AWAITI WATER SUPPLY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5261, 11 April 1928, Page 2

AWAITI WATER SUPPLY.

UNSUITABLE FOB DAIRYING.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE ASKED.

A deputation comprising Messrs M. A. Carter, J. B. Whisker, and l J- Wakeham, settlers of Awa'ti, waited upon the Minister of Public Works (Hon. K. S. Williams) at Paeroa on. Thursday last with reference to water supply matters in the, Awaiti aica. In introducing the settlers Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., remarked that the Government had taken the water off the settlers’ land, and now they wanted it back again, but under different condit'ons. The difficulty was a supply of water suitable for dairy stock. Seyera'l samples of water had been forwarded to the Government analyist, who, after careful analysis, had written advising that the .water was Quite unfit for consumption by stock, and as a consequence the settlors were at their wits end to know what to do.

It was explained by Mr J. B. Whisker, who produced two large bottles of the water for the Min step’s inspection, that he had gone to heavy expanse in putting down eight wells on various parts of his property, come to a depth of over 200 ft, but he had been unable to obtain a supply of water that was not heavily charged with chemicafe and quite unfit for use. He had also lost a number of cattle, which had died after drinkmg the water. The; position could not obtain, and he urged the Government to assist the settlers. SUPPLY SCHEME SUGGESTED. Mr J. Wakeham explained that steps had been taken to pump water from the; Wa’ihou River which, upon analysis, had proved to be suitable foil all purposes. The area to be served hy the scheme was approximately 4000 acres, and the cost was estimated at £5,700. A petition to tha Hauraki Plains County Council to have the Awaiti area constituted a water race district, had been circulated and signed by nearly every faumcr in the area. Ln all 49 signatures had been obtained, showing nearly all small holdings. Thei rate for'the loan Would be about 2s 6d an acre, but with the help of a Government subsidy it was hoped to reduce that sum considerably. Half the area in question was Crown land. The speaker Referred to the alrealy high rates that obtained in the area, and pointed out that county and 1 drainage rates amounted to as much as 15s an acre, plus Government Tent, another 15s an acre, making 30s an acre which, capitalised at 5 per cent., amounted to a charge on unimproved land of £3O an acre. Interest charges, for improvements on top of that, made the settlers' position a very difficult one, especially when it was eojisidered,. that improvements in many cases had cost over £3O an acre. The speaker said that thei settlers werq in .a Serious position with reference to obtaining suitable water for their farms, although they had gone to heavy expense in sinking bores and wells and purchasing windmills and pumping plants. They were now faced with the problem of how to provide their stock with water fit for drinking. The Government analysis, showing the water to be unfit for drinking, w'as also to be borne out by thei opinions of veterinary surgeonfe. One farmer owned a valuable pedigree bull, which became sick and died. A veterinary surgeon stated that its death had been caused through drinking the chemical water. The settlers had decided to go in for a scheme to reticulate an area which could be served economically, and they were hop’hg that with the increased production to be obtained by a supply of good water they would be able to carry the heavy burden, providing they received some assistance from the Government by way of a subsidy towards the cost of the (scheme.

Til support. Mr M. A. Carter explained how he had always kept his water troughs for stock scrupulously dean, but even then the water had proved unsuitable and l he had 1 lost stock as a consequence. The Minister said that it was impqrative to have ample supplies of good drinking water for stock, particularly in a dairying district. There was no doubt that the settlers had struck a serious proposition, and he would have the position thoroughly investigated at once and the settlers would be adviteeff of the result as soon as possible.