Dominion 18 Feb 1915

A DAY AT WAINUI

CITY COUNCIL VISITS THE WATERWORKS

A PLEASANT OUTING

The members of the Wellington City Council, their wives, a few ex-councillors, and friends, paid a visit of inspection to the waterworks at Wainui yesterday. The visit, which is an annual one, was made under the auspices of a flotilla of landaus, which occupied two hours to cover the distance between the city and the grove of pines, the roots of which knit together the lower dam at Wainui.

The weather was not very propitious owing to the north-west gale which raised the dust considerably along the King’s highway between the city and the Wainui Hill, and was rather severely felt at the top of the hill.

At Wainui, the stream below the dam was found to be very low—in places little more than a series of pools—and at the waterworks, the level of the water of the lower dam was five or six inches below the lip of the by-wash. There was, however, a thin film of water overflowing from the Morton Dam, which showed that the flow, even in the present dry season, was more than sufficient to meet the daily demand of the city.

About a quarter of a mile below the lower dam, the new foundations for the main across the bed of the stream (in two places) were observed. These consist of a number of concrete piers, set at regular intervals across the somewhat erratic bed of the creek, on the top of which are laid the pipes all in readiness to be connected up with the main. The main at present is laid across the bed of the stream, but as frequently happens in the winter time when the stream is swollen, scouring takes place under the pipes, and renders them less stable to bear the pressure of the rushing current of the stream. At the points referred to, the main has been lifted above flood level, rendering the risk of accident a good deal less.

The work of connecting up the new mains will not be proceeded with until the end of autumn.

Luncheon in the big marquee, by the lakeside, is one of the most pleasant functions of the year. The meal was served in the best of style by Mr Rowell, of “The Vienna,” and was done full justice to by everyone. At the conclusion of luncheon, the Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) proposed the health of the visitors. In doing so, he briefly reviewed the very fortunate position Wellington had always been in respecting its water supply.

At first there was the reservoir at Karori, then the distributing basin at Wainui, and then, thanks to the forethought of the City Engineer (Mr W. H. Morton), came the Morton Dam, which was a tribute to Mr Morton as an engineer, and a provision that would ensure a splendid water supply for years to come. There was yet another suggestion from the engineer regarding the further extension of the sources of supply, which would occupy the attention of future councils.

Mr Geo. Winder, ex-councillor, replying for the visitors, congratulated the council on its well-kept property at Wainui. His Worship had said that the domain belonged as much to one as to the other round the table. He was sure that they would all like to own it individually.

Mr James Marchbanks (Harbour Board engineer) said that it was some years since he had visited Wainui. When last he was there the new dam was not quite completed, but as an engineer he had taken a great interest in this work. Now he understood the intention was to go a step still farther by tapping the waters of the Orongorongo River. He was pleased to learn that this work was to go on quietly and be done out of revenue, in which manner the water would be brought into use without the cost of its conveyance being felt. This proposal would get over the question of water supply for all time. (Applause.)

Mr Robert Fletcher proposed the health of the Mayor and Mrs J. P. Luke. His Worship had now been in office nearly two years. He was sometimes somewhat arbitrary in his rulings at the council, but whatever was the difference, they were always good friends afterwards. He had had a very strenuous two years of office, and he had had some hard knocks, but no matter what the trouble was, he (Mr Luke) always came up smiling. (Laughter and applause.)

In reply, the Mayor said that if he had satisfied the council and given fair satisfaction to the community, he was gratified.

Mr J. E. Fitzgerald proposed “The Ladies,” which was suitably responded to.

Mr Frost proposed “The Press,” referring to the very satisfactory treatment the council always received at the hands of the press, and incidentally deploring the loss of time that so frequently occurred at council meetings. Suitable replies were made by the visiting pressmen.

During the afternoon, the majority of the party visited the Morton Dam, and were given a general indication of the locality of the proposed tunnel through the hill to the valley of the Orongorongo. Others went blackberrying, and succeeded in gaining a plentiful supply both for immediate consumption and for the less fortunate people at home.