THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1916. PUKEKOHE'S WATER SYSTEM.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 186, 27 June 1916, Page 2

THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1916. PUKEKOHE'S WATER SYSTEM.

'' We nothing extenuate, nor fft down auolit in malice

The discussion that took place at the meeting of the Tukekohe Borough Council last Wednesday evening in regard to a remodelling ol the oorough water supply may lead to good reaults, and an acceptance by the ratepayers at the loan poll, when taken, il on further consideration the Cuuneil can be persuaded to adopt the motion proposed by Cr Koadley for lu:ther expert advics (*'the best engineer obtainable in Auckland," being the words used by (Jr Koadlev) to be secured before the ratepayers arc consulted. BOKI from its expensive character and its unsatisfactory nature the existing water supply system ia admittedly capable of revision, but before they will acquiesce in casting away the substance for tHe shadow it is only natural that the ratepayers will require to be convinced, ar.d to have all possible proof, that a further outlay will nut be made in vain. 'lhe position now is that Mr Wyatt, the Council's Waterworks Engineer, has propounded a scheme that entirely alters the prerent system, the mam points Leing that Mickey's Dam is to be used as a source of Bupply and water therefrom is to be automatically raised by means of an ingenious device known as a "Hydram" (an improved type of ram), to a new reservoir to be constructed on the hill on the eaatern side of the town. Mr Wyatt's pio&osala display a clcse and practical study of local requirements, combined with an evident intimate knowledge of water science and of hydraulics, and accordingly his scheme, on the face of it, should be gladly and thankfully received by the community, whilst the Council, on their part, deserve credit for "sticking to their guns" and, in spite of an advrese vote last year, endeavouring to secure to the town a supply of water that, it is hoped, will in every degree be satisfactory. In regard, however, to the Council's announced intention to proceed with the work even if the proposed loan is rejected, it need hardly be stated that available finance would not permit of a very great deal being doce. 1 lie Council may purchase land for a site for a reservoir, may construct the reservoir, and may acquire rights over llickey's Dam, but yet the funds on which they could lay hands would fall a good deal short j of AMU'JO, the estimated j cost ol Mr Wyatts' scheme. More- I over, it would be both unseemly j and a direct abuse of power if i contrary to the wishes of the j ratepayers the Council essayed to I achieve their objects. The point therefore remuiua that' ali possible steps should be taken 10 obtain the approval ol the rate- | payers to a scheme that must , appear to the lay uiinu both practi- | cable and workable, and it was to ' this end Cr Koadley proposed the j motion alluded to in the earlier part ot this article. True it is that the Council have already appointed an , Advisory Engineer (Mr D. W. Mc- i Arthur), who has made his report, ' but having regard to what transpired at the Council meeting in j regard (o lhat report, can it fcc j wondered if like some Councillors j many ratepayers will also have j their doubts ' The position that the j | majority ol the Council seeired to : I take up, r.s also Mr Wvatl himself, j ! wan Ihal i! I'url li- r wriliealimi el j Mr \Vv.ill'i fi*!ihiin 1 wanted d I w.ih tantamount In en 11■ • niper ■i" 11 h mi the nit ni.i <>l U • . elinrir. I lii ', I

however, wbp by no means the cass. One and all of the Coun- j ; cillors accept the Bchemc at its i ' face value, but a minority desire to |. further its prospects of success at a | • poll by "hall-marking" it with such j a stamp of endorsement thut should , render its acceptance by the rate- 1 payers beyond all question. We have every confidence in the com- ' petency ol Mr L>. W. McArthur, and it is only right to point out that in addition to havicg installed a large and successful water installation in at least one town in Australia he, whilst Borough Engireer at Waihi, planned for that town its present gravitation water suppl7, an undertaking that is giving every satisfaction. The disquieting fact, however, remains that Mr McArthur simply verified from details supplied him the scheme planned by Mr Wyatt without visiting lJukekohe to make a personal inspection or to take necessary measurements. The rumour has gained ground that Mr McArthur was cognisant biforehand with the scheme as promulgated by Mr Wyatt. The fact (hat Mr McArthur, living at Te Aroha, is able to forward a written report in verification of Mr Wyatt's scheme without visiting and inspecting the locality lends colour to the suggestion. Seeing that Mt Wyatt was prior to coming to Pukekobe a member of the Waihi Council's staff under Mi McArthur it would be to Mr Wyatt's credit, and not to his discredit, that be should have referred any point on which be desired advice to his former "Chief," of whose abilities he was well acquainted. Such action indeed would render the scheme all the I more worthy of public confidence. On the other hand, however, having regard to all the circumstances it will be the popular idea, whether right or wrong, that the Council's intention of obtaining an absolutely independent expert corrohoraton has not been accomplished, and this was the opinion voiced by Crß Koadlev and Clarke turthcr, we would suggest that the expert, whether Mr McArthur or anyone else, should furnish testimony to the cfiioacy and reliability in its running of the so called "Uydram" for waterlifting purposes; to chance being, at least, remote ot the source of supply being contaminated, seeing that the Rev. H. Mason, when a little time since experimenting tor water, advised the Council that the 1 contour of the ground around Uickey's Dam rendered it liable to pollution; and, further, that samples ! ot water taken by the expert from 1 the spring or springs to be used should be sent to the Government : Analyst and the results of the analysis disclosed. There should be no parsimony displayed by the Council in such an ' important matter that concerns the ! very lite and prosperity of the borough. A fee to another expert ' would be well advised if all doubts and fears are to be overcome for then the Council could have every confidence that a solution of a difficalty that since its inception 1 has caused endless trouble, not to 1 say friction, would be cheerfully ' favoured by the ratepayers to the ' lasting credit of the Council in 1 office at the time and of Mr Wyatt as the designer of the scheme. In 1 this instance it would not, in ! effect, be a matter of the Council 1 cjming to one conclusion at one 1 meeting and another at another ! meeting, for last week the denouement was sudden and unex--1 pected, and without probably real- ' ising the effect of the discussion on the public mind the Council 1 refused to countenance Cr Koadley's motion. It wuuld be unfortunate if from a standpoint ot mere loss of dignity the Council at their next meeting are averse to adopting a course that is likely to make all the difference to the acceptance or rejection by the ratepayers of a project that has so much to recommend it.