DRAINING LAKE ST. JOHN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 468, 25 September 1928, Page 14

DRAINING LAKE ST. JOHN

OBJECTION FROM ONEHUNGA A proposal by the Waiatarua Drainage Board to empty Lake St. John is strongly opposed by the Onehunga Borough Council, owing to a remote possibility that the borough’s water supply may be affected. The town clerk of Auckland, Mr. J. S. Brigham, notified the borough council that the Waiatarua Drainage Board has offered tile City Council the sum of £2OO if the work of emptying the lake was put in hand immediately. The City Council had accepted the offer subject to- roadiing and other work being carried out at Waiatarua. It had, however, not been decided definitely to proceed with the work. In discussing the question, Cr. F. S. Morton recounted that some ten years ago the drainage board had made a similar attempt to drain the lake and had tried to get legislation enacted enabling it to do so. The Onehunga Borough Council, however, had raised such objections to the enabling Bill that it was withdrawn. He said that the Waiatarua Board could not legally drain the lake without Onehunga’s permission, as it was the opinion of good authorities that the lowering of the water levels in the vicinity of the lake would seriously interfere with the Onehunga springs. Cr. Moor: I would like to test the proof of that statement. There is a difference of opinion and emptying the lake would settle the point. Cr. H. A. Stoupe, chairman of the Waterworks Committee, said that he would take no risks' with the water supply. “It may or may not affect the springs,” he said, “but safety comes first and I shall oppose t any interference with the lake.” Cr. R. G. Speight was of the opinion that there was no connection between the lake and the Onehunga. springs. Last summer’s drought had reduced the level of Lake St. John abn r #*mally, but the Onehunga Springs had shown not the slightest diminution. The Mayor, Mr. W. C. Coldicutt, expressed surprise that any attempt should be made to spoil the only piece of lake beauty on the isthmus. It was one of the most picturesque spots within a radius of 40 miles, and such a natural asset could never be replaced. It was decided unanimously to enter a strong protest to the City Council against the lake being interfered with.