CLYDE WATER SUPPLY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 462, 24 February 1871, Page 3

CLYDE WATER SUPPLY.

A public meeting for the purpose of taking into consideration matters affecting the supply of water to the town of Clyde, convened by the Mayor, on a requisition signed by a number of ratepayers, was held at Hawthorne’s Clyde Hotel, on the evening of Saturday, the 18th inat. It was adjourned till the following Monday, as Mr. Feraud—whose action in the matter was likely to l>e subjected to criticism —was prevented by illness from attending.

On Monday last the adjourned meeting took place, the Mayor (James Hazlett) Esq. presiding. The proceedings commenced by the Chairman stating the reason the meetin t was adjourned from Saturday, viz., to fair play to Mr. Feraud. He then in-

Bnnncd the meeting, that upon taking the chair, a letter from Mr. Feraud had been handed to him, which he suggested the meeting should dispose of before commencing other business. After a discussion it was decided that the letter should bo received and read. On the letter being read, a motion that it ho consigned to the waste paper basket was passed, it being the unanimous opinion of the meeting that in semiring it Mr. Feraud had been guilty of a piece of gross impertinence.

Mr. Facho said Mr. Feraud had taken a great liberty in meh tanning his (Mr. Fache’s) name in the manner’ ho did in his letter, and explained several matters mentioned therein. As one having a stake in Clyde, he had several times conversed on the water question ■ with Mr. Feraud, and had told him they did not want his, or anyone clse’s assistance in providing water for the town, for the ratepayers Wore perfectly able and willing to assist themselves ; and that he (Mr. Facho) would cause such steps to lie taken as would secure a sufficient supply of water. He then reviewed the -action taken by the farmers of the Wai Keri Keri Valley, under the leadership of Mr. Feraud against Mr. Holt, saying, that the former seemedi desirous of tiring out the Court so as to secure his end. Mr. Feraud had brought repeated actions against Mr. Holt, not for the benefit of the town, as he wished to make out, but to got Holt’s water-nght cancelled, and transferred to himself, so that he, instead of Mr. Holt, should receive the benefit derived therefrom. Ho considered the ratepayers of "Clyde should take some action, to show Mr. Feraud the estimation in winch his ■conduct was held. They onght to do all in their power to prevent Holt’s right being ■cancelled and transferred to Feraud. He moved :—“ That this meeting, hiking into •consideration the action taken by Mr. Ferau l anil others, against Mr. Holt, with the view' of having Mr. Holt’s license to a certain quantity of water from the Wai Kcil Keri Valley cancelled and transferred to themselves is detrimental, to and against the true interests of the town of Clyde, are of opinion that the townspeople should combine to protect tlicir interests, and if deemed advisable, shoulel pledge itself to assist in do framing any expense that may bo incurred in obtaining legal assistance to teat the question.” In supporting his pnqiosition he must appeal to them to put their hands in their pockets to secure their rights, as it would be perfectly futile to go into Court without legal assistance. He had almost forgotten to mention one of Sir. Feraud's expressed wishes. That gentleman in his application for the cancellation of Holt’s right stated, that the water was diverted from the use to which it was intended by being applied to irrigate the gardens •about the town. Mr. Feraud wished to destroy the enly attractive features of the place, in order (o make the people buy all the vegetables they wanted from him. Mr. Fachc concluded by stating that, if 'the townspeople did not combine, and put their hands in their pockets, they would suffer. Mr. M'Conochie said, he thought there was no necessity for the meeting being ■called as the ratepayers ought to support the Council in whatever action they took in the matter He had groat pleasure in seconding Mr. Fache’s motion. The motion was then put and carried ncm con.

Mr. Barlow moved—“ That this meeting is of opinion that an objection should Ik; lodged ivgainst the application of Mr. Fcraud and others, for leave to construct a Taco from the Win Keri Keri Vnlloy to the town of Clyde, for the ostensible purpose of supplying the town of Clyde with water for ■domestic use, and hereby subscribe themselves ai willing to defray the attendant expenses.” Mr. Barlow said ho did not Ixdieve that Mr. Fcraud intended to supply the town of Clyde with water if he suc■ceeded in obtaining Holt’s water-right. Mr. Fcraud’s sole intention was to secure for himself the use of the water of the Wai k Keri Keri Creek, so that he could sell his ■ farm—the “ gravel pit." Mr. Fcraud had I also public’y stated his intention to have | Mr. Holt’s coal-pit, and had even gone so far as to inform some residents in the district that ho would work it with a steam engine, and sell the coals at a considerably lower price than was at present charged. He had no particular sympathy with Mr. Holt, but would strenuously resist being placed at the mercy of a man like Mf. Feraud. He would willingly subscribe £2O to see the town i ndependent in regard to the water supply, of both Feraud and Holt. Feraud—it was a well known fact—had stated that gardens irrigated by the water ■of the Wai Keri Keri Creek, spoiled the sale of his vegetables, and he (Mr. Barlow was convinced, that if Feraud got Holt’s water-right he would not allow a single drop of water to . come into Clyde unless ho were paid an exorbitant price therefore, and would not let them have any whatever to irrigate the gardens. Mr. Hastie seconded the proposition, which was carried unanimously. Mr. M’Connochic wished every one to understand that he considered the towns-

people ought to support the Corporation in their contract with Mr. Holt. He moved —“ That for the interest of this town, this meeting considers it necessary to appoint a Committee to protect the water supply to the town of Clyde ; and that such Committee may take any steps they may think proper, and report to a meeting of the ratepayers, to lie called at a future day, to consider the important matter.” At the suggestion of Mr. Cambridge Mr. M’Connoehio withdrew his motion.

Mr. Cambridge then moved—“ That, as the action taken by Mr. Feraud ami others, with resard to the water sup ply of the town, is likely to affect it most detrimentally, this meeting suggests the propriety of the Town Council memoraliwng the General Government to bring before the coming session of the House of Representatives a Bill to endow the town of Clyde with a permanent supply of water.” The motion was seconded by Mr. M'Connochie, and carried.

Mr. Hneston moved—“ That the chairman, as Mayor of the town of Clyde, be requested to give effect to the foregoing resolutions.”

Mr. Grindley seconded the motion, which was put aiul carried.

The Chairman said that from the unanimous expression of opinion that had taken place, it behoved the Municipal Council to take action in the matter. Had the meeting not, however, taken place, he believed he was stating the sentiments of the Council in saying that that body would use every effort to secure a permanent supply of water for the town. A great deal of strong language had been used in the matter at present under consideration—perhaps unnecessarily. The first grant to Holt had been made to supply Clyde with water, and the town paid Holt a certain sum to keep the race in repair, and allow water for the use of the town to run in it—that was all the town had to do with Holt. Thoreso'u- . tions passed by the meeting strengthened the hands of the Council in any action they might take for the protection of the rights of tße town ; the Inst resolution, however, was almost unnecessary, as he was sure the Council would act immediately in the matter.

Mr. Cambridge, before the meeting broke up, would like to know if the Council 1 intended to lodge an objection against Mr. Feraud’s application. Mr. Brough said, to save time, he would inform the meeting that an objection had l>een lodged by Mr. Bailey, on behalf of Mr. Holt

The Chairman, stated that upon the resolution tl\at had been passed, hj , ns Mayor wouKi tied, that an objection on Ixthalf of was lodged in the Warden's Wirlm the morning. Mr. Facho washed to disabuse the minds of the Mayor and Councillors of the ini. pression they seemed to entertain, that the ratepayers considered that they would not take action in the matter. The meeting had beeu ieaJlod tojstvengthen the hands of the Corporation ; to show that the providing the funds requires! would not fall upon that Ixjdy, but would be subscribed by the people, and to show the Governiriene that the townspeople were determined to have a supply of water, A vote of thanks to the chair brought the proceedings to a termination.