THE BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 691, 9 December 1921, Page 5

THE BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY.

PIPES TO HICKEY’S DAM.

WATER SUPPLY ASSURED.

As a result of the break-bown to the engine at the power house on Friday night, the Borough Water Supply, like the Electric Light, was disorganised, but fortunately there was an adequate supply in reservoir for consumption until temporary appliances were forthcoming. The engine which broke down was the original engine installed when the Borough water supply was turned on. This engine has performed its work thoroughly for the last 'll) years, and during this period the town has only been without water for 14 hours. On the day it gave out it had been working continuously from 7 a.m. and gave no warning of stopping until the combustion chamber burst shortly after midnight. This engine has been asked to pump approximately 6 times as niuch water as compared with the time she was installed, in addition to the. Nelectric light. As soon as the engine broke down, the engineer, Mr. Wyatt, knew what position the* town would be in unless the water supply was assured. He obtained the Council’s traction engine and put her in place. A portion of the concrete wall had to be knocked out to allow of belting to be coupled to the pump and traction engine. The engine is now powerful enough to drive the pump and air compression at the same time. The reservoir at the power house has to be filled from the bores, aud then the engine has to pump water to the reservoirs. This entails double work but it is expected to cope with the water supply until the Hickey’s Bam scheme is iu working order. HICKEY’S DAM. The work of laying pipes to the dam is proceeding apace, a large gang" of workmen being engaged. It is expected to have the pipe line laid in a few days. In connection with the waterworks, the Mayor reported that a suitable pump and oil engine were available for installation at Hickey’s Dam. The outfit would cost £l2O.

On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr. Morrow, it was decided to purchase the articles named, installation to proceed almost at once.

As soon as the pump and engine are in working order, the Mayor stated that the capacity yrould be 12,000 gallons an hour. This would raise the water from the dam to the reservoir on the Doctor’s Hill.

It was proposed to fill the reservoir at the Power House from Doctor’s Hill, and then water could be pumped to the reservoir on Pukekohe Hill.

This scheme, he hoped would be running inside a fortnight, and after that, the supply would be assured.