OUR WATER SUPPLY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1683, 25 February 1913, Page 4

OUR WATER SUPPLY.

A FUTURE SOURCE. GOVERNMENT HANDS OVER A 810 RESERVE.' ' Not very long ' ago on article in •Tub Dominion on Wellington's water supply-, based on information supplied by the City f Kiigiuocr (Mr. W. H. Morton), mode mention of a possible fu'turo source of supply for the Greater Wellington'of the future. This was the Orongoroligo Stream, which ilows seaward down tho Orongorongo Valley, tho next big depression westward of tho Wainuj-o-inala Valley.' ', '.' '' As tho result of a report that the Goveminent had been '.approached to allow, this . mountain-and-valley block to be leased for ' s'awmilling and ultimately settlement purposes, the , Mayor (Mr. D. M'Larcn), was advised! that it would bo prudent to secure control of tho block (which is at present a fore6t reserve) as a watershed necessary for the well-being of the Wellington of the future. Mr. M'Lnron wrote to tho Prime Minister on the'.subject, urging that the matter was one of the greatest Importance to the Em- . piro.City,'and'as tho result of his'appeal the City. Council, has received a letter from the Government intimating that tho area referred' to (6500 .acres of heavilybushed country) would be vested in . tho city, for water supply, purposes. . \ When the'Mayor'nnd City Councillors visiteil Waipi on Wednesday last, tho City Engineer; (who has personally explored'the district) indicated to an interested group' of- councillors and friends the range .through which it would bo necessary : some tims in ' (ho . future >to bring tho waters of the Orongorongo- . Stream. This, is a steep bush-clad mouritam ridge about IOOOft. in' height immcdiajely totlio westward of tho lower, basin at Wainui, Mr. Morten then stated that ' • :!?£;,H". ? f % Ofingorongo Valley was 50ffift. r higher than Wninni, and it would br>. necessary, to tunnel through: the hill obliquely Willi the lower entrance of tho tuniipl on (he W«in«i Mde. The "fob' would bo a fairly expensive oho, owing to tlie out-oMhc-wny. locality, but onco the channel", through the hill was construeted the*'.water, following. ft' natural, wadient would (low down a gully into tho (■ Waihm reservoir*. Tile ' Oromrorongo Rtreani is q. slightly, larger body of water, tnmv thp. W'nui, nnd tho water -is of ' excellent quality. •'