“Lacks Dignity”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 296, 6 March 1928, Page 9

“Lacks Dignity”

MAYOR ANSWERS MAYOR Auckland’s Water Supply MR. E. H. POTTER'S repeated attacks on the City Council can only lead to the conclusion that he seeks to find weaknesses and shortcoming's where none exists," asserted the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, this morning, referring to Mr. Potter’s attack on the water position, published in this issue (page 12).

The Mayor made the following statement after consultation with Cr. J. A. C. Allum, chairman of the Waterworks Committee, and council officials. “I should like to say that I consider it highly improper for the Mayor of a district to which the city is supplying water, at the present juncture, personally to criticise a proposal which, as a matter of fact, is now under consideration by the City Council, and the adoption or otherwise of which is a matter for its considered judgment. “The council maintains that up to the present its policy has proved sound, both on engineering and financial grounds, but the rapid increase in population and industrial development renders it necessary to expedite the works already in hand and immediately to explore all available upland sources of supply. “If, however, in face of the known facts and impartial judgment of the Water Commission, accompanied by the guidance of the council’s expert officers, Mr. Potter is still of the opinion that the supply is in any way unsatisfactory to his borough, nothing remains but for his council to provide for its requirements in some other direction. “This, however, would be a financial calamity, as it would impose an additional and unnecessary burden over an area which must ultimately come under one control. NO INCREASES SUGGESTED “So far as the question of charge for water is concerned, there has been at no time any suggestion of an increase in the cost of water, either to the citizens or to local bodies supplied by the council. It would be time enough for Mr. Potter to comment on this aspect of the matter when there is any suggestion of an increase in price to his borough. “It may be recalled that the city is now supplying filtered water to Mount Eden, and has not asked for an in-

crease in price notwithstanding the i extra cost to the city. The City Coun- J cil has also offered to supply the i North Shore requirements, and there is no question or suggestion of retraction of that offer. “It is somewhat difficult to follow Mr. Potter in his many ideas as to the source of a suitable water supply for Auckland, as he appears to change his opinion from time to time. Perhaps even Arapuni may not be his final choice. A SURPRISING PETITION “It is surprising to note the remark that market gardeners and horticulturists are forwarding a petition to the Prime Minister asking for the provision of a better source of supply, in view of the fact that notwithstanding the extreme drought prevailing during the past four and a-half months, at no time was there any limitation of supply for any industrial purpose, nor were horticulturists or market gardeners ever placed under the slightest restrictions so far as the City Council was concerned. “The council regards with great satisfaction that, notwithstanding abnormal conditions, no person engaged in industry suffered the slightest inconvenience nor were domestic requirements interfered with in any way. It is greatly regretted that private gardens, parks and sports grounds necessarily suffered, but even in this connection it must be remembered that similar conditions prevailed in other parts of New Zealand. “This, comfitired with the privations country people suffered, might be considered as trivial. “Right through the difficult period a safe position has been maintained, and drought conditions have ended with such a quantity of water in storage as would provide against most extreme conditions. DIGNITY WANTED “Mr. Potter’s repeated attacks on the City Council can only lead to the conclusion that he seeks to find weaknesses and shortcomings where none exists, but it is not proposed, now or at any time, to enter into a discussion on these matters through the public press; for this reason the facts or figures stated by Mr. Potter are not being traversed, and are not at all to be taken as setting out the true position. “The City Council has always been only too willing to discuss matters with local bodies affected by its decisions and to give any information which they required, and it is suggested that in future all these hasty and ill-considered attacks through the press might cease, and information be obtained through the proper channels, and thus allow public affairs to be •conducted with befitting dignity.”