GERALDINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20983, 11 March 1938, Page 4

GERALDINE

FAILURE OF WATER SUPPLY TROUBLE RECTIFIED An assurance that conditions stipulated in a letter from the Canterbury Fire and Accident Underwriters’ Association, as a result of the recent failure of the Borough water supply, were being complied with, was given at the monthly meeting of the Geraldine Borough Council on Wednesday evening. The secretary of the Underwriters’ Association advised that the Association's inspector had made an inspection on February 17. His report was as follow's:— (1) That the failure was entirely due to the lack of supervision and maintenance. (2) That the present Rees Turbo electrically driven pump is a minimum size for the town supply, and that a. stand-by .plant should be considered. <3) The suggested sumps for fire brigade purposes be provided, but only as a secondary supply to the town water mains. <4> Tlia.t the positions from where the ‘fire engine is able to draw water from the river should be kept clear for any emergency. Tire .Association's Committee would be pleased to have the Town Clerk's assurance that the above matters would be given careful consideration by the Council, and that the Association would be notified as to the decisions arrived at. The writer took the opportunity to express thanks to the Council representatives and the Fire Brigade Superintendent for the assistance and information given to the inspector. Cr. J. R. Lack remarked that the Water Committee had worked very well indeed and had had the waler supply restored in a very little time. Thanks were also due to Mr C. C. Knight and those who assisted him in the overhaul of the pumping gear. The Water Committee had got things fixed up very smartly and credit was due to them. Cr. A. J. Bell, chairman of the Water Committee, said that his Committee had been alive to the fact that the pumps were giving trouble. In fact, they had been examining the pumps at 9 o’clock the night before the trouble, when the mechanic had informed them that the pumps would be all right till the next morning. However, that had not been the case. As a result of their inspection they had been able to get on to the overhaul very promptly. The Mayor (Mr B. R. Macdonald): I quite agree with Cr. Bell that the members of the Water Committee are to be congratulated on the prompt action .they took. Cr. H. Russell: I think so, too! Cr. Z. O. Sherratt: If it had not been so late, the pumps would have been taken down the night before the trouble occurred. On the suggestion of Mr G. E. Berry, the Borough foreman, it was agreed to secure a new sluice valve. The Town Clerk (M’r C. L. Kirby) was instructed to reply to the Underwriters’ Association that their conditions were being complied with. Recommendations by the Water Committee that the surge and settling chamber should be cleaned out every two months and the reservoir every six months were agreed to, and it was decided that record cards of the cleaning operations be kept at the pumping shed and at the Council Chambers.