PLAINS WATER SUPPLY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5106, 28 March 1927, Page 3

PLAINS WATER SUPPLY.

to EXTEND SCHEME. COST FRIGHTENS SETTLERS. The proposal to extend the Hauraki Plains West water supply scheme across the Piako River to the Kopuarahi and Horahia ridings was the subject of a meeting at the Kopuarahi school on Thursday evening last. Tne chairman, Mr E.L. Walton, the council’s water supply engineer, Mr E. F. Adams, the clerk, Mr E. A. Mahoney, Cr. J. C. Miller, representative of the Kopuarahi riding, and Cr. H. H. Hicks, representative of the Horahia riding, were present. The Kopuarahi district was well repre““sented, but there were comparatively few 'from the Horahia end of the district. Mr J. C. Miller, who presided, briefly outlined the project, explaining .that -on testing the Waitakaruru stream ft was found that there was ample water ■ available to extend the reticulation with safety. Mr Walton detailed the steps that had been taken to secure a water supply for the area on the western side of the river. Gauging over an extended period had proved that the minimum flow was 900,000 gallons a day. The West scheme provided for a flow o'f 340,000 gallons. On alternative tenders being called it was found that such a saving could be effected by using concrete pipes instead of iron ones that it was possible to> util*—4se mains of such a diameter that extensions over the river could be provided, if required, without increasing the cost. The tenders had not yet been accepted, as the committee had considered the question of extending the service and had decided to seek the opinion of the Kopuarahi and Horahia settlers as to whether they desired the water supply before decidingjm .the size of pipes to be used. The larger mains would deal with 488,000 gallons a day. The area on the eastern side of the river which it was suggested should be reticulated comprised 10,500 acres. The cost was estimated by Mr Adams at £25,500, and this loan would require a rate of 2%d to be pledged. At the present time it was proposed to pay for the scheme by means of a rate together -*"with a charge ‘for water. One-quarter would be collected by means of the rate and three-quarters by means of the water charges. This had been fixed tentatively at 8s per cow a year. Thus, a 100-acre farm carrying 60 cow-s would be charged £24 a year and rated at Id in the £, which w’ould produce £8 6s Bd. *” Mr Adams explained the engineering details of the suggested extension. The mains Would be laid'from the Kopuarahi wharf along the road to connect ‘ up -again at Ngatea. Branches would be run along the Kopuarahi. Piako, and Orchard East roads. Questions were then asked by the settlers and answered by Mr Walton or Mr Adams. did not appear to be any why a Government subsidy should not be secured, as had been done for the area west of the river. It was proposed to rate non-con-sumers, and the amount would probably be Id in the £. Consumers could use any sized Pipes they liked on their farms, but the connection to the main would be of one inch diameter. It was proposed to indent inch pipe of the best English quality, and at the outside the cost o'f those laid on the farms would not exceed Is a foot. Settlers could do their own internal reticulation, thus reducing labour costs. Ball-cocks would have to be installed at all troughs and tanks to prevent wastage. QUESTION OF NECESSITY. Mr Candy pointed out that there was not the acute necessity, for fresh water on the eastern side of the river that there was on the western side. Mr Adams said that unless close comparisons could be made it was difficult to tell the extent of the benefit. On that subject a remark of the Hon. O. J. Hawken, Minister of Agriculture, was to the point. He had stated that he was quite satisfied the Hauraki Plains would never advance very far as regarded its stock problems unless it had its cattle drinking water tinner control. If any deficiency in minerals was found to exist these deficiencies could be made up when the drinking places were under control. In reply to another question Mr Walton said that unless the scheme received general support it w*ould not proceeded with. It would have to receive almost unanimous support before it would be a paying proposition. Replying to questions o'f an engineering nature Mr Adams stated that the scheme allowed for a pressure of at least 401 b to the Square inch at every farm. It would be too costly to instal meters to measure the water consumed. Mr D. J. O’Carrcll said that the water supply scheme had not been discussed in the Kopuarahi district, as the existing supply of water gave no cause for complaint or anxiety. Settlers had tb consider what they cc-uld afford and what they could do without. i Mr Walton urged settlers to be candid and say definitely whether they wanted the supply or net. Mr J. C. Miller asked for an idea ~ of the additional cost tff the scheme if it was decided in some years to d-ine to extend it over the river. In reply Mr Walton explained that the small diameter pipes from Daigety’s corner would have to be replaced with larger ones. When the came it would be tor the West \-esroers to decide whether their scheme should be extended or not. Mr W. E. Hale expressed the opinion that the meeting was not representative enough to give a satisfactory opinion. He would therefore suggest that a postal referendum be taken. Personally he 'favoured the project, and was of the opinion that it would be a boon to the district. - This was supported by Mr J. C. Miller but was opposed by Mr Walton as futile, seeing that the feeling of the meeting was against the project. The referendum would certainly establish

the fact that the responsibility was on the settlers. A settler commented that if there was a crying need 'for the supply there would have been a greater attendance at the meeting. Another settler observed that there were many present who were opposed, Remarks from many quarters of the room on the present price of but-ter-fat and the number of bills received every month were heard, and gave an unmistakable indication of the tone of the meeting.

To test the ‘feeling of the meeting Mr Hale moved that the extension of .the scheme be favoured. This motion was only supported by four votes, whereas the vote against was over three times as many.

The county chairman thanked the settlers for their expression of opinion and commented on the orderliness of the meeting.

A vote thanks to Messrs Walton, Adams and Mahoney concluded the meeting.