RESERVOIR BURSTS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1929, Page 5

RESERVOIR BURSTS

AUC KI .AN 1) SENSATION.

Lily Telegraph, Per Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, March, 4

Residents in the locality of .Mount Eden had a sensational experience at 5.30 this morning when the reservoir supplying a large portion of the city and suburbs, bust with a roar which was heard half a mile away. The reservoir, which is situated on the city side of the mountain contained a million and a .juartcr gall ms of water which rushed down the mountain side taking a course mainly along what is known as the drive. A greater part went into a disused quarry hut a huge stream swept down the in 11 side on to the main road, gradually getting away over sloping land on either side. The road this morning was impassable for traffic, the train service being held up and temporary service was provided by buses. Debris covered the road for about half a mile, there being pieces of concrete, silt and workmens’ tools.

There was little damage to property In some places the water covered the lawns a foot deep but apparently did no other damage. Fortunately there was nobody about at that early hour. The rush of water lasted half an hour and the whole of one side of the square reservoir was carried away. The cause of the disaster was apparently the excavation work for the extension of the reservoir. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. AUCKLAND, March 4. It is impossible to estimate the damage caused by the bursting of Mount Eden reservoir. Rogers engineer of Mount Eden borough council says the damage is so extensive that it is impossible at present to give any estimate. The damage to the streets will amount to some thousands of pounds. The dam had a capacity of a million and half gallons but at the time of bursting it contained over 800,000 gallons. A very large area of the city and suburban water supply is affected Temporary arrangements are made to tide over the period until a normal supply is ' reassured.