UNFIT TO DRINK?

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 9, 1 April 1927, Page 9

UNFIT TO DRINK?

AUCKLAND’S WATER

A DECOMPOSING CONTENT

COMMISSION SITS AGAIN

The sitting of the Royal Commission appointed by the , Minister of Health to investigate Auckland’s present and future sources of water supply resumed at ten o’clock this morning, A preliminary sitting to set up the order of procedure was held on Monday morning, after which the Commission adjourned for the purpose of carrying out an inspection of the City Council waterworks and also those at Onehunga and Lake Takapuna.

The commission consists of Mr. A. W. Blair, solicitor, of Wellington, chairman; Mr. A. J. Baker, Public Works engineer, Wellington; and Mr. A. D. Dobson, civil engineer, Christchurch. Interested bodies were represented as follows:—Mr. A. H. Johnstone, Auckland City Council; Dr. A. H. Chesson, Auckland district office of the Health Department; Mr. F. E. Powell, North Shore Boroughs’ Water Board; Mr. J. E. Cowell, Onehunga Borough Council; and Mr. H. M. Rogerson. Borough Councils of Mount Eden, Mount Albert, Newmarket, Takapuna and Avondale. One Tree Hill and Mount Roskill Road Boards, the Manurewa, Papatoetoe and Ellerslie Town Boards, and the Manukau County Council. At the commencement of this morning’s proceedings, Mr. Rogerson intimated that the Boroughs of Otahuhu and Pukekohe and also the Town Board of New Lynn also desired to be associated with the claim for a Provincial Water Board. He wanted it made clear that it was the formation of such a board that the various local bodies he represented had joined forces. “PAYING TOO MUCH.” Evidence regarding the formation of the Auckland Provincial Water Board and the state of the water supplied to residents was given by Mr. S. Gray, Town Clerk, Mount Eden Borough Council and secretary of the Provincial Water Board Committee. Mr. Gray stated thta the formation of the board was the outcome of a letter received from the Minister of Health, as a result of which a committee was formed and a bill subsequently presented to the House of Representatives. The board did not press for any particular supply, but desired to obtain expert advice on the best scheme, and act theeron. The Auckland City Council had been asked to become a party to the bill, but had refused t odo so. At the present time they considered they were paying too

much money for an inferior supply. They weer also not satisfied as to the continuity of the supply, or as to the quality of the water. ANALYST’S REPORT His council obtained an analysis from Mr. A. J. Parker, which stated that the two samples submitted showed a considerable amount of decomposing: and organic matter, making: it unfit for human consumption. The excessive colouring was due to unsoluble suspended matter, the analysis also indicating that the colour was due not to erosion in the pipes, but from red clay silt. The report concluded by stating that Xo. 1 sample was bad water, unfit for human consumption, while Xo. 2 was five times as bad, and totally unfit for any domestic purpose whatsoever. Continuing Mr. Gray said that for a number of years past the supply had been attempting to catch up with the consumption on one occasion his council being forced to cart water to residents. For the twelve months ending March, 1926, the local bodies concerned had paid £ 127,103 for that supply. “SHILLING A GALLON.” In reply to Mr. H. H. Johnstone, Mr. Gray said that if a satisfactory price for the supply could be arrived at it would not overcome their objections to the supply. He agreed that the City Council had supplied them with water from the very beginning, but it was not altogether on philanthropic grounds. Mr. Johnstone: You get it for Is a gallon. Mr. Rogerson (interjecting): This can’t be water you are talking about! Mr. Johnstone: I meant a shilling a thousand. Mr. John Routley, Mayor of Pukekohe, said that his council would favour a scheme that would give an adequate supply to his borough and other local bodies in the district. The council’s present supply was obtained within the borough.