OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1940, Page 5

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

OUR WATER SUPPLY

(To the Editor).

Sir—l note that at the recent public meeting in connection with the forthcoming poll (unfortunately I could not attend), it was denied that the present scheme was to be regarded as an experiment. This is an interesting statement —especially in the light of Mr A. D. Mead’s report as published in the “Times-Age” on April 23, 1940. Mr Mead is reported thus: “Highly successful results have been obtained from the experiment of cleaning, relining, etc., etc. That is not all, for if the information the writer has received is true (and no other contrary evidence has been exhibited) the advocacy of the expenditure of £10,500 upon cleaning'and relining miles of pipes—none of which was lifted for inspection and verification, constitutes not only an experiment, but one of the greatest gambles in local body history in this town—l am, etc., —“SHERLOCK HOLMES. Masterton, May 4.

The Borough Engineer, Mr C. R. Mabson. referring to the above letter, stated that the scheme was definitely not. an experiment. He had already pointed out that the pipes in question were in structually good order and that practically the whole of the defects in the 12-inch and 18-inch spiral steel pipes were due to rivets blowing out and that, lining would put an end to this trouble. Mr Meads report referred to preliminary tests carried out by the Auckland City Council in 1934, prior to a general adoption of the Tate Process by that body.