Borough Council.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 440, 18 August 1904, Page 5

Borough Council.

A. epesial meeting of the Alexandra Borough Ooancil was held on Monday evening last, when there were present —Ors Schaunann (in the chait), Gregg, M'Gregor, M'Knight, Laidlaw, and Buchanan. The chairman stated that the business was (1) to hear Mr Rivers suggestions re modifying the agreement between himself and the Borough, and (2) to consdier tenders for alterations to the town hall.

Mr Rivers wag present, and handed in the following written statement, embodying his views [; —

"As suggested ':y the Warden last eourfc day, I bare approached yon with a wiew to arranging how a workable agreement can be arrived at, whereby the agreement that 1 am to deliver a head of water at the Borough intake at all times may be carried out. We have had two cases in Court now, and the result is that my rights and liabilities have been defined, and it is clear that when there is not enough water in the creeks to supply more than the prior rights, I am not bound j to deliver a head of water. To carry the

scheme to a sueceseful issue, both for the ratepayers and myself, it requires some alterations in the existing agreement, whereby I can be assisted in my endeavours to supply the water fit for domestic use at all times, and it is with this in view that I now approach you. •' Tou will qaite understand that to regu» late the flow of water to ex&otly one head at the intake at all times, like a clock, is almost an impossibility when a dam cannot be got nearer than the Stockyard dam, which is over a mile away. To regulate the water, when the dam is full, to deliver ahead at the intake is simple enough, but when it bas been running for some time, and the dam lowers, the amount of water would necessarily be a little less as the pressure [lessened. Whilst this causes a technical breach of the agreement it does not make any appreciable difference to the ratepayers, and should extra water Le turned on, then it for a considerable time would overflow and go to waste, which, whilst being a direei loss to me, would not benefit the Borough, but would be a loss, as this water would empty the reservoir the sooner instead of conserving it. " What I would suggest would be something on the following lines j—•■As the races and the Stockyard dam require cleaning out periodically, a time ruitable to both parties should be agreed on from time to time to do so, and the water turned off whilst doing it as it is impossible to supply the water and clean them out at the same time.

" That your oounoil appoint a person to go with my claim manager and regulate the supply from the Stockyard dam so as to deliver the head at the intake as nearly as can be guaged, and that should it be an inch or fractional part of an inch below the exaefc head at the guage-box at any time this would not he made the cause of an abtioa in court,

" Notice should be given to me if through any cause unknown to me the water be chort in the guage-box so that I might get it attended to. I would suggest that an arbitrator should be appointed by your council and another by myself, to decide when and where the race requires attention, and also to regulate how the water should be delivered in a dry season, and thus avoid goiag into court, which is a eostly and unsatisfactory proceeding for both parties, the ratepayers and. myself. The arbitrators, if unable to agree, to appoint an umpire. I would, if the foregoing meets with your approval, agree to.cut the Mt Campbell water into, the reservoir this season, but at no one can tell whether the slip might go again, I cannot undertake to guarantee to keep it in repair for all time, but would oer tainly try to keep it running into the reservoir for my own, as well as the use of the Borough, if found not to be too costly. To apply for the right to be extended to the reservoir would make me liable for its feaintenanoe for all time, and to do this I would require to be paid a considerable sum of money, but in the meantime I would out it in without prejudice or liability, and keep it going; without any cost to the Borough. I would also undertake to stop sluicing when the water in the reservoir went down to the 25 feet mark, and not start again until the water rose past that mark, "By using the water judiciously in a dry season I see no reason why a constant supply should not always be available although perhaps not always a full head. For the use of thejspare water when not required, I would in the dry weather when required and available torn more than the head of water into the intake at the Borough Reservoir. If this were given effect to I think the ratepayers would be better suited and the scheme would be workable, whioh under the present agreement it is not." Mr Rivers also asked that the Council agree to allow him to clean out the Speargrass race, he agreeing to keep the dam supplied by turning on the water when, the men ceased work for the day. He would also clean out the Stockyard dam, if the Council were agreeable. As in future the water for his new claim would be divided above this dam, it would be for the sole use of the Borough, The various points mentioned in Mr fiivers's letter were diseussed at some i length, and finally it was resolved, on the motion of Or Buchanan, seconded by Or Gregg, that the Borough solicitor be asked to furnish a draft of modiications that may be made in the original agreement satisfactory to the Borough. Some discussion took place regarding the cleaning out of the race, it being pointed out that it was necessary to, clean out the race some time during the year, and that it would be better that this should be done now than later on in the season, when a full supply of water was more urgently required for the town. On the motion of Or Buchanan, seconded by Or Laidlaw, it was unanimously resolved—That Mr Bivers be granted permission to clean out the race and Stockyard dam, on condition I that the reservoir be first filled, and ! Stockyard dam subsequently supplied; also that the dslria from Stockyard dam be run down Edwards' Gully, and not along the course of the race. - Tenders for alterations and additions to the town hall were then considered, and finally it was unanimously resolved on the motion of Or Laidlaw, seconded 7 by Cr Buchanan—That the tender of Mr J Drummey, for the sum of £213, be accepted. Three tenders were received. The Oouncil then rose.