FRANKTON WATER TOWER

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14024, 29 March 1919, Page 7

FRANKTON WATER TOWER

THE ENGINEER'S REPORT.

DENIES THAT IT WAS EMPTY

Air Wilson, electrical engineer, reported as follows to the Hamilton Borough Council last night regarding the complaint that the Erankton .water towei was not full “The allegation is very unfair and quite contrary to fact, as the tower has never been empty to my knowledge, except for from two to three hours, for cleaning out, and was then rc-fillcd as soon as possible. 1 inspected the tower on Sunday morning, the 16th insL, and there was sft Sin of water in it, and the last time it was pumped up was on Tuesday, Alarch 4. I do not personally go to the tower every time it is pumped out. I am sure Air Gowqr, the turncock, can be relied on to give me tlie exact state of the tower. I might here state that there arc some reasons for not keeping the tower standing full throughout the spring, as the water gets very foul, and as we have to keep Air Cornfoot supplied with water at all costs, according to his agreement with the old Frankton Council, serious consequences might develop if the water was unfit for human consumption through stagnation; but, notwithstanding this, there has always been plenty of water in the tower, and not, as the local paper says, ‘not full for eight months.’ The tower is now full, and can lie kept full, but I feci sure that the Council will realise, after my explanation, that whether the tower is full or half-full, a fire will make little or no difference. The tower pressure is on the mains as soon as the pump is started and the valves shut at the reservoir. The surplus water would go into the tower, not come out of the tower, unless a main burst or more water was used than the Gin main would supply,' and if fires were in Hamilton and Frankton at the same time, the tower would feed Frankton. and the pump Hamilton. “I have read the account in the local paper, and some serious statements arc made therein. I would like the Council’s advice re same, as it reflects on my responsibility) and. as it is .not true, cannot stand as stated. Tbe statements I must object to are ns follows, though of course it 4s not the Council’s fault if false information is given a Councillor, and the paper makes capital at my expense to the ratepayers at large :—Firstly, they say some better supervision is necessary on account of Cr. Tristram's revelations: secondly (Or. Tristram had ascertained quite casually that it was not full now), should such a lot 'bo made put of a casual information until investigated? thirdly, that the plant As not capable of filling the tower, and indicates that someone has been ‘slack,’ etc. In fact, the whole article is very unfair to me until the truth is known. Cr. Tristram is right in mentioning what he has heard, but it is not right for any reporter to pass on to the public a lot of untruths, much less any honour for a responsible Lapcr to print them when I am not allowed to reply to defend myself in the same public way unless I have the Council’s permission. Therefore, Sir, I respectfully request that a full investigation he given by the whole Council as early as possible.”

Cr. Tristram was quite satisfied with the entrineer’s report and explanation. Ho said that ids informant still held that the statement was true—the. tower is not full, and never was full—and was quite prepared to come before the Council. Being satisfied with the report, he had framed a resolution, at the meeting of the Legal and Finance Comnjitteo, that the explanation of the engineer he apnrored, and the fullest publicity given to his letter. The recommendation was adopted. Cr. Lafferty thought the matter should he cleared vm. and he moved that the Legal and Finance Committee go into the matter, and the turncock .and Mr Tristram’s informant be asked to attend. Cr. Tristram seconded, but the motion was lost, only mover and seconder voting for it. Cr. Howden moved that the man he asked to put his statement in writing. This was carried by four to tbreo.