WATERWORKS AT TOKOMAIRIRO.

Evening Star, Issue 3837, 11 June 1875, Page 3

WATERWORKS AT TOKOMAIRIRO.

A deputation from Tokomaxriro, consisting Of Messrs Goodall (mayor), G. Coombe, and T. Marryatt, this morning waited upon Iris Honor the Superintendent in connection the establishing of waterworks at Tokomairiro. Mr Goodall said a local company was in course of formatiori for the purpose of bringing in a supply of water to the town, and to give confidence in the undertaking his Honor, was now asked if the Provincial, Government would guarantee a certain rate of .interest to the shareholders. 'The entire cost of the works would amount to only LB,OOO or 810,000, as the' water could he obtained from the dam of the Canada Quartz-crushing Co., which would ftirnish an abundant supply. The population of Tokomairiro was increasing so rapidly that waterworks were absolutely necessary, the only present supply being obtained from wells, which did not at all answer the purpose. His HonoA said no doubt it was very desirable that they should obtain a supply of water, and he was glad to see they were putting their hands into their pockets in that direction; but unfortunately the Government and Council, if they wished it ever so much, were debarred by the Public Debts Act of 1873 from giving such ,a guarantee, • They could not even borrow, though they could authorise others to borrow. The company would have to get an Act in the General Assembly to enable them to levy rates, 1 but if they been doing the wo.ks as a municipality they could havd done so under the 'existing legislation. Mr ’lffi&Btffr’ said that then member,' Mr was at preserit away, therefore tiny had determined tri'ask his Honor to assist them I in the General Assembly. The guarantee was

only requhed as a name, to give confidence to those hesitating as to whether they should take up shares, for it was anticipated that the waterworks would prove very remunerative. In the main street alone of Tokomairiro there war property valued at LIOO.OOO at risk of destruction by fire, and the insurance rate paid on this would amount to at least L 2,000 per annum. The works must be done by some means, as the town was increasing so rapidly. Was there a possibility of the Provincial Government canying it out themselves?

Hjs Honor said it could not do r o without Special legislation ; but he might say at once that it would not do so at all—it was not in the Provincial Government’s line.

; Mr Ma*i-.yatt tl en brought up tht matter of a water-right Weld by the Table Ivill Company, which had not been used for years, though the Bruce Company had rented it, two or" three years ago. Could this be diverted to the,use of the town by any legislative action ?' Mining people imagined it could not, as it was es-, tablished for mining purposes ; but others thought the holders might be compelled to give it up on a valuation. It was a magnificent water supply, always carrying eight or ton heads of pure, unpolluted water, and was at an elevation of I,oooft above Tokomairiro. ForLsooor LGOO, according to Mr Coouibes’s estimate (and that gentleman had cut many races in the district), a race could be brought from it to within two miles and a-half of. the town, at an elevation of 250 ft.

His Honor could not pass an opinion on questions affecting water rights. An Act of the Colonial Legislature could do anything, of course, and he would be happy to give the company any assistance in his power to further their interests in the General Assembly. If a BLU were introduced there, having their object in view, it would receive his support ; but as thirty days’ notice had to be given to the Assembly previous to a Bill being brought up, there was not much time to be lost—the Assembly being likely to meet about the middle of next month.