HOKITIKA BOROUGH

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1928, Page 1

HOKITIKA BOROUGH

COUNCIL. — FRIDAY, AIAY 11th. The Council met at 7.-10 p.m. Present:—Alessrs G. A. Perry (.Mayor), AA\ Jeffries, 1). J. Evans, J. King, G. Heinz, A. R. Elcock, T. AV. Duff, A. C. Armstrong, E. AA r . Ileenaii and Dr Teichelmann. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approve!. CONDOLENCE. The Af;iyor conveyed 011 behalf of the Council their sympathy to Afr Janies King on tho recent death of his brother, assuring him of their deep sympathy in his bereavement. The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect. Air King thanked the Afnyor and Council for their expression of sympathy. IN AV AT? D COB If ESPONDENCE. From R. AV. Holmes and Son, forwarding account for investigating and reporting on boro, ugh water supply, and also account for travelling expenses.—Beceived and passed for payment. Ei'oin Chairman, Alain Highways Board, AA'ellington, re accident insurance premium.—Beceived. From Holden and Brookes, Ltd., England, forwarding particulars of water booster.—Beceived. From Treasury, AA'ellington, intimating that 75 per cent of subsidy on rates, amounting to £l4O 12s Gd had bene credited to the District Fund Account

From No. 12 District Highways Council, Grey mouth, forwarding gazette notice of declaration of additional main highways.—Received. From Department of Labour, forwarding copy of Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Award.—Received. From C. J. P. Sellers, solicitor, Hokitika, asking consent to transfer of Section 1407.—Received and agreed to. From Hokitika Ladies’ Hockey Chib, asking for permission to use No. 2 Field, Cass Square.—Received; usual arrangement, agreed to. From State Fire Insurance Office, intimating that in regard to local kerbside petrol pumps, they are prepared to issue a general indemnity to cover the Council’s liability in respect of existing pumps or any pumps which may be installed in future.—Received. It was resolved to notify pump owners of tho intention of the Council, in tho event of the owners not taking out their own insurances, of taking tho cover themselves, charging the owners the amount involved by an addition to tho annual license fee.

From Commissioner of Crown Lands, acknowledging Council’s protest against destruction of large trees in forming new road at Lake Kanieri, and forwarding copy of correspondence sent to Public AVorks Department.—Received with thanks.

Fro 111 Alodical (Mfi ecr of Health, advising— (1) That Chairman of AY’estland Licensing Committee had ruled that it is the duty of the local authority, and not of the Licensing Committee to seO that hotel premises arc maintained in a sanitary condition. (2) Forwarding notices requiring two hotel licensees to make certain sanitary improvements.— Received; to lie attended to. Air Hcenan presented a petition from some twenty persons unemployed in the town asking the Council for consideration by the finding ol suitable work in the town.—Received ; referred to Public Works Committee for attention as opportunity offers. It was also resolved to write to the District Engineer of the Public AAoiks Department asking if there was any work that these men could he put on nd : jaeont to Hokitika.

REPORTS. The Treasurer reported receipts .£305 Is Sd; payments .£279 10s 7d; hank credit balance £825 11s (id.—Beceived. Accounts amounting to £32-1 7s 5d were passed for payment. From Manager of Abattoirs reporting there were slaughtered during April—37 cows, 41 heifers, 31 bullocks, 238 sheep. G 3 lambs, 19 pigs, 21 calves. Condemned—l cow. 1 sheep. I‘cos £74 14s Gd (last year £73).—Beceived. FOREMAN’S REPORT.

! beg to report tho following work was carried out during the month. The remaining (bain and a-hall of the water main on Gibson Quay was completed and a fireplug put in on the corner of Jollie Street and Gibson Quay. Growth was cut in Brittan St. between AA'eld Street and tho Quay, in Sale Street between Hampden and Stafford Streets, and between Hampden and Park Streets. The footpath at the corner of Fitzhorbcrt and Hampden Streets was repaired. Healey Street drain collapsed twice during the month, between AA’eld Street and Gibson quay. This section requires concrete pipes as soon ns possible as the drain is very rotten. Pot holes on Rcvell Street footpath were reparied. The drain coming off Cemetery Hill, crossing tho road near Spenser Street was cleaned. A four-inch earthenware drain was laid across Sale Street at Afr Goodfcllow’s property. Crossings were put in to a garage at the Roman Catholic Church, nt Goodfellows in Sale Street, and in Bevel! Street near Preston’s drapery leading 011 to the ho.zrli.

The railing on cemetery hill was completed this n:./nth. During the month thirty-five 18-inch and seven one-foot concrete pipes were made.

The water connection at the Roman Catholic Church was renewed, and a connection put in to Afr Tobiau’s in Jollie Street.

A blow-out which took place in Tucker Flat on Good Friday was repaired, also the main hurst in Hampden Street 011 the night ol 30th. AYc repaired it ns best we could, as it was very stormy, and difficult to keep a n light burning, so we finished the repairs in the morning. The water in the reservoir averaged 2 feet (i inches for the month. —Received. PUBLIC' AVORKS. The Public AVorks Committee reported, recommending proposals lie sent on to tho Highways Board for widening the main highway ill Fitzhorbcrt and Stafford Streets at cost of £420 and ( the holding over of tar-sealing till next vear.

The Committee also recommended that n 6-inch pipe drain he placed bo tween Sale and Rolleslon Streets on the north side of Stafford Street at a cost of .£ls.—Received and adopted after Mr Heinz had entered his pro test against the work.

AVATER SUPPLY

HOLAI.es AND SON’S REPORT

His AA’orship tho Mayor, Hokitika. Sir,— BE AVATER SUPPLY. In accordance with your instructions wo have inspected the Borough’s water supply system and we have honour to report as follows :

QUANTITY OE AVATER REQUIRED

AA’e measured the flow of water into the reservoir and found it to lie 150 gallons per minute. The supply was coining ‘botli from tiio Ivanicri race and the lake at the time.

The population of the town at the present time is about 2,400 so the above quantity is equal to about 90 gallons per head per day. AVitli very few industries taking water from tho town supply, this quantity is about twice the usual demand for a town with the characteristics of Hokitika.

As the reservoir, wo arc informed, never fills above the 7ft. Gin. level on the gauge, approximately half the supply must be running to wasto through

leaks in the. reservoir, pipes, or leaky fittings. There will always be leaks in tho pipes while the wood stave pipes are in service, particularly as time goes on and tho timber decays.

It will therefore be necessary to maintain a good flow into the reservoir in order to maintain the necessary supply to the town, but it appears to us that the greatest leakage is occurring at the reservoir, and if this is prevented the 150 gallons per minute will bo ample for many years to come.

AA'e have plotted the census returns for Hokitika and the information gained gives very little information as to tho probable increase in population in. say, the next 16 years, or about the length of the remaining term of the water loan.

It is reasonable to expect that then,, will he an increase in population as the population in the country generally is increasing at the rate of about 5 per cent, per annum, and for a basis of calculation we have allowed for an increase in the present population of about 2,400 to, sav, 3.200 in the next 16 years.

If the present supply of 150 gallons per minute be increased in proportion to the population the supply will then he 200 gallons per inutc. SOURCES OF SUPPLY.

At the present time water is being drawn partly from the Kanieri lake and partly from the Kanieri water race. By far the largest portion is coming from the water race. Just how long this supply from tho water race will be available is problematical and depends, wo take it, on the golddredging operations. It would not ho economical for the Borough to maintain this race solely for water supply purposes, owing to tho cost of re-timbering tho tunnels which would have to be undertaken sooner or later.

AA’hilo this source of supply is available tliero does not appear any reason why the supply should not continue to be partly obtained from there. At the same time it is not good policy to depend wholly on. this soureo owing to the state of repair of the water rare, and therefore, the larger tho supply available direct from tho hike tho greater is the certainty that tho town will have an adequate supply of water at all times.

OTHER SOURCES OF AVATER SUPPLY.

AA’o measured the (low of water from a tunnel about half a mile in an easterly direction from the reservoir and found that there was a flow of 18 gallons per minute. Another tunnel slightly higher than this one was blocked with debris so no measurement could be made of the flow of water. From information gained from the miner who drove tho lower tunnel it appears that a conservative estimate of the flow from these two tunnels would bo 30 gallons per minute. Tin’s would bo sufficient for about 500 people. Those tunnels are at a. stillicicnt elevation for the water to gravitate to tho reservoir.

Tho only other likely soureo of supply is to intercept tho country water where it issues from the hills, by means of excavated or pipe wells in the gravel and sand layers against the foot of the hills.

Theso wells would have to he deep enough to exclude contaminated or impure surface water.

Judging from the quantity of water flowing from the tunnels mentioned above, which are at a fairly high elevation, it would appear that there would be no difficulty in obtaining sufficient water from this source.

No information is available as to bowmany wells would be required, or the length over which they would be spread, and the only way to obtain this information is to carry out experiments. The water from theso wolls would have to he pumped into tho main leading to tho reservoir, or direct to the reservoir whichever is tho more convenient.

Some time back we investigated the relative merits of a gravity and a pumping scheme for the water supply to the Borough of Pending, and it was found that it was more economical to reconstruct and extend the existing pipe line than to instal and operate a pumping plant. On this scheme the water would only have had to he lifted about half the height it would have to he at Hokitika and as the other factor in the schemes are comparable we do not consider it worth while dealing further with a pumping scheme. Considerable economies have been effected at Wellington by supplying the high level reservoirs with water from the Orongorongo gravity supply instead of pumping' from the main leading from the Karori reservoir even

■ith electric current only costing ap-

proximately three farthings per unit. Taking into consideration that the Borough has a good source of vatei supply and that with a comparatively small expenditure tho greater part of the present main can be repaired and

maintained in service lor many years, perhaps up to the end of the lite of the original loan, it appears to us that the best thing to do is to effect the repairs and the renewals to tho system as described hereunder. SUPPLY MAIN.

Tho level of Ivanieri Lake is shown on tho drawings as about 530 feet, and the level of the reservoir when full, at 3GS feet. The difference of IG2 feet is tho head availaViJe for forcing the water through the pipes to the reservoir. The average fall is approximately 17.3 feet per mile. * Tho average fall from the lake to the level of tho pipe at the. three-mile peg is approximately 14.6 feet per mile. It will he noticed that tho difference between tho average over the whole distance is not very much greater than the first three miles. If the pipe line were laid on the average gradient for the whole distance it would be only about S feet lower at tne 3 mile peg than it is at present, so it is therefore apparent that the best route was originally selected, particularly as the pipe line being more or less along the road is easily accessible. We have drawn on the plans a straight lino from the lake level to the pipe level at the 3-mile peg and it will be seen that the pipe, as shown on the plans, in no place comes above this line, atlhough at 1 mile 24 chains tho pipe level is only a few inches below. Before any pipes are relaid along this length, the levels should be checked to make certain that the new pipes are laid on a lower level than the corresponding points on this average grade line.

Tlio average fall lietween. tlie 3 mile peg and tho reservoir is approximately 18.5 feet per mile and the pipe line a 1! tho way is well below the line joining these points.

SIZE OF PIPE. The present pipe line between the lake and- the three milo peg is 8 inches in diameter for about two miles and 6 inches for about one mile, the 6 inch pipe being laid across three gullies.

Tho pipe line is 6 inches in diameter from the 3 milo peg to tho reservoir. Should it bo decided to renew any of the pipe wo recommend that the next commercial size be used, i.e., 8 inch diameter, between tho 3 mile peg and tho reservoir and between tho lake and the 3 milo peg 9 inch diameter. The discharge from a pipe lino 9 inch diameter for tho first three miles and S inch for the remainder would ho approximately 300 gallons per minute. PRESENT PIPES.

Tho present pipes from the lake for a distance of about 30 chains are thin sheet steel or iron 8 inch diameter, and at places examined were found to bo in had condition, being rusted through in places. These pipes should bo replaced at an early date. From the end of these pipes to the 3 mile peg tho pipe lino consists of wood stave pipe except for a few lcct where sheet steel pipes have been used. AATiore the pipe line is in the hush tho pipes are more or less exposed, having orignally been laid in a trench and the trench left open. In places the trench sides have fallen in and covered the pipe. At a number of these places tho pipes were examined and were found to he in good condition. AVliere tho pipe is exposed the Wire binding has more or less corroded, but not to a sufficient extent along the greater length to necessitate rewinding tho pipe nt the present time. There are lengths at intervals that require re-winding at an early date or replacing with other pipes.

It is very noticeable that where twigs have been in contact with tho wire the greatest corrosion has taken placo in that vicinity. Generally, the timber in the pipes is in a good state of preservation and many years useful service should be ontained from the pipes, provided the wire binding is renewed as required.

Hero and there a stave is showing signs of decay and where this occurs tho pipes should be replaced. The damaged staves should then he removed from the pipe and replaced with staves from a similar pipe.. After the pipe is rewound and coated it could be replaced in the pipe line if required. As our inspection was only of a general character we cannot state exactly what length will have to lie rewired or the number of pipes in which staves will liavo to be replaced.

To obtain this information the debris will have to ho cleared away, which will take some time to d" and should not he carried out until the repair work can he undertaken.

It appears to us that the best way to deal with the 8 inch wood stave pipe in tlie bush is to replace, say the upper 10 chains with new pipe. Then recondition the replaced pipes and work along the pipe line progressively replacing and ‘reconditioning damaged pipes.

AVheu the repair work of the 8 inch pipe line is completed, lift the 0 inch pipes across the gulley at 2 miles 17 chains and relay with the spare 8 inch pipes. It is to he noted that (he 8 inch pipes must ho wound with sufficient wire to he able to stand the higher pressure in the gulley. Any spare 8 inch pipes to lie used to replace any length of the 6 inch pipes that is easiest of access, down as lar as tho 3 mile peg so as to increase the size of the pipe along this part ol the main as far as possible.

The 0 inch pipes along this length, except where in tho hush arc well buried and where uncovered for examination were found to bo in good condition so it is not anticipated that a great deal of repair work will he necessary.

Over the whole length of the pipe lino it was found that where the pipes wore well buried in clay they were in good condition. Earth appeared to afford a certain amount of protection but not as much as tho clay.

Unless the pipes can he covered with clay they are best left exposed in the trenches in the hush, hut if done so, amplo drainage should he provided to keep tho trenches clear of surface water.

Except in a few places the pipe lii,ie is buried between the 3 mile peg and the reservoir and where uncovered for examination it was found,, to he in good condition.

Where tho pipes are exposed and' are in contact with the ground the wire binding has more or less corroded and this is particularly noticeable where tho pipe line crosses the swamps on Tucker Flat, lietween that place and Striplauds Creek, and on the flat about half a milo nbovo the Ivanieri River crossing.

The pipes across these swamps require attention at an early date. We suggest that about a mile of cast iron pipe he obtained and laid across the swamps from Striplauds Creek down.

These swamps did not appear to he very deep and for the greater length can he easily drained. It appears that tho best thing to do is to excavate a drain down to the solid for as long a length as .possible and lay the pipes along tiie bottom. Then cover them over” vith a good layer of clay to afford protection against tho swamp wateis. Where tho swamp is too deep and cannot he easily drained, small timber piles driven in by hand would form a good support- for the pipe, then coyei the pipes as much as possible with clay. The G inch pipe that has been replaced then to he lifted, re-conditioned and used for replacing damaged pipes in the same way as suggested above for tho S inch main. RELIEF VALVES.

A relief valve should he installed m the pipe line at a convenient point along Tucker Flat and in the vicinity of Striplauds Creek. These valves should he set so that the pressure will he relieved if it rises

by about lOlbs above the pressure ti the pipe when the pipe is running hi! and discharging freely into the reset

voir. Should tho discharge valve be shutdown the pressure on the pipe linos at Tucker Flat would rise to loolbs per square inch while the pressure when freely discharging into tho reservoir is about 95 lbs per square inch. It is very important to keep the pressure to a minimum on the wood stave pipes, particularly as their age increases.

RESERVOIR. The concrete lining of the reservoir is badly cracked and the concrete is of very poor quality. The lining 5 is by no ‘ means of adequate thickness to withstand any considerable water pressure that may come on it from tlm outside when the reservoir is empty, or partly so. and this is distinctly shown by all the walls cracking either half way up or at the foot. The inside water leaking, through these cracks relieves the pressure on the wall. The ground appears to stand without support nearly vertically. I it was not for tbese two factors the wall would have collapsed because a flat wall only 9 inches at the top and IS inches at the bottom is totally

inadequate to withstand a hydrostatic pressure equal to the height of the wall.

If tho cracks are completely blocked then the wall will collapse, so it is inadvisable to attempt, to repair the present walls. It appears to us that the only thing to do is to construct a thin reinforced concrete shell inside tho reservoir and to hold it in position by strutting across from side to side at in tervals.

The earth hank on the down hill side of tho reservoir requires thickening as it has been excavated away to give access to the discharge and scour valves.

These valves should he inside the reservoir and when the lining is placed we suggest ihat suitable valves be installed there. The present valves could be used as shut down valves in the proposed new 8- inch cast iron main. An auxiliary overflow is required in tho form of a concrete lined ditch leading from the top of the reservoir for a short distance along the hill side, to prevent water over-flowing the hanks should, tho overflow pipe become blocked.

RETICULATION SYSTEM. AA’e understand that a certain amount of trouble is experienced through leaks in tho main water hammer due to hydrants being shut down quickly during fire fighting operations.

Experience has shown that it is often necessary to shut off hoses quickly to prevent excessive damage, and in view of this, the only thing to do is to instal relief valves to minimise the effect us far as possible. AVc consider it well worth while installing a number of relief valves at intervals throughout the reticulation system. ESTIMATE. AYe estimate the cost as follows: ' £ Repairs to reservoir 1350 1 mile of 8 inch cast iron in place, including cutting drains, etc 2050 40 chains 9 inch pipe in place with necessary valves, etc. ... 1000 £4400 Just what tho cost of lifting, rewinding and relaying tho damaged pipes will ho it is very difficult to say as so much depends on the weather conditions during tho progress of the work, and on the skill of the workmen.

J t may he found convenient for a considerable quantity of the reconditioning of the pipes to he carried out by tho Borough staff at the Borough yard or other convenient places during wet weather and so effect a saving in labour costs.

Wo suggest that about £7OOO he made available for the whole work, and we consider this sum should bo ample to place the main and reservoir in a good state of repair. SUMMARY. The following is a summary of our recommendations:—

(1) Obtain a mile of 8 inch cast iron pipes and lay them across the swamps on Tucker Flat and between there and Striplands Creek. <2) Repair the reservoir by eon-' structing a reinforced concrete lining. (3) Recondition the 6 inch pipes that have been replaced and progressively replace and recondition damaged pipes in the

6 inch main. (!) Obtain 40 chains of 9 inch pipes and lay them from the intake at Lake Kanieri down. (51 Recondition the 8 inch wood stave pipes that liavo been replaced and progressively replace and recondition damaged pipes in the 8 inch main.

(6) Replace as much of the C inch main between the Lake and the 3 milo peg with spare 8

inch pipes. (7) Instal relief valves in the reticulation system to minimise the effect of tho water hammer duo to valves being closed quickly. We have tho honour to bo, sir, Your obedient servants,

R. W. HOLMES AND SON. Consulting, Civil and Mechanical Engineers, Wellington, 23rd April, 1928. DISCUSSION ON DEPOT?T.

The Mayor referred to the report at some length, and then moved that the report he received and approved. Seconded by Dr Teichelmann and carried. The Mayor suggested work being

inineneed bv tlie Borough stall at the

ke ciul. Mr ICvans suggested that attention mold he given first to the reservoir,

to make temporary repairs. A general discussion followed general approval being expressed at the necessity of making temporary repairs to the reservoir and it was agreed that the Koroman carry out this work, estimated to take a week. The Mayor’s suggestion to start at

io lake end was approved and it was

also resolved to enquire of the engineer whether Hume pipes would he suitable for the first 20 chains, the work to bo proceeded with from the Borough funds.

It was resolved to defer discussion on other portions ot*the report till a

ater date. 'Tlie Council rose at 9.20 p.m