NORTH SHORE WATER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 298, 8 March 1928, Page 11

NORTH SHORE WATER

DISPUTE OVER WAITAKERE “ONLY SECURING INFORMATION” “The reported decision that tho North Shore Water Board has finalised the Waitakere water scheme for the Ncrth Shore, is wrong,” stated Mr. Aldridge, Mayor of Devonport, last evening. He declared that the board was seeking information only. The question was raised by Mr. T. Walsh, who moved that the Devonport representatives on the North Shore Water Board be instructed to oppose the scheme for going to the Waitake res for water. Mr. Aldridge, in a lengthy statement, admitted that recent events had caused a reversal of public opinion as to the value of the Waitakeres, but he took his stand on the report of the Water Commission and on the reputation of the board’s engineer. The board was getting information. In any case the borough councils and the ratepayers would have to pass judgment on any proposal. Although the lake had fallen there was nothing to indicate that any fresh source cf supply would have to be obtained for some years. Mr. Walsh said that if the Mayor took his stand on the Water Commission’s report, then he should know that it recommended the North Shore to go to Rangitopuns. The newspaper reports showed conclusively that the board was endeavouring to put the Waitakere scheme across to North Shore, but it would be voted down 50 to one. The Jake le-vel varied three feet between summer and winter before there was any pumping from the lake. The engineer who was now recommending ; Waitakere had previously recommended jin turn, the Lower Wairau, the Upper I Wairau, and Rangitopuni. ; There was no water in summer in the Waitakeres ard it would be madness to spend a quarter of a mill.on to run a pipe line there and have no water to put in the pipe when it got there. Mr. W. S. Campbell, in seconding the motion, said he knew that several of the Water Board members had made up their mind to go to Waitakere. One member had told him he was “tooth and nail for it.” and the North Sh<>r«? would have Waitakere water whether it wanted it or not. Mr. Ellisdon was against tying the hands of delegates and considered tlv. motion out of order. Nothing had bo n decided by the Water Board. Mr. Browne remarked that e"• extra storage at Waitakere, on which the Mayor had laid emphasis, would be of little help if th- Western Spriris ! was abandoned by the city. On a division only mover ■* d seconder voted for the motion.