LAKE ST. JOHN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 493, 24 October 1928, Page 6

LAKE ST. JOHN

ONEHUNGA OPPOSES DRAINAGE INFORMATION WANTED Further light was shed on the I proposal to drain Lake St. John, by ‘ a letter from the Waitemata Drainage j Board, read at the Onehunga Borough Councils meeting last evening. It now appears that the board's engineers consider that it would be j very unwise to attempt to do away • with the lake at any time, because it j is practically essential to have a lake j •-•f considerable dimensions to catch and I hold the surface water until it drained j through the tunnel. The intention was to run off the , water temporarily, so that the adjoin- ! ing land could be drained and allowed to solidify. A permanent edging would , then be provided, thus making the lake of uniform depth, sufficient to prevent weeds growing through it. It was intended to have a lake which would i prov.de a real beauty spot. The letter | stated the City Council's views were in harmony with this scheme, and the 1 Onehunga Council need have no apprehension regarding the future of the ! lake. It would be a simple matter to refill the lake at any time, should it be found the Onehunga springs were being depleted, as the outlet from the lake to the well could be raised or lowered as desired. Mr. F. S. Morton objected to the lake being drained without a guarantee j that the Onehunga water supply would ; not be jeopardised. It was decided to ask for a plan of j the proposed work, showing the area ! and depth to be maintained, and the j nature of the edging. It was decided to oppose the scheme until i information was supplied. ,