Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-01-08
AGAINST
Meters bunk
SAYS Campbell
Former Supt. of Public Works
Says Lack of inspection
and Care is Trouble

This proposition of meters not
working in Honolulu is bunk of the
worst kind. II the Honolulu water
works department is not getting salts.
faction, it is due to one cause only
and that is lack of proper inspection
and care. :> .s.s. 81. Vs. ...
Thus did former. Superintendent of
Public Works Marston Campbell en-
phaticalIy place his stamp of disap-
proyal on the proposal Of City Engi-
neer Wall to abolish the meter sys-
TEN, in an interview with tlie Star
Bulletin this morning.
Mr.. Campbell, himself an engineer
Of long standing, spoke from a techni-
cal standpoint, and his argument was
strongly in favor of water meters for
Honolulu He emphasized his asseFA
tion that price and not quality ruled
when the last big order for meters
was placed, and as a result, Mr.. Camp
bell averred, most of these are now
rapidly deteriorating. 49,.
There are three brands of meters
used in Honolulu. They are the Nep
tune, the Hersey and the Keystone
In response to question raised as to
the individual values of the three
types, Mr.. Campbell explained his
opinions >.~ ..... -..... 4: .
THE Neptune and Hersey meters
are splendid meters" he declared
They were among the first ordered
and were chosen because of the excel
lent satisfaction given in Los Angeles,
where there are many thousands in
use. The last supply of meters was
purchased after resigned as super
intendent of public works.
Change in Type of Meter. 49," r..
The original meters installed were
of type of meter where theFinner
works could easily De removed with
out disturbing the meter bed. ..E... .
With such a type of meter it would
be easy for the water works depart.
ment to inspect and care for the me-
ters at frequent intervals, thus length
ening their period of efficiency as me-
ters. However, price ruled and not
quality and as result the city now
has certain meters that refuse to re-
cord accurately" ...-.. .~.
For one thing, there must be a lack
of proper organization in the water
works department for meter inspec.
tion," he continued mo waterworks
manager thoroughly familiar with the
use of meters would expect that
meter could be, installed and would
continue in perfect operation indefi-
n1tely. The meter question resolves
itself into proper organization land
control" :.=..~...
As to Deterioration Of Meters. \
Referring to the assertion of City |
Engineer Wall that the water supplied |
in this city contains acid |
IF such strength that it rapidly de- I
itroys the inner-works Of meters, Mr..
Campbell said: ..".
Acid in water can easily be de- !
ermined by chemical analysis, if such |
S the fact. 1t is easy for manufacture
RS to make meters that will withstand
he socalled acid and corrosion. It
possible that the Nuuanu water at
ines carries considerable amount
f vegetable and mineral matter. how
yer; that interferes in time with the
meters. IL.
"The water works department has
een decidedly fortunate in having
ad a wet summer and wet winter.
he former superintendent of public
'orks asserted, "and also in securing
dditional pumping facilities, and the
apartment has had no occasion to /
lace any restrictions on the use of Fl
ater. IA
1T would require only period Of