Public Meeting re Artesian Water.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 226, 30 January 1894, Page 2

Public Meeting re Artesian Water.

A representative meeting of ratepayers was held in the Feilding Assembly Rooms last evening to consider the question of boring for an artesian supply of water. The meeting was convened by the Mayor, Mr W. Carthew, who was voted to the chair on the motion of Mr F. Y. Lethbridge. The Mayor, in his opening remarks, said the meeting had been called to take into consideration the advisability or otherwise of procuring an artesian supply of water. It was certain that we should have some supply other than well or rain water, the former not being fit for use while the latter was uncertain. Again, if a fire broke out in Feilding the Fire Brigade would be useless as they had no supply of water. We must all agree that a supply is necessary, but differ as to which is the better way to get one. Some argued that water could be obtained from the Kiwitea or the Oroua river, but that would mean borrowing to the extent of £8000 or £10,000. This would mean an extra rate of 9d or Is in the £, and they would have to go to the open market to borrow where 6 per cent would be the lowest rate at which they could get the money. The present state of the finances of the Borough did not warrant the expenditure of the rates on a work of this kind, and it was the duty of those in office to keep the rates down as much as possible. If the means were available the speaker would not mind getting a supply from the Kiwitea stream. It has not been proved that a supply of artesian water could be obtained, but experts thought Feilding a suitable place for a test. He did not think a supply of water that would rise to the height of the top of the houses would be obtained, but if they obtained a supply like at Hastings and other places, they would be content. There were at present two men in the district who undertook boring. One was representing Mr Osborne of Christchurch, and the other was Mr Gilbert, of Wanganui. Their machinery was better than that used on a previous occasion in the square. Mr Smith (representative of Mr Osborne) had been interviewed by the speaker and invited to give terms for sinking a well. The terms were : — Mr Smith would sink 200 feet for £35, the cost to include 2-inch pipes, which was at the rate of 2s 6d per foot. Should water be obtained before going 200 feet a rebate of 3s per foot would be allowed. From 2001 to 250 feet he would charge 9s per foot and 13s from 250 to 300 feet. The cost of a 300 feet well would thus be .£B7. Beyond 300 feet an additional charge of 4s per foot for every 50 feet would be made. The contract in the first instance to be for 300 feet and progress payments at the rate of 40 per cent for the first 100 feet and 75 percent from 200 to 300, that meant if he only went 90 feet he would get nothing, but when he reached 100 feet he would receive 50 per cent on that depth. Mr Smith recommends putting down 2A inch pipes for testing as the metal is better and was so sanguine of success in this district that he had ordered a new machine which would probably arrive in Feilding this week or next. The cost of sinking 2i-inch pipes 200 feet would be £'55, 12s per foot from 200 to 250 feet, and 36s per foot from 250 to 200 feet, the cast of 300 feet being £125. The machinery would have to be taken from the last place at the cost of those who employ him. Mr Carthew had had a conversation with Mr Bull about the cost of sinking, who expressed the opinion it was excessive over 200 feet, and the latter subsequently saw Mr Smith and mentioned it to him, and the speaker believed Mr Smith would make a reduction. Mr Smith put down two 2-inch pipes 216 feet and one 6-inch pipe 460 feet in Wanganui, and had got to the depth of 250 feet on Mr Wilcox's property, where he was now working, and he had been through clay and sand and expected to get water as soon as gravel was reached. Mr Gilbert's terms for boring are 8s per foot (for 3inch pipes) for the first 100 feet, and 10s for next 100 feet, or £-90 for 200 feet, and 12s per foot from that up to 300 feet — or £145 for 300 feet. If Mr Gilbert failed to get water at 300 feet he would bear half the cost, or would hire his plant for £2 a-day if it was a failure, or £8 if successful in obtaining water. Those who employ Mr Gilbert would have to supply wood and water. Mr Carthew was certaiu there could be no question but it would be a boon to the district if a supply could be obtained, and if it could be got at 200 feet he believed the district would soon be studded with wells.. He did not think the Borough should take the rates for testing in the Square, as it would only benefit a few, and he thought those round the Square should contribute to the cost. The Fire Insurance Companies should also contribute, as they would largely benefit, as the risk of property being destroyed by fire would be reduced. Mr Carthew hoped that those present would take up the discussion, and that some good would follow. Mr Kirton was quite sure it would not only benefit those around the Square, but would also be to the advantage of the whole district, and to test the feeling of those present he would propose : That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that immediate stepn be taken to bore for an artesian supply of water. Mr F. Y. Lethbridge, in seconding the motion, was of opinion, as it was an experiment that all those in the Borough would benefit by, the Council should contribute. It was most desirable to make an experiment, as the present well water was not fit for use and rain water was unreliable - sometimes we got too much and other times not enough. He would be quite willing to contribute towards a test. Mr Bastings agreed with the Mayor in some respects, but he thought that as a matter of principle the Council should do the work. If it was paid for out of the rates, they would get at the pockets of those who benefitted. Feilding was the centre of a splendid district, and if it was to be a town they must have a water and drainage scheme as well. Our insurance is a rent and this would be lessened if we had water. He did not wish to go to the extremes, like Palmers ton, but this district was like a large loaf without any butter, and would have to go in for a loan for water and drainage. If the Council could not afford the cost of experimenting for water, he would agree to contributing. If the land in the centre of tho town increased in value then the suburban land would also advance. The motion was then put and carried. Mr Kirton asked if Mr Carthew could inform them how much money had been subscribed on the previous occasion, and the Chairman replied it was something like £'40. Mr E. Goodbehere asked what was the cost of the supply in Wanganui and to what use had it been put. The Chairman replied they had Mr Smith's figures to go by, and they had no need to go to Wanganui. He believed the water there was not put to any practical use at present. Mr Goodbehere said they had gone 500 feet at Mr Linton's place at Halcoiube, and 250 feet at Mr Wilcox's on the other j

side of tne Oroua, and asked if any idea was given of how deep they would need to go in Feilding. The Chairman replied both parties who had been interviewed believed water could be obtained at 200 feet. Mr Linton started 150 feet above the Rangitikei and Mr Wilcox was also on high land. Water had been struck at 160 feet at the latter place, which was on about the same level as the Bangitikei line- . Mr Lethbridge suggested opening a subscription list and forming a committee to carry out the proposal. He thought it might be advisable to wait and seethe result of the boring at Mr Wilcox's. He would propose, " That The Mayor, Messrs Fowles, Bray (senr)., Bastings, and J. H. Stevens — with power to add to their number —be an Executive Committee to collect money and carry out the scheme. Mr Kirton seconded the motion which was put and carried. Mr C. Bray (senr)., noticed that Mr Bastings had remarked subscription lists had a tendency to " ride a willing horse to death," and he agreed with him in that. The whole district would be benefitted and he thought the Council should subscribe a large sum, as only a few would pay if the work was done by subscription. He proposed, That if a subscription can be raised, the Council be asked to subscribe £ for £ up to the cost of sinking to 900 feet. He would not like to see them stop at this depth, though he mentioned it as a limit. Mr Lethbridge seconded the motion which was carried. On the motion of Mr Lethbridge, seconded by Mr Goodbehere, a vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting. A subscription list was opened and £20 subscribed in the room.