WESTMERE LAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1929, Page 2

WESTMERE LAKE

STRANGE SCUM FORMS.

WANGANUI, February 13.

Recently settlers in the vicinity of Westmere Lake and bathers noticed a peculiar scum forming round the edge of the lake, and, as this increased to a width of eight or nine feet and gave off a distinctly pungent smell, and horses would not drink the water, the matter was reported to the city council. Officials and inspectors were sent out to make investigations and at the same- time the Health Department was asked to send a supply of bottles so that samples could be procured for analysis. It was thought at first that the trouble might be due to sheep dip, •hut it would require the dip from from all the farms along the coast to produce anywhere near a similar effect.

An old resident of Springvale, who has been familiar with the lake and surrounding country for years, was consulted, and he volunteered the opinion in reply to a suggestion ot ivolcanic activity that the trouble was due to a combination of oil and natural gas. In that country extending to the coast natural gas and oil scum abounds. In fact, at Castlecliff there is a farmhouse lit with this natural gas which, no doubt, emanates from decayed vegetation underneath. In a creek, which is sometimes supplemented ffy the overflow from Westmere Lake, an oily scum lias been noticed floating on the waters at intervals for years past.

A boat was procured yesterday and those engaged in the investigations noticed bubbles arising in the centre of the lake, and as these reached the surface and broke, and oily-like substance remained. Early this season bathers in the lake who were accustomed to bathe there for years past noticed

that the muddy smell had become more pronounced and had commented on the fact. The result of the analysis will be awaited with interest more particularly as the city council had contemplated tapping the lake to supplement the city water supply.