NEW RESERVOIR AT BLUFF

Southland Times, Issue 23781, 31 March 1939, Page 2

NEW RESERVOIR AT BLUFF

EXCAVATION TO BE CONTINUED REVIEW OF POSITION AT NEXT MEETING A decision to clean up the new reservoir at Bluff, instal the syphon, spillway and intakes, and proceed with the excavation as far as possible was made at the monthly meeting of the Bluff Harbour Board, held at the port yesterday afternoon. It was also decided that the board review the position at the next meeting. The question of the board’s future action was discussed after the members had returned from an inspection of the new reservoir under construction on Bluff Hill. The chairman (Mr W. A. Ott) said it was regrettable that the cost of constructing the reservoir was so high but that could not be helped. It would be a pity if work had to be stopped at the present stage. The men were now working on better ground and it should be possible to excavate a good deal of soil and so increase the storage capacity. The engineer (Mr D. E. S. Mason) could be authorized to proceed with the work, he said, and the board could review the position at the April meeting. “It would be a pity if the work was suspended, even if we have to exceed the original figure,” said Mr D. R. Cockburn. Mr Ott: We can fix the limit at the original amount in the meantime and keep a check on our costs. If it is necessary, we can later alter the amount we are willing to spend. Mr G. Wraytt: I think we should do the cleaning up first. Mr Mason said the syphon, spillway and intakes could be installed, and the excavation could be continued with the balance.

Mr Wraytt then moved that the reservoir be cleaned up, that the installations be made and excavation continued as much as possible, the board to review the position at its next meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr W. M. Norman and carried. ROCK ENCOUNTERED Comment on the progress of the reservoir was made in the annual report of the engineer. ’ j “The excavation of the reservoir was proceeded with during the year,” stated the report. “Unfortunately the information tabulated from data obtained when the test pits were sunk did not prove to be accurate in practice. The ground proved to be very patchy and the formation seen in the test pit was often quite different a few yards away. More rock than was anticipated was encountered; consequently progress was slow. To facilitate the drilling of the rock for explosives, the board awarded a contract for the supply and delivery of a portable two-stage diesel-driven air compressor for £662.” There were present: Mr Ott, the Hon. T. F. Doyle, M.L.C., and Messrs Wraytt, Norman, Cockburn, C. S. Longuet and J. Cameron. Approval was given to the purchase by the board of a section of land between the corporation quarry and the cemetery, measuring a little more than 18 acres. ’ 1 Before the board met at Bluff yesterday afternoon, members made a tour of inspection of the port. A visit was paid to the wharf where a demonstration of first aid was given and the board went to the new reservoir tc examine the progress being made. The section of land which the board was considering purchasing was also inspected before members returned to the town.

The question of supplying an office for tally clerks on the wharf was discussed and various buildings on the waterfront were inspected. It was left to Mr Mason to look into the matter and report to the board.