WAIKINO WATER SUPPLY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5220, 23 December 1927, Page 2

WAIKINO WATER SUPPLY.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE PROTEST. COUNCIL OBJECTS TO LETTER. At Wednesday’s meeting of the Ohincmuri County Council a letter was received from Jhe Waikino School Committee drawing attention to the unsatisfactory state of the water supply during the last four or five months. It was stated that on .a few hot days the supply was cut oS altogether. In asking for the matter to be attended to, the committee expressed the opinion that therei should be no reason for complaint, as was ample water to supply the who” of Waikino, even in the driest weather. The’ letter continued: “We would like to point out that the shortage of water, for which ,we see no reason if properly investigated, is very serious from a sanitary point of view as far as the school is concerned, and should' we be favoured with, say, five or six weeks’ fine weather, the school would certainly have to be closed. It is hardly ncessary to deal further with this matter and point out to you the serious consequences that may ari°n through the* shortage of water, but before taking the necessary steps to have the school closed to protect the children’s health, and thereby interfere with the progress of the children’s education, it will be my committee’s intention to call a' public meeting of, householders and have the matter thoroughly investigated. Trusting the council will give this matter immediate and earnest consideration.”

Cr. C. Mason (Waikino) asked that the reply that the council had sent be read.

The reply stated that the county engineer had visited the school and found the pressure quite- good. He found, moreover, that all the taps outside the building were left running, and also two other taps were leaking continuously. Such unnecessary wastage was not conducive to a conservation of water during & dry spell. “May I be permitted to point out that in view of the fact that the water is supplied to your school,free of charge, as an act of grace thq veiled threat in your letter that unless your alleged grievance is remedied your committee will call a public meeting to investigate the matter, is, singularly out of, placet.”

The chairman (Cr. H. M. Corbett) said there was no doubt that the position had been exaggerated. There had been a certain amount of leakage, and the old pipes would be repaced as soon as possible. Cr. Mason said that since the coihr mittee, had received the letter from the council there had been no further complaint. He wished to pay a tribute to the work of the engineer and foreman in promptly dealing with the matter. Tn his opinion too much water was being used on the gardens on the lower levels. Cr. A. R. Robinson considered that thq clerk should be congratulated on the reply sent. Instead of complaining it would have been more in keeping with the position had the committee written expressing its thaqjrs for the free water service.

The chairman said he thought schools should be supplied with p ! water, but he ,hardly expected to receive such a letter.