The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MAY 14, 1928. A COMMENCEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MAY 14, 1928. A COMMENCEMENT.

The Borough Council had the report of its engineers before it on Friday night relative to the town water supply. and though the report was approved. the Council was rather chary in going into the question of ways and means to carry the report into effect. The report is a very definite cue. In a comprehensive way it traverses the subject very clearly indeed, and points out defects and contingencies which no body of men. nor the community itself, can afford to ignore, if the maintenance of an assured water supply is considered of the importance to the town it is generally considered to he. The town has a unique source of supply in Lake Kanieri. For town purposes it is inexhaustible. But the town is not receiving its supply direct from the lake through its own pipe line as it should. A defect lias developed between the lake and the Forks, and an auxiliary supply is brought into the pipe line at the Forks from the Power water-race. The defect, therefore checks the supply of water from the lake, and the auxiliary supply is received under contingent conditions which may at any time result in that source being cut off. Here, then, is the first serious stage. The engineers recommended the reconditioning of the

pipe line from the lake towards the Forks. This is certainly highly essential, and the Council lias wisely decided to make a commencement with the work. Below the Forks towards the reservoir, are other serious defects. One is at Tucker Flat where breaks are all too serious, and at times jeopardise the town supply. A mile of cast iron pipes is urgently required for this section, and it would appear from the tenor of the report, should be provided with as little delay as possible. The wood pipes replaced are not to he lost, as under the scheme they are to bo. reconditioned, and replaced in sections at the upper end of the pi no line requiring renewal—and where the pressure is not severe. The Council baulked at this and other HS|X'cts of the report, but it appears to be a most essential pari of the scheme, and tlie' work is so laid out as to dovetail, in that wood pipes removed and reconditioned would still be of use in other sections which it will be essential to repair. As the east-iron pipes would have to be imported, it seems of great importance that the consideration of the report in regard to the Tucker Flat section should not lie held up unduly, as pent meted delay may be dangerous indeed to the efficiency of the town -supply. A very important part of the report is the reference to the state of the reservoir. This appears to lie defective, palpably so. The Council has sanctioned some temporary repairs to carry 011, as at present the reservoir holds less than three feet of water. This is below a safety margin. and the content capacity must he increased immediately, pending the flow of water directly from the lake being restored to that of the original supply which the pipe line was capable of bringing in when first installed. 'l'ho ultimate rebuilding of the reservoir as recommended by the engineers by constructing a, reinforced concrete lining, seems .specially necessary, but it would appear the Council is wise in attending to the main pipe line in the first instance, following the temporary repairs meantime to the container. The people* who have daily use to make of the water supply no doubt appreciate, the convenience of having the supply so readily at hand. In ease of emergency for fire purposes, the water supply has proved of very great value. It is therefore of paramount importance that the supply should be _ maintained in an efficient condition. It is for the Council as the custodians for the public, to see to the proper maintenance. There is of course the matter of financial ways and means to be considered, for expenditure has to be reasonable so far as thy capacity to pay is concerned. That is an aspect to be referred to later.