DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4586, 13 July 1923, Page 1

DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL

WAITAKARURU WATER SUPPLY. REPORT TO BE OBTAINED. Messrs R. T. Williams, W. Stretton, D. McAulay, and E. Keans, of Waitakaruru and Pipiroa, waited upon the Plains County Council on Tuesday and asked that the engineer be authorised t,o go into the question of a water supply for Waitakaruru and Pipiroa from Waitakaruru Stream. They believed that this would prove an adequate and cheap supply of good water. An alternative scheme was to pump water from the junction of the Waitakaruru and Mangatarata ■streams to some high land.

The deputation pointed out that water was an absolute necessity, as stock was suffering, and would continue to suffer, owing to the use of soda and peat water. The big scheme for the whole of the Plains would probably not eventuate for some years. They were very keen to gee this scheme,, but could not wait, for it, as they would be the last served. Cr. Madgwick said that all the small schemes lessened the chances of the bigger one.

Cr. Parfitt said- that Mr Slinger had to find pure water for domestic purposes for a bigger area. Now it had been agreed that a smaller scheme for a .smaller area for stock purposes only would be required. Cr. Harris said that the streams had been gauged in mid-summer and an ample supply of water was available. A million and a half gallons a day were available at a point four miles above Waitakaruru. By coming lower down the stream a greater supply would be available. This, however, would require to be pumped, but with the advent of electric power it might, be the besit. Councillors spoke iu favour of the proposal.

Cr. McLoughlin proposed, and Cr. Hare seconded, that the engineer prepare a report.

The engineer said that he was not an hydraulic engineer, and it would be a longer and harder job for him to do than for an engineer who was constantly doing that class of work. Other county work would probably be delayed.

Cr. McLoughlin said that an outside engineer should be appointed. In reply tp Cr. Parfitt the clerk said that the Council had power to do this. . .

Cr. Harris pointed out that the pipes could be linked up with the big scheme when the water became available. He urged that the Council let the engineer do the work if he could spare the time. This would save the settlers a great deal of expense.

Cr. Hayward moved as an amend-, ment that the Waitakaruru and Pipiroa ridings employ an hydraulic engineer to do the work. Cr. Madgwick seconded, contending that the engineer had not the time to spare.

Cr. Parfitt .said that he did not think the engineer should do the work. He suggested that the Council employ Mr E. F. Adams, of Thames to report in detail. Details were what was required. Cr. Mayn supported getting an hydraulic engineer in the first place, as the county engineer’s report, if favourable, would have to be cheeked by such an engineer before the scheme could be put into operation. An engineer should be employed to report on the range as a. water supply for the Patetonga and Kaihere districts as well. Cr. Harris said that all the deputation required was an opinion as to whether a gravitation scheme or a pumping scheme would be the besit.

Members said that if this was so it was only wasting the engineer’s time, as the work would have to be done again before the work could be commenced.

Cr. Mayn suggested getting an engineer tp survey the whole range to supply .Patetonga, Kaihere, and Waitakaruru.

Cr. Harris urged thalt, the county engineer should prepare rough estimates of the amount of water available by either method. Cr. Hayward agreed to add the names of Patetonga and Ngatea ridings to his amendment.

The mover and seconder of the motion agreed to drop their proposition. It was pointed out that, separate areas would have separate reports from various sources of supply. The motion was put and carried unanimously.