District News

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 February 1914, Page 2

District News

EVENTS IN SHANNON. (Chronicled h-j our liesidenl liepreeentative). WATlili. Sl'Pi'Li. A meeting oi i| lose mterested in the water scheme was held in tlw Drums Hull, Shannon, on Tuesday evening. lucre was a good attendance. > Mr T. Lijul \\"»s* voted to the ciia ; r. The chairman said some fenmonths ago a meeting had been called by Air (Stansell, and a committee had been set up to consider a scheme for a high pressure ware.r supply for Shannon. The committee had engaged Mr Suggate, who had also been employed by the Foxton Council. i'lr Suggale had submitted a report, the substance of which had been already published. A conference had been held between Shannon ■ Mid !'\)xtou, and Foxton had agreed to bear two thirds of the cost, leaving Shannon to bear one third of the cost of the head works and main to Shannon, but that the cost of a catchment area should be borne equally. It was for the meeting to say whether they approved of what" Ihe committee had done. it was for them to say thai night whether they approved or condemned the prinosal.

Mr J. K. Stansell, sciir., read a memorandum from the Levin Borough Council as to the water rates. A property of ,£SOO in the borough was rated at £2 2s; outsiile the borough about £2 12s fid. The maximum rate charged to farms was £4 per annum.

Mr Venn thought that if Shannon wanted water they .would never get a better offer. He had often been struck by the urgent need of a water supply for Shannon. The creeks were frequently polluted. The present scheme would cost about Id m the £ if they went in with Foxton, and nearly twice as much if Shannon wont into it alone. They should strengthen the hands of those who wished to caiTy the poll in Foxton.

In answer to Mr Moynihan, the chairman said that the cost to Shannon of headworks and main would be £2000. ' ALr iS. \V. Carter thought they should, make their minds up whether they wanted the water or not. 'lie did not think they would ever get a better offer, and proposed "That this meeting oi Shannon ratepayers heartily accept the -Foxton proposal as submitted to the committee/'

Air J. li. Stansell seconded the motion.

Air Gunning spoke strongly in favour of the proposal. The liability of creek water becoming polluted (which Air Venn had referred to) showed the necessity for obtaining a supply of pure water, such as could be got under the present scheme.

Mr G.JN. Stephensoii had some doubts as to the County Council having the power to construct waterworks. He handed in an opinion on the subject by the County Clerk, which stated that the powers of the County Council were restricted.

The chairman had uo doubt all difficulties could be got over by a Government Order-in-Council.

After some remarks by Mi Venn, Mr Carter and Mr Stansell withdrew their resolution.

Mr Venn proposed "That this meeting of Shannon ratepayers is willing to accept the l<oxton Borough Council's proposal regarding the water supply and will use its best efforts to geu a poll carried for the necessary loan should Foxton decide to go on with the work."

Mr dunning seconded the molion, which was carried without a dissentient voice.

In answer to Mr Moynihan, the chairman explained tliat Mr Sug-μ-ate had estimated a water suppi \ scheme for Shannon alone at i'fiOOO, while for Foxton and Shannon together, with larger pipes and higher level, it would cost £8000. It would be most, unfair to expect Shannon to pay more than one-third.

Mi , Venn said 25 per cent, would he a fair proportion for Shannon.

After some discussion on other malters the meeting terminated, will) a vote of thauks to the chairman.