WATER RACE AT MOUNT SOMERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 335, 4 May 1881, Page 2

WATER RACE AT MOUNT SOMERS.

Public Meeting. A meeting of persons interested in the construction of a water-race in the vicinity of Mount Somers, was held at the Hoad Board office, Mount Somers, on Tuesday last. Mr Cookson, senior, was voted to the chair. Mr Baxter, the Cotinty Engineer, was requested to enlighten the meeting as to the proposed scheme of water supply. Mr Baxter stated that the County Council had requested him to attend and lay before the meeting plans of the district to be benefitted, and also his estimate of the cost of construction of twelve miles. He understood the proposed line followed the tramway reserve road, as far as the township, which would be the point of divergence. He also submitted for the meeting’s consideration, a copy of an agreement, whereby interested parties would consent to give a piece of land half a chain wide, wherever the race passed through their property. Mr Taylor thought that if the agreement was signed by the meeting, they would bring themselves under the Water Supply Act, thereby rendering themselves liable for any expense that would in future be incurred.

Mr Edson said that as the County Council had kindly considered the proposed supply so favorably, the matter should at once be considered.

After a long and desultory discussion, Mr J. Wood proposed—“ That the route recommended by the meeting be adopted, viz., from R.S. 22004 into the creek near R.S.’s 17801,15492, 16719, to R.S. 21510; also from divergence through R. S 18513, 17773, to R.S. 24472. The line from the head water to the point of divergence te be left in the hands of the County Engineer to select. ” Mr M'Lymont seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Edson proposed, and Mr Taylor seconded—“ A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Baxter, for his exhaustive explanation of the proposed scheme:”—Carried. After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting adjourned.