OTAHUHU WATERWORKS.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 87, 20 February 1912, Page 3

OTAHUHU WATERWORKS.

THE OPENING CEREMONY.

Some three hundred or four hundred people assembled at Otahuhu on Saturday, February ioth, to participate in the opening of their new waterworks, including Mr Massey, Leader of the Opposition, Mr Lang, member for Manukau, and various mayors and members of many of the surrounding councils and boards, also Mr Chenery-Suggate, M.1.C.E., the Otahuhu Road Board's engineer, besides a large numderof ladies. Part of the ceremony took place in the pumping station. Mr Lippiatt, the chairman of the Board, gave some interesting facts in reference to the growth of the town, after which Mr Chenery Suggate presented Miss K. Lippiatt with a pair of gold scissors, suitably inscribed, with which to cut the ribbon to start the pumps. Having successfully performed this important part amid much applause, the pumps started to throw water into the tank on top of the adjacent tower. The Engineer, after referring to Mr John Todd as one of the pioneers of the scheme, gave a brief description of the plant, and explained that special arrangments had been made in size of pipes to allow of supplying outside districts. The visitors then climbed Mount Richmond to the massive ferro-concrete water tower, where Mr Chenery-Suggate presented Mr Todd with a gold key to unlock the tower gate, Mr Todd suitably replying. The key was inscribed : "Presented to John Todd; Esq., by Mr Chenery-Sug-gate, M.1.C.E., on the occasion of turning on water at Otahuhu, February 10, 1912." Later on a fine display of water pressure was shown at the public school, where water was thrown 20ft above the top of the high flagstaff, and also many feet above the chimney of the Star Hotel. Much interest was shown in this latter display, the hotel being on the very highest point of Otahuhu.

The large assembly adjourned to the Public Hall for refreshments. Apologies were read from Mr Parr (Mayor of Auckland) and others. Mr Massey, Mr Lang; Mr Rowe (Mayor of Onehunga), and others congratulated the town and board on the satisfactory and efficient water supply. The toast of the King, the engineer, and contractors was honoured in sparkling water from the new supply, and Mr Chenery-Suggate suitably replied. It is to be hoped that the time is not very far distant when a similar ceremony will take place at Te Awamutu.