AUCKLAND MUNICIPAL HANDBOOK
centre of commerce, there seems every reason to anticipate that within the next ten to fifteen years the population will be doubled, and the demand for water proportionally increased."
Mr. Moriarty's opinion of the future of Auckland, both as regards population and commerce, has been fully proved. His report on the Western Springs was adopted by Council, which purchased Motion's property for £20,000, and work was commenced in 1875, Messrs. T. & S. Morrin being the successful tenderers for the supply of pipes, machinery, and the whole of the work of reticulation. The undertaking, which was supervised by Mr. W. Errington, C.E., was completed in July, 1877, when the water was turned into the City reservoirs.
Mr. Moriarty's estimate that the Western Springs supply would serve the City for 25 years from the date of his report, was also shown to be correct, as in 1899 it became evident that an auxiliary supply must be obtained for summer consumption, to meet the requirements of the rapidly growing city. At this time, Mr. H. Munro Wilson, C.E., and the late H. W. Atkinson, suggested the possibility of obtaining an auxiliary supply from Nihotupu (running water only), carried along the southern side of the dividing range. This scheme was approved by the Council, and in May 1900, an additional supply of one million gallons per day was turned into the City reservoirs. For two months before the new supply became available the citizens had
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