Ancient Water Tower

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20080, 28 October 1939, Page 3

Ancient Water Tower

In the early days of the Dominion the ancient water tvheei was used on farms and at mills where water power was available, and it was very satisfactory. As time went on. and modern methods were introduced, farmers and millers switched over to other forms of power, mostly electricity, hi very few cases has the old wheel survived until recent times. On a farm, however. near Kaponga. South Taranaki, an old wheel has been used for 30 years, and still provides the only power for the milking shed. • It is built of solid heart of totnrn. and, though covered with slimy moss, is still as sound as the day on which il was taken out of the forest. It is 10ft wide and has about 35 louvres to catch the water and provide the power. The owner affirms that it is more effective and cheaper than electricity and needs so little water that a very severe drought must prevail to cut out powei'. A large dairy factory, at Norman by, also has a similar wheel, which 'the directors have strengthened by an artesian well.