Reservoir Collapse to be Investigated

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 607, 8 March 1929, Page 1

Reservoir Collapse to be Investigated

MR. FURKERT ASKED STATE OFFICER TO REPORT The Auckland City Council has assured the Mount Eden Domain Board that all damage done to the mountain by the recent dam collapse will be made good. The Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department, Mr. F. W. Furkert, is to be asked to report upon the cause of the burst, or to appoint an officer for the job. JN its report to the City Council last evening, the Water Committee announced that an understanding had been made with the Fletcher Construction Company—contractors for the dam —on the following lines: The contractor will proceed with the carrying out of the contract and will leave the site of the actual break intact until the council concludes its investigations into the cause of the accident, not exceeding one month. Kepresentatives of the contractor and council .will confer and endeavour to agree as to:

(a) What modifications (if any) are required in the method of carrying out the contract.

(.b) The cost of repairing any damage done to the new works and bringing the job up to the condition it was in before the accident, including loss of or damage to tools, plant and material.

(c) Where it is not possible to agree upon a lump sum for any of the above items it shall be computed on the basis of cost plus 5 per cent. (d) This arrangement and the carrying out of work hereunder is without prejudice to the question of liability. This agreement was confirmed by the council, and the Water Committee was authorised to act with the city solicitor in dealing with urgent questions arising from the mishap. “GETTING THE FACTS” Immediately the report was read Cr. W. H. Murray rose to comment upon it, but the Deputy-Mayor, Cr. A. J. Entrican, reminded him that any discussion upon the report at this stage would be unwise. The question was one of legal responsibilities, and the council’s solicitor was watching the interests of the city. Cr. Murray said the report contained certain recommendations which, if adopted, would debar the council from discussing them at all. It was time the council knew the facts— Cr. Entrican: You have all the facts. The facts were before the committee. Mr. E. J. Phelan: Of course, the report will be discussed by the council when it is presented. Cr. Entrican: Of course. Cr. Murray: If Mr. Furkert cannot act for us. he is empowered to appoint another officer. Councillors: He may recommend another. Cr. Entrican: He must be given full power to appoint another officer if he cannot act. Mr. Murray: Why so? Cr. Entrican: That is the decision of the committee, and I think it is a wise one. REMOVAL OF EVIDENCE Cr. T. Bloodworth. after complaining of the delay which occurred in circulating to councillors the Water Committee chairman’s report, on the morning of the reservoir’s collapse, said he had visited the site of the mishap and had found that evidence which might reveal the cause of it, was being cleared away. He had asked that this be stopped, because if it were removed, a correct finding would be difficult. Cr. S. I. Crookes: The committee stressed this point particularly. Cr. Bloodworth: The stuff was being removed up to 4 o’clock yesterday. Mr. J. A. C. Allum, chairman of the Water Committee, apologised for the delay in circulating his memorandum of Monday morning, but asked Cr. Bloodworth to appreciate the difficult circumstances attending the mishap.

Cr. Entrican: I think our officers acted with great promptitude. The supply was on again at 11.30 a.m.