THE WATER QUESTION.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 18, 16 March 1870, Page 5

THE WATER QUESTION.

i < '» ■. - ■ '' ' PUBLIC MEETINO

A public mooting of tho inhabitants of Cromwell, called by the Mayor for consideration of the above question, was held in the Town-hall on Friday evening. A considerable number of citizens were present, and groat ihtorest was token.ia the proceedings. The Mayor (Mr 6. W. Goodger) took the chair. In explaining the object for which the mcetirirf had been called, the Chairman said that he had considered it his duty to call a meeting of the ratepayers in order that he might have their Individual opinions on the Water supply question. He might inform thorn that ho had made the subject his study for several years past, and had always considered it of paramount importance that tho town should have a constant supply of pure water. He had a scheme to bring before thorn which he thought was practicable enough, and he had no doubt it could be easily carried out if the ratepayers would put their shoulders to tho wheel, and all lend a helping hand in tho matter. It was au exceedingly fortunate thing that as yet the community of Cromwell had enjoyed such complete immunity from'loss by fire ; but there was no saying when destruction to property in its most terrible form might come, and it was advisable that steps should be at once taken whereby some little security might be felt by holders of property in the township. What the ratepayers wanted was an absolute right to a quantity of water sufficient to give the town a plentiful supply for domestic purposes, and also, in the event of a fire, to have enough at hand to assist in preventing the destruction of property. It had been decided by Judge Gray that a certain quantity of water should flow through the town from Connellan and party's race; and he wished to have the ratepayers' opinion whether it was just that that water should be supplied free, as he had received an intimation from Connellan and party that they intended to have recourse to law in the event of payment for the water being refused by the Corporation. If the ratepayers were of opinion that Connellan and party wefe not entitled to any remuneration, he was prepared to defend any action that might be brought against the Corporation ; if, on the other hand, they gave it as their opinion that Connellan and party were entitled to a fair remuneration for the water-supply, then it would be the duty of the Council to make the best arrangement possible on behalf of the ratepayers. He had stated that he had a scheme for a water supply to bring before the meeting, aud he would now as briefly as possible give an outline of it. The water at present received,' small in quantity though it was, was filthy in the extreme by the time it reached those who used it; and if a pure and constant supply could be obtained, he had no doubt that all would assist in procuring it. What he proposed was that a reservoir, capable of holding 15,000 or 20,000 gallons, should be constructed on the flat at the head of the township—the supply of water to be taken from a point above the, present source where an extra fall of six or eight feet would be obtained. For the present he proposed laying glazed earthenware pipes from the reservoir to the head of Slign-street, from whence the water could in the meantime be taken through the township in a race, boxed-in with boards, until the Council was in a position to lay down iron piping. The length from the head of the race to the reservoir would be about five chains ; from the reservoir to Sligo-streec, \ 2046 feet; and from thence to about a chain below Mr Scott's shop, 11815 feet. That was, 204b' feet of earthenware piping to be. laul in the meantime, and nearly 1200 feet of iron piping at some future date. He had made an estimate of the cost of the scheme, and he found that for £2OO or £250 water could be brought to Sligo-street, and the boxed-in race could probably be completed for £SO, making the total cost about £3OO.

In reply to a question by Mr Smitham, the Chairman said that the cost of laying the iron pipes would not be very great. He thought £l3 to £ls per ton -would bo ahout the cost of the piping, and probably eight or nine tons would be required. The pipes would require to be laid about two feet below the surface, in order to prevent damage to them by traffic. The total cost, cartage included, would be about £250. The question of remuneration to Connellan and party was here again alluded to by Mr Smitham ; the Chairman in reply stating that the Corporation was liable to an action at law if CouneUan and party's claims for payment were not recognised. He wished to have the opinion of the ratepayers on the matter. Mr Smitham : The water has been given to us by Judge Gray, and it is not for you, Sir, to say that the ratepayers shall pay for what is already theirs. I consider that the Council should let Connellan and party take proceedings, aud defend the action on behalf of the ratepayers.

The Mayor said that the water had beon granted by Judge Gray without prejudice as to any right Connellan and party had for payment, and he did not intend to tako the whole risk of allowing the Council to get into the thick of another law action on the subject, and bad sequently called the ratepayers together to have the general opinion on the subject. Mr Smitham : Have you got any iuterest in this water-race, Mr Goodger ? The Mayor : No. I once had an interest, but I sold out. Isold without any conditions whatever. I have nothing whatever to do with the raoe now.

Mr Eurres would not advise the ratepayers to compromise themselves in this matter after Judge Gray's decision. He had decided that the water should flow through the town for the Use of the ratepayers, and consequently it was bound to do so. if Comiellan and party felt theiriselves aggrieved, let them summons the Corporation. He objected to giving therri any claim to the water by paying them for it, arid considered it would be ignoring the judge's decision. Mr Kelly considered that although Judge Gray had decided that Connellari and party must allow one head of water to flow through the town, that decision had not debarred tltoml from claiming payment for so doing.- He thought they were entitled to remuneration for the! Water. He strongly objected to the Corporation funds bei lg again squandered in law expenses, mid considered it -Wjis highly desirable that friendly relations should be established between Ctfri--nellan and party and the ratepayers in the matter.

In order that no misunderstanding might exist in the minds of the ratepayers as to how the,water became the property of the Corpora* tion, the Mayor would endeavour to give the' history of the race from the beginning. There were originally seven shareholders in' the affair, who were subsequently reddced to three—Messrs T. ShanleVj Leslie, and himself, binding that they had not sufficient water foi' their sluicing" operations and for' the town supply, they wished to obtain two more heads.' As they already held .three heads, they;could not obtain 1 any more in their own .names, and to obviate the difficulty they'applied for two extra heads, one for the town o£ Cromwell, and one in the name of one of their men. These were granted by the Warden on the understanding that » hoad of

water should flow through th'o township for the use of thu inhabitants.

Mr Dago would leave it to any- oue present whether, by Mr Goodgor's own showing, Cromwell was not a shareholder in tho race. Mr Wuettkii : When you got the additional water granted, did you understand that the Cromwell head was to bo paid for f Tho Mayor : Yes.

Some further discussion took plaoo, When Mr Marsh proposed " That the thanks of the ratepayers are due to Mr Goodger for giving them an opportunity df expressing thoir opinions oh the impdrtant iriattcf which had been brought before therri. 1 '

Mr M\ Shaxley seconded the motion, which Was carried neni, coil.

As the matter was to be brought forward at a meeting of the Town Council (in the-follow-ing Monday, Mr MAdicuujAß suggested that further consideration of the subject should be deferred until tho action taken by the Council was kriown.-

This-was agreed to, and the meeftrig separated