OPAKI – LANSDOWNE WATER SUPPLY SCHEME.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9676, 15 December 1909, Page 5

OPAKI - LANSDOWNE WATER SUPPLY SCHEME.

INTERVIEW WITH MR LAINGMEASON.

Interviewed yesterday hy a representative of the Wairarapa Age, Mr Laing-Meason, who was engineer for the recently completed Opaki-Lansdowne water supply scheme, said that he had just completed a comprehensive inspection of the whole works. Everything was in good order, and the Dumping station at Lansdowne was working most satisfactorily * "In fact," said Mr Laing-Meason, "the Lansdowne residents are revelling in the water and are making lavish use of it for their, gardens."

"Will there be any restrictions as to the quantity to be used by residents." "lhere have been no restrictions up to the present, but probably there will be when the by-laws come into force."

"There appears to be an impreasiotrthat4he . .channel receiving the overflow water from the reservaic, will be overcharged with water during the winter time, and will cause flooding to the land contingent to the channel. Do you think there is any prospect of danger from , this source," queried the reporter. "Not at all," said the Engineer, "in fact the overflow will be more easily regulated in the winter time than in the tummer. At present about 12,000 gallons per minute are being put through, but in the winter months only about 5,000 or 6,000 gallons can be required, and with this reduced quantity the overflow could be reduced to a minimum. One pump or two at the outside would do all the work required for the winter months."

Asked for his opinion as to whether I he thought schemes similar to the , Lansdowne one would be instituted , elsewhere, Mr Laing-Meason was very enthusiastic. "The Hydram system," he stated, "was a marvel of cheapness, for the results obtainable, and if the advantages of the system were only better known in the Dominion large numbers of the smaller towns would not hesitate long before they followed the example of the Lansdowne scheme. The value of the system was recognised particularly in America, England and Ireland, where very satisfactory results had followed the installation of the plants.