HON. W. HALL-JONES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11484, 17 January 1903, Page 5

HON. W. HALL-JONES.

VISIT TO HANMER.

INSPECTION OF THE WATER SUPPLY.

(special to "the press.")

HANMER SPRINGS. January 16.

In the course of investigations this mowing with regard to the Hannwr water supply and drainage, the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. W. Hall-Jones), accompanied by Mr R. W. Holmes {Inspecting Engineer), and Mr J. L. Gould (Manager of the Spa), paid a visit, to Dogy Creek, one of the proposed sources for en improved water supply. The Spa, the poet office, Mis Lahmert's, Miss Fawcett's, and the school get their water from half-inch pipes brought down from a water race from Dog Creek at pi-oent, but the supply is not nearly .sufficient for the whole township. Mr A. W. Rutherford states that the creek would never make a satisfactory source for a general supply, as it occasionally goes dry. A more favoured suggestion is that of Mr H. L. Rogers, contractor, who has done a good doul of woik in the district, and knows its requirements fairly intimately, that a main pipe of about nine inches should be taken from tb-e Rogenson river, 1J miles from Hanmer. where it is stated an inexhaustible supply could be procured, with ;v fall of 80 feet In the case of Dog Creek, the fal! is only 29 feet. The supply so obtained would be .'utKcient for all household purposes, and u'.so for Hushing a main drain when such is constructed. After talking the matter over with Mr Rutherford and Mr Rogers, Mr Hall-Jones stated that he fully recognised the importance of a proper system of water supply and drainage, and approved of the Rogerwon river suggestions. He added that 10 would place the matter before Sir Joseph Ward on his return to Wellington, and that an expert would be sent to the place shortly tr> consider the whole scheme. Mr HallJones further suggested that when the new system of supply had been b'.\nigiit about. the water could be run into turbines, ana sufficient power could be obtained to lisrht. up the Sanatoiium grounds, and for that matter the township, with i4e;.tricity. it, is understood that, in the cvp:it of a main being brought from the Ivogerson river, the Government would pay for its co*t. and re.sideiits would connect at their own expense, paving a Kii'.all puce for th* water. This, it is stated, they would l>9 very willing to do. A vote of £150 lms already been placed on the Estimates for the construction of the proposed track up Majulxi Hill, with provision of seats, etc., for visitors. Mr Hull-Jones .states that the woik will be set about almost immediately, and will certainly be completed before next tseason. Ifwas. pointed out to the Minister for Public Works that even if the mineral waters at the springs should ever run short, there are other springs at Oow Creek, near St. James's, about twenty miles further on. which could easily be developed and made more accessible. " Mr Hall-Jones stated that the land on which they are situated will shortly be declared a Government reserve, in view of the possibility of such development. Another matter which the Minister for Public Works promised to place before hi* eolreacrues is the extension of the building* and ground at the Sanatorium. It wan explained that by doing away with the present road between the grounds of the establishment and the plantation opposite, and taking in the plantation, an additional breadth of two chains would lie addied to the whole length of the Spa grounds. Tha Amuri road, on the further aide of the plantation,, would then be used as the coach road. Mr Hall-Jones was quite in accord with the proposals, stating that extensions would have to be made at some time, and they might just as well take place in the near futur*. In the afternoon the Minister for Public Warks, in company with Mr R. W- Holmes and Sir William J. Steward and party, was driven some distance up Jollies Pass, and afterwards up Hood's Pass. He returns to Ohristchurch to-morrow, and leaves for Wellington in the evening. Sir Wm. J. Steward and party, who have spent a very pleasant three weeks at Hanmer, leave to-morrow morning for Amb&rley. They will continue their journey to Christcfliurch on Monday,- and remain a couple of days in the city before proceeding home.