WANGANUI WATER SUPPLY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 168, 19 July 1939, Page 6

WANGANUI WATER SUPPLY

CATCHMENT AREA EXAMINED PRESENCE OF WILD PIGS I KAI I\Vl SPRINGS I REE EROM BACILLI S COLL ' Bacteriological tesU recently taken show more evidence of bacillus coli in the dam itself than in the Okehu stream where it leaves Mr. Knight's property," reported the city engineer (Mr. L. F. Row), to the Wanganui City Council last night. “The samples may have been affected to some extent by the heavy rains which have been experienced during the past few weeks, but it is obvious that the effect of the presence of pigs between Mi, Knight's land and the dam cannot be overlooked. Several samples from the Kai Iwi springs have also been examined and in each case have shown the absence of bacillus coli in 100 c.c. Al! examinations were carried out by the bacteriologist at the Wangan.il Hospital. “Altogether, four days were spent in exploring various parts of the watershed," Mr. Row reported. “It was impossible to inspect every part of lhe area in detail, but on each day a new route was taken and typical sections examined which gave a fairly gobd indication ot the general conditions. Mangahoropito Explored. "The Mangahoropito stream was explored over the greater part of ifs length from its source to the intake weir. Over most of this lenglh was evidence of the reiont presence of wild pigs. This applies particularly to the section immediately above the intake weir, where pigs ha t evidently been present in large numbers. The high country !n j:,.. west, of lhe Mangahoropito stream hts definitely been frequented by cattle for some time. On the main dividing ridge between the Mangahoropito arid Okehu valleys it was evident that cattle had been present at ,ia di.-lem. date, although probably in small numbers. The inspection disclosed .hat ! practically the whole of the weste.a boundary o f the Mangahoropito atenment is unfenced and allows direct access of stock from the neighbouring cleared and semi-cleared land. "The Okehu stream was investigated at different points from the dam up into the land occupied by Mr. Knight. Between the dam and lhe southern boundary of Mr. Knight's property there was ample evidence of . the presence of pigs which have direct access to the stream. The cleared portion of Mr. Knight's is being grazed 1 by sheep and no cattle were seen." The inspection of the catchment are* was made by Mr. G. Fear and Mr. N. Annabell.

DIRECTOR OF HYGIENE TO VISIT WANGANUI TKSPEITIO\ Ol' THE DAM. Advice was received by the Wanganui City Council last night the Director of the Department of Pun.'ic Hygiene, Dr. T. R. Ritchie, of Wellington, is lo visit Wanganui next week. He will arrive on Monday night, inspect the Okehu dam and catchment area on Tuesday uaJ meet the council at a special meeting on Tuesday night. Matters relative io termination of Mr. J. F. Knight's lease of portion of the catchment area have beta discussed by the council in •.•omni it tee. Mr. 11. S. Withers, who is acting for Mr Knight, has asked that ‘he council meet him and discuss lhe m further. It was decided last mghl that after hearing Dr. Ritchie lhe council will appoint a special .suh-com-mittee to meet Mr. Knight. It. is understood that cattle on the affected catchment area haw? 0c..1 removed, but. that sheep are s!:!l grazing there. Dr. Duncan Cook, of Palmerston North, district medical officer of health, who first reported on the advisability of removing the stock, has been kept, advised of th* teals made of samples of water. He h; s pointed out that the Mangl’toropdo area is not so important, as it only proxido- one third of the water Mipoi\.