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. If 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" %-..... 49,.
Thus did former Superintendent OF
Public Works Marston Campbell en-
phatically plaos-his stamps OF disap-
proval on the proposal OF City Engi.
neer Wall to abolish the meter sys-
tenn, in an interview with the Star
Bulletin this morning.
Mr.. Campbell, himself an engineer
of long standing, spoke from q techfii-
cal standpoint, and his argument was
strongly in favor of water meters for
Honolulu. He emphasized his asseF-
tion that price and not quality ruled
when the last big order for meters
was placed, and as result, Mr.. Camp
bell averred, most of these are now
rapidly deteriorating. r
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. - .
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
of public works.
Change in Type Of Meter. -.
''The original meters installed were
of type of meter where the inner
works could easily ne removed with
out disturbing the meter bed. 3.
with such a type of meter ii 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 lack
Of proper organization in the water
works department for meter inspec-
tion," he continued. "No waterworks
manager thoroughly familiar with the
use of meters would expect that
meter could be installed and would
continue in perfect operation indefi-
nitely. The meter question resolves
itself into proper organization rand
control" .......: 49,.
As to Deterioration Of Meters.
Referring to the assertion of City
Engineer Wall that the water supplied
consumers in this city contains acid
of such strength that it rapidly de-
stroys the inher-Works Of meters, Mr..
Campbell said:
Acid in water can easily be de.
termined by chemical analysis, if such
is the fact 1t is easy for manufactur-
ers to make meters that will withstand
the socalled acid and eorrosion. 1t
is possible that the Nuuanu water at
times carries a considerable amount
of vegetable and mineral matter, how
ever, that interferes in time with the
meters. L. .
The water works department has
been decidedly fortunate in having
had wet summer and a wet winter, ~
the former superintendent of public
works asserted, "and also in securing
additional pumping facilities, and the
department has had no occasion ia