CLYDE WATER SUPPLY

Dunstan Times, Issue 487, 18 August 1871, Page 2

CLYDE WATER SUPPLY

A public meeting of ratepayers was held at the Library on Tuesday evening last, in accordance -with a Resolution passed at the last sitting of- th« Council, to consider and discuss the proposed application to the General A sssembly for the passing of the "Clyde Water-works Bill." The Mayor, James Hazlett, Esq., J.P., occupied the chair. The meeting wag numerously attended, and considerable interest evinced in the proceedings. The chairman explained that the meeting had been called in pursuance of a motion propose* by Councillor Brough, to the effect that the opinion of the ratepayers should be ascertained as to whether it would be expedient, under present circumstances, to proceed with the application for the Bill, or defer further action until certain necessary regulations, not yet complied with, had been duly attended to. He called on Mr, Brough, as mover of the motion, to state the point at issue. Mr. Brough explained that an application for a Bill, giving legal powers to the Municipal Council to construct the nee >sary works for bringing in a supp y of water for the township from the Wai Keri Keri Valley had been already made by Mr. Wilson, acting on behalf of the Counci', and the standing orders of the Lower House had been du y complied with ; but it appeared that the standing or'ers of the Upper House differed from those of the Lower, and Mr. Wilson, not knowing this, had been unable to comply therewith within the prescribed time. Hence a risk arose of the Bill falling through, and the members of the Town Council felt some unwillingness in aeceping the responsibili y of persevering with an application which might, not be g.iantcd on account of technical informality, and spending, perhaps, 3001. or 400/. of the Municipal funds to no good purpose. Mr. Wilson, very properly, had declined giving any legal opinion on the mater, referring the Council to the opinion of the agents engaged, Messrs. Hait and Buckley, an eminent legal firm at Wellington. Tluse gentlemen said it might be possible to get the standing orders in the Upper House susp nded, in ortler to remove any present obstacle iu the passing of the Bi 1. Still a douht existed as to this being accomplished, and he (Mr. Brough) thought it should rest with the ratepayers to decide whether the business be proceeded with in its present form or not. The actual expense of getting the Bill passed would be, perhaps, 300/. Besides this, compensation would have to be made to the leaseholders in the valley, possibly also to Mr. Holt, for any infringement of existing rights ; and to this must be added the cost of works, service pipes, &c. The ratepayers should therefore express their views of the subject, for the protection of their own interests and the guidance of the Council. The chairman said it should be remembered that it was absolutely necessary to get a certain an] undisputed supply of water for the township. Sooner or later they must rid themselves of the annoyance of being at the mercy of one or two individuals, who turned off the water just when it suited their own fancy or convenience. He thought that, if it cost even 1,000/., the money would be reproJuctively expended. Under the proposed scheme it would be a very easy matter to make satisfactory arrangements with the residents in the valley. The Bill provide i that all claims for compensation should be se tied by a. titration. Even in the probable demands to be made by Mr. Feraud, they would not have to consider the amount of his claim, but the decision of legally appointed arbitrators. If the Bill was thrown out on account of the standing orders not being complied with, they would lose from 200/. to 300/. On the other hand, the difficulty might not be so great as they anticipated. His own opinion was, that, as they had plenty of money in h- nd, they should see the bus ness through, and endeavor to place the town at one* in an independent position He would make a suggestion that each ratepayer present should give in writing his opinion,'" Yes" or "No,' and siyn his name thereto. The Council then, on comparing the names with the lists of properties represented, would bu able to judge whether public opinion liad been fairly represented at the present meeting or not. Councillor Hastie spoke in favor of having the matter postponed until the next Session of the Assembly. Mr. Holt asked if he was correct in supposing that it was intended to buy up the righto of the farmtrs in the valley. The Chairman replied that it was not so indeuded, but a clause had been inserted in the proposed Acr, providing payment of compensation for any damage or loss that might arise from the action of the Council. In reply to some remarks of Mr. Holt's, relative to waste of water by Mr. Feraud, Mr. Clark guve, as an opinion, that Mr. Firaud, being now permitted to let the water flow down its natural channel, could not be legally charged with wasting it, ev< n if ten hean's of water were first turned in, out of which only one reached his ground, the rest being absorbed by the gravelly bed of the creek. Mr. Cox asked, if an independent right of water could be obtaine I for 600/., would it not be better to leave Mr. Feiaud, the Wai Keri Keri fai mers, and Mr. Holt out of the question altogether. He felt confident that for 600/. a much better supply might be got from an entirely different source. The Chairman asked . U.Mr. Cox referred to the chance of obtaining a supply from the Pioneer Race. They might get that certainly, but if land was thereafter. taken up for cultivation on the line of race they would, perhaps, have the same to contend with as now existed witH regard fi> the' Wai Keri Keri supply. Mr. Cox wai understood to say that for COO?, ho would .guarantee to lift wator from

Rom the river in ample quality, Mr. Newell asked how much {money bad been already expended on account of the proposed Bill. The Chairman said possibly 501., including the survey. Mr. Newell thought it strange that the opinion of the ratepayers had not been asked at a much earlier period. In fact, before any such money had been ex pended- ' g The Chairman explained that the difficulty at present under discussion was one that no person here could have possibly foreseen. Some conversation then ensued, upon the desirability of obtaining a supply of water from other souices than the Valley. Mr. Brough rose to a point of order, explaining that the only question before the meeting was tbe deferring or otherwise of the application for the “Water Works Bill." Tlie subject of another supply of water might be discussed hereafter. Mr. Newell asked if he was quite right in supposing that the question before the m eting was, whether the Ratepayers were prepared to lisk 3001. or 400/. on the chance of the Bill being passed at once, or would they pre r er fuithcr action being postponed until the next session of the Assembly. Cr. Brough said Mr. Newell had stated the question very lucidly. That was the exact proposition to be considered. Any action in the matter would be at the risk of the Ratepayers. Mr. Holt said instead of spending so much money now, they should have bought Mr. Feraad out some time since and got rid of a disagreeable opponent. Some one remarked that, had Mr. Feraud been bought out of one fa. m he would probably have taken up another on the creek, and become ns trouble' some as e\cr. Mr. C ark said that as one of the Town Council, he would rather that a ratepayer should move the first resolution in the matter ; hut as no one seemed prepared, he would, in order to gain an expression of opinion move :—“That further action in the Ciy ie WaterWorks Bill,’ be deferred unti the next session of ihe Legislative Assembly. Ml - . Moore seconded the resolution. Mr. Holt thought the ratepayers should also say whether the scheme wan worth carrying out at all or not. The Ratepayers ought to have known more of the business before any money had been expended. The Chairman said every one knew of the matter, the pi oC"edings of Council were pub I’sbed in the paper, the matter had been discussed in public .vd in private. Mr. Holt himself bad actually assisted to choose a site for the proposed reservoir long before any expenses had been incurred. Councillor Patterson moved a lo mal amendment:—“ That the present application for tbe Water Works Bill be at once 'proceeded with at all risks.” Mr. We .two d seconded the morion. •>n a show of hands being called for, the Chairman declared the amendment lost. The original motion was thin put and carried, almost unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chair terminated the proceedings.