WOOLPACKS WATER PROBLEM

Chronicle (Levin), 26 September 1946, Page 3

WOOLPACKS WATER PROBLEM

SHANNON qffers suggestion When the Mayor (Mr. R. e. Downes) and members of the Shannon Borough Council were visiting the factory of N.Z. Woolpacks and Textiles. at Foxton last Saturday morning, Mr. F. W. Vickerman, managing-director of che company, stated that one of the company's main worries apart from the labour shortage was to ensure an adequate supply of water for the stripping mlll. The sealing off of the Manawatu River below the Whirokino cut had seriously affected the water supply to the mill, wlhch was drawn from the river, and oonsideration would have to be given to either shifting the mill or bringing good water to Foxton. The shifting of the mill and upstaking of the paddocks would be a costly business, and it appeared as if water would have to be picked up somewhere, A supply of between 6000 and 8000 gallons per minute at the stripping mill, and between 6000 and 8000 gallons a day at th'e factory, was required at tlie p'resent time. Four more strippers would be required to keep the factory going under orclinary conditions and this would mean a further increase in water consumption. "I have always had it in mind," said Mr. Vickerman, "that good and ample water could be obtained from the hills; that, if necessary, we could supplement our local supply from Shannon and possibly extend to the beach and supply all farms en route between. Shannon and Foxton. That may be long sighted at the moment, but I belicve it will corrie.!' The Mayor (Mr.. Downes) said that Shannon had a good water supply, second in quality only to Rotorua's supply. "I think Foxton made a big mistake when .it did not obtain its water from Shannon years ago when it reticulated the borough," he added. "The water is still available and 'it would not be .beyor$. ,the bounds ..possibility to include an ,extehsioriuto Himitangi, but that would prove a costly undertaking today." Mr. Vickerman agreed and expressed the opinion that the time would come when the Government would take over the supply of water to communities as it did the supply of electricity today. Cr. Lind said that the gravitation scheme would probably prove a cheaper proposition than obtaining water from th'e river above the loop, as pumping would be necessary if that scheme were adopted. The Mayor of Foxton (Mr. H. H. Podmore) said that Foxton would not be able to consider any other water supply than the present 'one until such time as the loan for feticulation was liquidated. "Foxton," he added, "has a water supply which many larger towns would be very pleased to have. There is no shortage of water in Foxton even if it is hard." Mr. Vickerman said that if Foxton had the Shannon water they could save the borough rates in soap charges each year.