WATER SUPPLY.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 130, 12 June 1901, Page 2

WATER SUPPLY.

DISCUSSION ON THE REPORT,

At the meeting of the Borough Council last night, Mr Mestayer’s report on tho water supply was presented. Tho Mayor said Mr Mestayer was very positive in recommending Waihirere. He gave three estimates, even the lowest of which was much larger than that given before, but he gave a reservoir holding 43,000,000 gallons, while that given by Mr Bovlan' would only hold 5,000,000 ; also the former would give a supply including the suburbs, and there was a more extensive reticulation scheme. The first move should bo to take steps to obtain tho catchment area. He thought tho matter of a water supply should be left to a committee to report on. He himself thought that Waihirere must have tho preference, and it would enable them to make use of supplementary sources. Cr Miller: Will you move that the property be taken? Cr Kennedy: If you do, I will second

The Mayor then proposed that steps be taken to secure the catchment area. *Cr Bright moved that a special meeting be called to consider the matter. Tho/ were entitled at any time to take tho property, and should not hurry the matter until they decided what they wore going to do. Cr Kennedy seconded the motion. Any steps they could take would bo nou-com-mittal. Indeed, ho had thought that such steps were being taken. He had sufficient confidence in Mr Mestayer, who had been so successful with other works, that if they could manage tho matter financially," he would favor adopting Mr Mestayer’s recommendation. Ho deprecated any of that amateur engineering. Ho had feared that Waihirere would not suit for a water supply,, but he had confidence ■ now that it could be utilised. Cr Jones said they had had tho experience that a property worth T3O had sud,sdfiniy grown to a value of 12150. Ho thought they should take steps to acquire the block as speedily as possible. As for engineering, lie thought that after having appointed a man of Mr Mestayer’s reputation, they should abide by his decision. Cr Lysnar said that he was somewhat surprised to hoar old Councillors speak in the manner they had done ; they appeared to put tho cart before tho horse in this matter. . Before any stops were taken with regard to securing the property, tho scheme should in his opinion bo considered. There, were matters within bis knowledge which would prevent the Council from adopting tho Waihirere scheme, matters which would cut the' ground under the whole scheme. He was sure that the Council were desirous of obtaining the scheme that would produce the best possible results at the least cost, and before the motion that thoy should acquire tho property was put, he wished to be heard with reasons against the scheme. Ho did not want to see the property forced on the Council, Tho Mayor said that in order to clear i tho way he would withdraw his proposi- ■ tion.

Crs Miller and Jones objected. “We must have no backing down in this matter,” said Cr Miller. Cr Lysnar said what lie alluded to was a flaw in the property. He did not question Mr Mestayer’s opinion as an engineer, but lie did question his opinion as a geologist, for Mr Mestayer did not understand the nature of our country. He proposed to erect a dam with nothing to Hold it whatever. As an engineer they undoubtedly bad the right man in the right place, but as a geologist thoy had not, for lie did not understand the country. Mr Mestayer proposed to construct a dam from one side of the gully to the other, and hold tho water behind that dam without any foundation whatever except what naturo had provided. The Mayor : You approved of him as an engineer and this is absolutely an engineering question. Cr Lysnar said it was a characteristic of tlio district that a dam would not hold water. If it were a reservoir Cr Jones : Wliat is it but a reservoir ?

Cr Lysnar : It is a dam, in a gully. Cr Miller : If a man risks his reputation and professional Cr Lysnar : Excuse me—l will get on quicker if you leave me alone. Continuing, he said that Mr Mestayer made the mistake of supposing that the foundation was the same as tho soil in other parts of the colony ; but tho water would percolat e through the rubbly strata. The Mayor said that Mr Mestayer had no doubt made provision for a puddled reservoir. Cr Lysnar : It is not in his scheme. - The Mayor: But there is 1220,000 allowed there. Continuing, Cr Lysnar said ho considered his objections were absolutely fatal to tho scheme. Even if the ground could be puddled, it would be a danger to Gisborne to have such a large amount of water stored at Waihirere. He pointed out that a large proportion of the rainfall would be absorbed. If they ceuld spend so much on these schemes, they could spend sufficient on pumping from Waimata. Cr Lysnar said he was very sorry they should try and force on that night the motion to acquire Waihirere. Cr Morrison favored the motion. They had obtained the best engineering advico procurable, and be did not think the Councillors should now set themselves up as experts in opposition to that engineer. Cr Lysnar : What reason is there for acquiring the land now ? Cr Jones: So that others will not jump in.

Cr Wbinray said that there were a lot of little matters that tho Council might well discuss with advantage. The land would still be there, and would not run away. The report seemed an excellent one, but there seemed to be something in the suggestion that the land was of too friable a nature for a big dam. The work would not be done in six months, probably

not in six years. Cr Miller said they had obtained the best expert opinion procurable in Australasia, and that engineer was.most unmistakably in favor of the Waihirere scheme. He quoted Mr 'Mestayer’s words: 11 The advantages are so distinctly in favor of the Waihirere scheme, that I have no .hesitation in recommending that it be adopted as the source of the water supply to Gisborne; and that your Council should take immediate steps to acquire the whole of tho drainage area, amounting to 796 acres, shown on the watershed plan prepared by Captain Winter.” Support his opinion," said Cr Miller ; it was Mr Lysnar’s opinion against that of the expert, and ho (Cr Miller) would support Mr Mestayer every time. As to tho acquiring of tho' property, it was only proposed to take the preliminary steps. Cr Jones; We can withdraw from it

any time up to the sitting of tho Court. Cr Lysnav said there had already been complaint of the expense entailed. Tho Mayor said 'that was one of tho reasons why he urged that the property should be obtained. They had shillyshallied too long in the matter. Even if it were never used for a source for a water supply they should take steps to obtain it. He had for a long .time been trying to obtain this property for the Council. No doubt there would be other reasons crop up ; but they could not have anything stronger than Mr Mestayer’s advice. Cr Jones pointed out that Mr Boylan had made use of the word “ dam,” and Cr Miller pointed out that Mr Mestayer in one place had used tho word “ reservoir." Tlje Mayor said that in face of the gua-rr.ntee they had received from townspeople they were bound to place Mr Mestayer’s opinion before the ratepayers. Cr Bright said that as mover of the amendment he had the last word. He did not wish members to suppose that he was in opposition to the scheme suggested by Mr Mestayer. The stand he took was simply that he desired to be informed as to what was meant by taking steps to acquire the property. He wanted to have the scheme considered before the Council secured the property. Seeing that Mr Mestayer in a way risked his reputation in the recommendations he had made,_ ho (Cr Bright) was prepared to follow him. He did not, however, understand the meaning of the resolution that they should acquire the property. - ■ Cr Miller; You know what it means all right.

The Mayor: Order; one at a time, please. Cr Bright : Cr Miller has no right to interrupt in the manner ho is doing. When he has had his say I will go on. Cr Miller : Ido not think it is right that we should allow Or Bright to put it in this way. Or Bright: I oK jS to Cr Miller’s continued interrupti ■ . I want you to call him to order, Y- :r Worship. After a slight passago at arms between theso members, Cr Bright continued: “ What I do object to is the Council taking steps to acquire the property before you have adopted the scheme. The delay I ask for is nothing compared to what has takon place previously. Tlio property is no use as a park or for agricultural purposes ; in fact, it is of no uso for any purpose but for that of a watershed. The Mayor: Is there any doubt in your mind with regard to adopting the scheme ?

Cr Bright: lam prepared to follow Mr Mestayer, but I want to seo the matter discussed, and the schomo adopted before the property is secured. Cr Hepburn: As far as lam concerned I am in favor of the schomo, but I want

to seo what the ratepayers say on the question before we secure tho property. I am at ono with tho report. Cr Lysnar : What is the hurry to take this land ? Why force it on the Council in this way ? There is absolutely no rush for the land. Tho Mayor: I shall put tho amendment. It is proposed by Cr Bright, and seconded by Cr Whinray, that a spocial meeting bo called to consider the questions of water and drainage. Chorus of voices: No one objects to that. Cr Miller: That is ono reason why I object to Or Bright’s remarks. We are all agreeable to his amendment-, but wo want to see the property secured. Cr Bright: That is all right then. Cr Miller : Have you accepted that as

an amendment. Cr Bright: You can put it that tho meeting be called prior to steps bomg takon to secure tho land.

Cr Kennedy: Perhaps your Worship will also alter your resolution. ■ After further discussion the amendment was put, Crs Bright, Lysnar, Whinray and Hepburn voting for' it, and Crs Kennedy, Miller, Jones, and Morrison against. Tho Mayor gavo his easting voto in favor of tho amendment. Cr Jones : This is about tho most peculiar position I have seen. Cr Lysnar: Your Worship lias voted very wisely. Cr Miller : There aro Councillors here this evening speaking through the press to the public, and I would also lilco to spoalt to tho public. 1 would like to state that I had no intention of supporting the motion of paying any money away. I did not intend to put tho money down, only that steps bo taken. Cr Jones : We have lost before in a similar manner, through allowing others to got in first. The discussion then terminated.