WATER SUPPLY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4880, 21 September 1925, Page 3

WATER SUPPLY.

LARGER PIPES SUGGESTED. DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL. At Thursday’s meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council Cr. P. E. Brenan asked if he was correct in assuming that in connection with the borough water supply two-inch mainis'were to be put down in Bennett, Russell, and Wood Streets and portion of Thames Road. The Mayor (Mr- W. Marshall) replied that that was the intention of the council, and was as much as the loan money would cover. Cr. Brenan drew attention to the large amount of building that was taking place in the Russell-Willough-by Street. area, and pointed out that a two-inch pipe was of little use for fire-fighting purposes.’ There was also a reasonable prospect of residences; being erected along Thames Road in tne near future, and he strongly favoured nothing less than four-inch pipes being put down. Crs. H. J'. Hare and E. A. Porritt ■also favoured the. suggestion, especially so far as Thames Road was concerned, and instanced tne improvements effected and contemplated at the Jockey Club’s property. The Mayor explained at the outset that the cost of 4in pipes was nearly five times that of 2in pipes, and it was not possible to give effect to the suggestion with the money available. It would mean raising a further loan. A 4in main would be laid along Thames Road as far as the Station Road corner, and from there onwards a 2in pipe would replace the present lin pipe, which connected to an existing 2in main. This would make an enormous difference to the pressure, and would be sufficient, in his opinion. for some years to come. Regarding the Russell-Willoughby Street area, the Mayor said that the existing lin pipes would be replaced by 2in pipes, which would be connected direct to the main on Waihi Road. So far as fire-fighting was concerned in that area, the brigade would connect direct on to the Waihi main, and could easily reach the houses in the locality from that point. The proposed improvements had been suggested after consultation with the superintendent of the fire brigade. LAYING OF THE PIPES. In answer to Cr. Pinder the Mayor said it was proposed to employ the borough workmen on laying the pipes in the various areas. Cr. Pinder favoured tenders being called for the work, and said he thought the borough employees should be kept on street maintenance work. ■ The Mayor pointed out that even if tenders were called .the borough workmen would have to dance attendance on the contractors, as connections would have to be broken and re-connected at every house in the area. The council possqssed the necessary pipe-s'erewing appliances, and. in his opinion, the council could do the work more satisfactorily. Cr. Edwards though,t that it might 'be advisable to call tenders for the excavation work.

The Mayor said it would be more satisfactory for the council to engage additional casual labour and carry out the work with its own staff. The question of large supply piptis could be considered at a later date.