District News.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 March 1913, Page 2

District News.

li VENTS IN SHANNON. (Chronicled by Our Resident Representative). Tlie-Shannon Amateur Dramatic Club are already preparing tar their next production. The piece selected is "The Village Vagabond," the first rehearsal of which will lake placc on .Monday night. The amount cleared by the performance of the "Private Secretary" and to be handed to the trustees of the recreation reserve is a lion t £1-1. Mrs 7)upres leaves for fnglewood on Tuesday. Mr and .Mrs Jenkins. Mrs .Murray, and Miss Knowles returned from Plinunerton on Friday. WATER SUPPLY. A public meeting convened by the Jouuty Council was held in the Druids' Hail on i'riday evening for the purpose of considering; what .steps should be taken in reference to the petition presented by certain ratepayers as to securing a water supply and other improvements lor Shannon. Mr G. N. Stephenson, chairman ot the County Council, presided, and explained that the meeting haul been railed in response to a petition Iroin certain ratepayers. The council might have replied they had no power to deal with the matter, hut they thought it best to call this meeting to venilate the subject. The council's borrowing powers were so limited that they could not deal with the subject. A town board or borough council could raise, special loans such as suggested, and they could consider the advisabloness ot forming « borough. Mr Suggate, the engineer, was there by invitation ol certain ratepayers, and would give his opinion. Mr Sfansell said Mr Venn had suggested that the County Council could borrow a loan lor the purpose. Mr 'Venn doubted if the chairman was correct as to the conned not having [lower to borrow lor a purpose. The chairman said the secretary of the council had advised that the council could not burrow lor water supply purposes. Mr Venn thought they could borrow to any extent outside the Gov'ernment if the ratepayers consented. The chairman said he had not had legal advice, but he was convinced the County Council could not borrow under the Y\later Supply Act, but boroughs .and town boards had power lie considered the. small attendance showed people were indifferent. Mr Judd thought they should ban an idea of the cost before goinj. lurther. It was time we had a water supply if our means would allow it. .Mr O'Connor thought more wouk have been there if they had knowi of the meeting. The chairman asked Mr Suggate i he would give an idea of the cost o a scheme. Mr Suggate said he had. seen several place* that would be suitabh for a high pressure water supph system, with a fall of 2'M feet ti the township. The amount of water in Lite stream w«s in excess o what Shannon would rei|uire l'o many years. With live miles o pipe drain and five miles of reticulation in the township the cost wouk not exceed CIO,OOO. A\ith a valuation of CIJO.OOO. that would mean ; rate of ljd in the £, but as a chargi would be nuide for the water, tin rate, in time, would die out, wliih insurances would be reduced. in answer to questions. Mr Sug gate said a dam at 250 feet wouk give a pressure of about 1001b to tin inch, which would mean a sustaiiief pressure for lire prevention of abou 70lb to the inch. The main wouk cost about U 1*3(31). a water tower fo artesian supply would cost abou 1-3001). and there would be the cos of pumping plant, which would mak< the cost as much as the trunk mail in the gravitation scheme, while th< pressure in the artesian system wouk only be 801b to the inch. The gra vitation scheme was preferable, dam on the Mangaone stream wouk provide sullicient reservoir. Mr kind proposed a hearty vote o thanks to Mr .Suggate. Mr Gunning seconded the motion He suggested that those presen should guarantee C2o for a. furl,lie report by Mr Suggate. The motion was carried by accla matiou. Mr Suggate acknowledged the vote Mr Gunning moved "'That Mr Sug gate be asked to furnish a rcpor and that a list be taken of giiiaran tors." Mr J. R. St-ansell seconded the mo tiou, which was carried. Mr E. J. Judd took a list of guar a n tors. The chairman said the Count l Council would get a legal opinio! as to borrowing powers if necossary Messrs Lind, Gunning. G. N. Ste phenson, Venn .and O'Connor wen appointed a council to see- to tin matter. Mr Lind, Mr Gunning and M McPherson were empowered to dea with tho band instruments. After some further talk the meet ing adjourned.