THE BURST TANK.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15869, 7 April 1917, Page 11

THE BURST TANK.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PRESS." Sir, —As some of the City Councillors think the public ought to know something more about the tank I place tho following information before them: — Ist. It was by public tender, and the lowest tender was accepted. 2nd. Tiio work was completed to tho best of my ability, and as far as I know gave entire satisfaction. 3rd. It.was filled up with water and stood tho test for the lirst ■week. 'Afterwards it wafl filled up every week for tho next four weeks, and emptied during tho weekends. When it was fillecT up for tho sixth time tho unfortunato accident took place. It stood tho test for about six weeks, and no one. noticed anything defective, and then suddenly it collapsed; no one seeing the accident and .hearing no warning. One councillor at least spoke about graft, and I think the public mind should be satisfied upon that matter, at least, as it is nrach easier explained than the accident to the tank. Beforo I accepted the work, and during the time the work was going on, and after the accident, neither tho Mayor nor any of the councillors can say that I have approached them upon the matter in any shape or form, and no- underhand' work has been done as far as this job lias been concerned, and ■it is a pity that such a thing should have been suggested. The City Council tank was a large tank, but it was small compared to some tanks that are built of wood, and used as suj>ply and storage tanks. There are a few hot water tanks in use in New Zealand. I built one about fourteen years ago, and it has been in use during that time for heating water ; it is outside and exposed to the weather, and the bands used when it was erected were only oneeighth of an inch thick..-_ Although it has been in use all that time, and its capacity is about 0000 gallons, nothing has been done to it up to the present in the way of repairs. I have given the foregoing information, not as an explanation, but principally to convince the public that there hag been no underhand business, and in justice to the Council and myself. Since the accident has happened tho majority of people seem to be able to tell you the why and tho wherefore, but that is quite usual in"such cases. It has been very unfortunate, and as far as I am concerned I feel sorry for tho waste of time and money, and could scarcely get mj'self to believe that such a thing was possible. Trusting the public will feel more satisfied by the above, — Yours, etc.. JOHN SUTHERLAND.