THE SUPPLY OF WATER TO THE TOWN.

Kumara Times, Issue 1731, 18 April 1882, Page 2

THE SUPPLY OF WATER TO THE TOWN.

PUBLIC MEETING AT THE TOWN HALL. Pursuant announcement by his Worship the Mayor (J. OUagan, Esq.) the postponed meeting of bmgesses of Kumara was held in the Town Hall last evening, to consider the proposal for raising a loan for supplying the town of Kumara with water. The weather was very unpropitious, b'it sometime-after eight o'clock about forty to fifty persons assembled. His "Worship the Mayor briefly stated the object for which the meeting had been called. It was for the pm° pose of protecting ourselves against, fire, and also- against the high charges- of insurance companies. The Council of the Borough had thoroughly considered the question, and a site had been selected for a dam. Thev all knew very well that for some time past the insurance companies- wsuld net take- rwk»> and in-

some places they were altogether withdrawing their risks. He thought if the i burgesses cou'd reducs their premiums f r insurance that Wovild go a good way towards paying a rate for water. Accidents will occur in the best-regulated families and also i'ri the best-regulated households. This is the matter we have met for here He hoped the ratepayers would now express their opinions. Mr R. Toms : Are there any plans prepared, Mr Chairman 1 The Mayor : Plans and estimates have been made out several months ago by the Borough Surveyor, the cost of which were estimated afc £IBOO. Mr Toms : Is it contemplated to lay pipes in any street besides Seddon street and the Main road ] The Mayor : It is proposed to lay pipes from the State School down Fifth street to Seddon street, thence along Seddon street to Drnmmond's corner ; and afterwards to extend the pipes up the Main road as far as the Post-office. In answer to further interrogations, The Mayor stated that the annual rates amount to £300; but the borough revenue is about £IBOO to £2OOO. He calculated that this year's general revenue would be £IBOO. He thought they could spare £3OO a year out of the revenue. Mr C. F. Holmes thought it would be more advisable for the Borough Council to purchase a fire-engine. The Mayor stated that the fire-engine in Hokitika cost to his knowledge £SOO. The constiuction of tanks was not advisable, and there was danger in that respect from disease arising from stag- ; naut water. Mr Toms thought more pressure would be obtained by carrying the pipes from the State School along Tni street to the Main road, connecting Third and Fifth streets with Seddon street. | The Mayor stated there were only about five houses in Tui street that \ would be parsed. The Council had fully considered the matter. He would like to hear the opinion of anyone present; it was a matter that affected the whole of the ratepayers. Mr W. Barnett did not think any special rate would be required. E«tii mating the annual expenses of the : borough at £llOO, that would leave us £350 per annum ; and five and a-half years would pay it off, without any special rate. He would like to see the scheme completed, so as to include from Druramond's corner to the Postoffice, which was as thickly populated as any other part of the town ; and this should be included in the plans and specifications before being pat to a poll of the borough. The Mayor could assure the burgesses, and other councillors present would bear him out, that it was the intention of the Council eventually to carry pipes up Main street to the Postoffice. Mr Bcrger agreed with Mr Barnett ; he believod they could do without a special rate. He would be in favor of having pipes carried along a a portion of Main street as suggested. The Mayor said he would not be sure that this was not included in the plans and specifications already prepared. Mr Burger thought it was a disgrace to the borough that water was not laid on in the town yeats- a»o. The Mayor said he would °like to hear the opinion of Cr. Campbell* Mr Wiesner wished to know if there were any estimate made out. The Mayor thought they might raise this loan out of the ordinary revenue of the borough.—[Applause".] Mr Barxett did not see how they were going to lay out the ordinary revenue this year. He was quite s-afe in saying it could be done out of the ordinary revenue of the borough. Mr G. Simmons, sen.: Could not the Borough Council shut up for a couple of years 1 The Mayor : Then the waterworks could not proceed either. Mr Spindeleb did not believe there would be any objection by the ratepayers if the scheme could be accomplish) d without a special rate. Mr A. C. Casxpbel& said that as far as the Borough Council were concerned, they bad their word. It now remained for the ratepayers to express their opinion as regards the water scheme. He thowghfc the scheme was too elaborate for the borough at the present time,- he would refer the question back to the Borough Council, and he now moved " That the question be referred back to the Borough Council for modification.^ The Mayor said that upon a second consideration he was of opinion that the scheme did include that portion of M(»in street between Dvummond's corner and the Post-office. Mr Burger, moved an amendment "That immediate steps be taken to Gai-sy out the sehei&fr proposed-" t

The Mayor stated that it was not necessary for him to put either the motion or the amendment. The law made no prdvision for giving effect to any motion either for or against. He had simply called the meeting for the due consideration and discussion of. the proposal, as provided by the "Municipal Corporations Act," and.a motion whether for Or against could have no effect by being put. Mr Campbell took it that if they were met to consider and discuss the question a motion was the only way by which the sense or opinion of: the ratepayers cduld be expressed, Mr W. JSTicaofcsdN also thought that a vote should be taken. It was strange that the burgessess should be called together to discuss the question and then to vote without having some definite plans laid before them, it woiild be like voting in the dark. The Mayor stated that he would, before the day of poll, lay the plans on ihe table of the Hall f r the inspection of the burgesses, and would give them notice of the day for inspection. He did not see his way clear to refer this question back to the Borough Council. Mr J. Horne wished to know if they could manage £ISOO in five years? Mr Campbell then moved—" That the question be referred back to the Borough Council for modification." ; Mr Burger moved—" That in the [ opinion of this meeting it is most desirable that immediate steps be taken that the water scheme for Kumara be carried out." Mr Barnett seconded the amendment. The Mayor then put the amendment and the motion, and declared the ameudment carried. There were only a few hands held lip for either amendment or motion. The Mayor then gave notice that a poll would be taken on the question of which he would give due notice; The meeting then closed.