TROUBLE AT WATERWORKS

Chronicle (Levin), 15 November 1946, Page 2

TROUBLE AT WATERWORKS

FIRE BRIGADE'S ASSISTANCE RECOGNITION BY COUNCIL Recognition of the assistance rendered by the Otaki Fire Brigade during recent trouble at the waterworks was made at a meeting oi the Otaki Borough Council on Wednesday night. Supportmg a recommendation by the finance committee to make a donation to the Otaki Fire Board in appreciation of the brigade's service, the Mayor, Mr. C. F. Atmore detailed the trouble. He said that the serious loss of pressure in the water mains which had developed recently was caused * by partial blockages in the water pipeline from the intake to the fil-ter house, a distance of about four chains. The resuit of the blockages was a very substantial reduction in the amount of water flowing into the main tanks. The partial blockages had been caused -by the infiltration into the pipeline of stones, gravel, clay and mud, which had passed ihrough the screen at ihe miaKe. No provision had been made when the scheme was insialied to keep the pipeline clear by the construclon of a debris trap. Apparently the volume of water was reneu on to keep the pipe flushed. As the pipeline was a consiaerable distance underground in very stony gio-imd, ihe uiilicuity of clearing it couid be appreciated. It had been found necessary to open up the iine and clear it in seciions. The ouiside staflf had worked very hard :o elfect ihe ciearance during uie last week, but without success, and on Saturday morning the pressure had been very low. Plis Worship went on to say that the council had met early in the morning, and suosequeriay ihuoe who were available, with the town clerk, had made an inspection of ihe pipeline. It was deciaed to seek the co-operation of the Fire Board and the Fire Brigade, and a ready response had been forthcoming. The board had kindly placed the ilre engine and pressure pump at the disposal of the council and Superintendent C. Sharp and other aieaiuers oi ine Drigade hau oiicied their services. The fire engine and pump were then taken to the mtake and three leads connected to the water supply to build up the pressure. The leads were then used to sluice out the debris, but it had taken the whole of Sunday and until late in the evening before the iine was finally cleareb. , "It -,sayS:,rmuch. for 'the public spirit in Otaki that the work 011 Saturday afternoon was carried out entirely by voluntary labour, anl that again on Sunday all the workers wiin the exception oi ihe loreman and Mr. Snowden were again volunteers." The Mayor expressed the council's sincere manks lo ine Fire Board for the use of the engine and pump, to Superintendent C. Sharp lor placing his expert knowledge as a plumber at the disposal oi the council, and for his valued assistance, and also to memoers of his brigade for their cooperation. He also thanked the members of the outside staff for their. good work, and particularly ihe foreman and Mr. Snowden for iheir assistance 011 Sunday. Mr. Atmore added that he particularly wished to thank Cr. Bartosh for his services so freely given during the whcie week at ihe intake, and for supervising the work, Cr. Gimbleii for working during the whole of Sa.urday and Sunday and Cr. Youne' for his assistance on Saturday. i It was considered by some councillors that a monetary donation i sliould be made for services render- \ ed, but others felt that the brigade, oting a voluntary body, such an act would be setting a bad pre- 1 cedent. All agreed that members ' cf the brigade had rendered very ■ fine servicre, and that the expert] knowledge of the work done by Mr. ! Sharp was appreciated. Council i lors pointed out that it had entail- j ed a gieat deal of work for tnc brigade, which had to give the engine attenticn and clcan and dry the hose, while some had placed cars at the convenience of work- I cTS. After due consideration it was \ agreed to make a donation of £14 1 5s to the Fire Board funds, and at i the same time express appreciation of the services so willingly rendered. It was left to the boara to distribute the money as h -hought fit. L