RAKAIA PLAINS WATER SUPPLY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2164, 1 February 1881, Page 3

RAKAIA PLAINS WATER SUPPLY.

The ceremony of opening thin very important work took place yesterday. Some of the members of the County Council, members of the Borough Council, Mr B. G. Wright, M H.K,, and several citizens, left Ashburton yesterday morning at 8.20 o’clock by a special train for Bakaia, from which place they took the ordinary train to Mothven. The day was delightful, with the exception that a strong wind was blowing, and the country all along the line looked beautiful, it being literally speaking a succession of cornfields on both sides. traps took the party to the head of the waterworks, a distance of about nine miles. The works consist of a concrete dam, constructed across the North Ashburton river, exactly at the foot of Pudding hill. The dam is very strongly built, and in it there are two sluice gates, one for supplying the water and another large one for clearing the pond of any shingle or dirt which may accumulate in it. The water is conveyed through a concrete channel 3ft. wide by about 2Jft. deep for a distance of about a mile, after which it runs in an ordinary channel dug through the plains, and is expected to supply water for stock and agriculturol purposes for a distance of thirtythree miles. This is regarded as the most important work that has yet been undertaken by the Ashburton County Council, and all present yesterday were unanimously of [the opinion that it would prove of great benefit to the district. The dam was reached shortly after one o’clock, many of the farmers and residents in the district being present, and after a few remarks Mr W. O. Walker, chairman of the County Council, formally opened the sluice gate, amidst the cheers of all present. An adjournment was then made to a tent in the immediate vicinity, where an excellent luncheon was partaken of, _Mr Patten, of the Methven Hotel, catering. After the good things were done justice to, Mr W. O. Walker, who occupied the chair, said that he would dispense with the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, as their time was limited, and at once proposed “ Success to the Bakaia Plains Water Supply.” Greater works had been done, but it was doubtless one of great importance to the district. It had cost, for the dam and weir, £I4OO ; concrete channelling, £1800; and earthwork, £650; but when the vast benefit it would yield to thirty-three miles of country was considered, it would not bo thought too much, Mr Purnell proposed “ The County Council,” coupled with the name of the Chairman, and Mr Passmore spoke in eulogistic terms of the energy and business capabilities displayed by that body. Mr Wright, M.H.E., in proposing the health of “ Mr Baiter, the county engineer,” said ho felt convinced that the present supply was merely a trial scheme, and that very soon earthen pipes would be put in to convey water over a more extensive ares. The toasts of the “ Ashburton Borough Council, ” coupled with the namo of the Mayor, Mr E. G. Wright, member for the district, the “Ladies,” and the “ Press,” were also duly honored. After which the proceedings torminated, and a start was made for Methven, which was reached in time to enable the excursionists to return by the 510 p.m. train.