You haven t done it in the past. The Mayor: We have. Councillor Tattersfield: Where? Come on, show me. , . The Mayor: Provision will be made on next year’s estimates. Councillor Tattersfield: Youve been saying that for the last six years. I congratulate the engineer, too, but he has had an inadequate plant to contend with. The Mayor: Let’s get on with the business. Councillor Tattersfield: I know you want to shut me up but I am going to have my reply. The Mayor: You have spoken half-a-dozen times already. Councillor Tattersfield: For some reason you want to stifle this.. I suppose you don’t want the engineer to get the credit. . Councillor C. B. Tapley said he considered the council should put. through some recommendation to the incoming council to give the matter consideration when the estimates were being prepared. The engineer had been asked to carry on with the present works for another 12 months and take the risk. The matter, however, could not be shelved any longer as it would be a serious matter to the city if a break occurred. “We must recommend that something must definitely be done, he emphasized. “The engineer has been congratulated, and quite rightly too. He has carried us through and in a particularly dry period, too. But the time may come when a shortage will be felt.” „ J . The Mayor: What do you wish to suggest, councillor? Councillor Tapley: That provision should be made in the estimates providing for a bore at the waterworks. The Mayor: That was proposed two meetings ago and carried by the council. That was why I stopped Councillor Tattersfield. The discussion then lapsed.