WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 325, 28 January 1902, Page 2

WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Mr Mestayer has written a reply to the critics of his water supply and sewerage schemes. He states that he has not, as represented, opposed the septic ' tank system, inasmuch as he proposes to treat the sewerage in a septic tank on the sandhills. It is true he opposed the construction of six separate tanks because the sites were unsuitable and the cost would have been excessive. He explains that the Shone system is not one for puritica tion of sewerage, but for raising it- from a low to a high level. He states that there is no foundation for the assertion that the Shone system has proved a failure in Wellington. With regard to the water supply, he contests the suggestion that it is necessary to provide for an artificial bottom to the reservoir. He could see nothing in the locality to justify the expense, and it was a most unusual course to adopt in the case of large storage reservoirs. He mentions the reservoir in South Australia he designed to hold one thousand million gallons ; although the water is one hundred feet deep at the dam, the natural bottom has proved sufficient. The large Prospect reservoir—the main one for the Sydney water supply—is about 80ft. deep at the dam, and the natural bottom is sufficient. Speaking of filtration, he says he did not propose to filter the water through fern, but as the ground was covered with fern, etc., the water flowing off it would be nearly free from silt owing to the protection of the ground surface. The supply from Waibirere would be pure, and although it may at times be a little cloudy, there will not be anything injurious in it. Even if filtered” at the reservoir, it would still be cloudy after passing through miles of pipes.” The only remedy for this is domestic filters, of which there are plenty of good and cheap types to be got. With regard to Mr Lysnar’s criticisms, he says his views are unaltered, and the opinions he gave were founded upon an experience of over 35 years of water works’ practice, and have been found sound and reliable in many other towns.