FILTERS NOT NEEDED

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1935, Page 11

FILTERS NOT NEEDED

WATER FROM LAKE MANGAMAHOE. NEW PLYMOUTH ESTIMATES. The general account estimates largely explained themselves, said the Mayor, Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour, when discussing the rates for 1935-36 adopted by the New Plymouth Borough Council on Monday night. They were very much on the lines of those of last year, and, with a few exceptions, did not call for much comment.

Regarding the waterworks account," he recalled that the council some years ago gave to the Government an undertaking that immediately upon being called upon" so to do by the Health Department, it would instal filters to purify, the town water supply. These filters were estimated to cost £25,000. The water obtained from the Mangamahoe lake, however, so far had proved to be of the best quality, and it was hoped that in a few years’ time, after proving by experience that filtration of these particular waters was unnecessary, the Government might see its way to release the council from its undertaking. In the meantime, however, the council had been endeavouring to retain in the waterworks account a substantial proportion of the requisite £25,000 to enable it to meet its obligation if called upon.

For the years ended March 31, 1932 and 1933 respectively, this balance remained stationary at £17,500. For the year ended March 31, 1934, the balance was reduced by £2500, being a little less than the amount transferred from this account to the general account in relief of rates, £2959. A similar transfer in relief of rates, £2464, was providedXfor in the current year, and it was possible that by the end of March 31, 1935, the credit balance of the waterworks account might be reduced to the vicinity of £12,500. If this eventuated the money in hand would be only about half of the original estimated cost of the filters. It was therefore apparent that further reductions of this balance could not be permitted and, indeed, the account must be nursed in every way until the credit balance was at least £20,000. Under the circumstances, no provision had been made in the estimates for the ensuing year for any transfer from this account in relief of rates.' To assist in making up for the absence of such a transfer the electric light department was being called upon for £6OOO instead of the usual £5OOO.

The borough engineer in his estimates had intimated that owing to the intention of the Unemployment Board to place most of the men at the aerodrome, the unemployed relief workers vote could be reduced from £2OOO to £1750. Further information had, however, since been received, and the engineer was now of the opinion that this vote could safely be reduced to £lOOO. The reduction had been made accordingly, An extra £2OO had been allowed for street lighting, making the vote £1730 for the year. This was to provide for a large number of street lights installed last year, for which no charge was made. It would also leave a small amount to meet, the annual charges for additional street lighting in Devon Street central should the council think this necessary.