MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 13 September 1911, Page 3

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

LOAN PROPOSALS,

The meeting of ratepayers held on Monday evening last in the Foresters' Hall supper-room was attended by over 40 citizens who evinced keen interest in the proposals "before them. Mr Jas, Stewart (Chairman of the Town Board) was voted to the chair. In explanation of the scheme, Mr Stewart stated that previous Boards had under their consideration water and drainage schemes, but had been hampered on account of power not being given to Town Boards to borrow money. "Under the prerent Act, Town Boards could borrow, and the present Bd&rd had taken the initial' siep of applying to the Advances to Local Bodies Office for the loan of £10,000. The Loan had been approved conditional that a poll of the ratepayers be '.taken- : The necessary formalities had been gone through by the Board and the polling date advertised for Thursday, 21st inst. To-night's meeting was called to enable anyone to obtain such information as v they considered necessary.. In February of this year, the Board arranged with Mr Hugh Munro "Wilson for a report on both the water supply and drainage scheme, Mr Wilson's estimate for the water supply was £4500, and the drainage £5000. The chairman read to the meeting Mr Wilson's report on both these achemes,

Water Scheme—lt is intended to take the water from the Maungakura Creek ' at an elevation of 230ffc above high ] water mark, this would give a pressure < of about 901ts. to the square inch at < the low levels, and adequate pressure < for fire purposes over the whole town* ship. It is intended to acquire the , whole of the catching area above the ] lower dam of 'the Maungakuia water- ; shed, and to .commence the scheme 1 with building of two dams, each 12ft. l higTi with provision for their being increased upon in Wight from time to j time as the growth of the township ] warranted, The water would be brought direct into the township * through 6 " pipes which, running to full capacity, would discharge at the 2 rate of about 250,000 gallons in 24 ] hours in times of urgency. The esti- ] mated length of main is •2% " miles, and it is estimated that another j 2 miles would be required for reticula- j tion. Isolated houses would have to \ be supplied from small pipes. i Drainage Scheme.— In connection J with the drainage scheme, Mr Wilson ~ provides for a main intersepting sewer \ 18in in diameter from outfall near Pi- i pitiwai to Awaxoa Cteek, thenca by 15in., 12in., and 9is. pipes to various l parts of the township as warranted, \ ..-. 4in. juuctiona would be provided for j private drains to connect to. The < scheme provides for a small reinforced j concrete storage tank near the outlet ' with a capacity equal to about 24 hours l discharge of sewage. The tide is pre^ . vented from entering the storage tank - • which is fitted with gun metal valves perfectly tight. The sewage to be : discharged during the ebb of the tide ; through a valve, a 15in outlet pipe : carries the sewage from tank to low - water mark, and discharges below low < "water, which, will make the outlet completely sanitary and inoffensive. The \ tank will have a flat reinforced con- . Crete roof, on the top of which a grass sward will be laid to bring the surface up to the level of the flat and making it practically obscure to the surrounding'country. Provision is made for a manhole-for the purpose of sluicing the, tank. It is proposed to use the fall of the tide as a factor for the automatic discharge of the sewage which , will overcome any expense of lifting. "r. All roof and house water will be discharged through the sewage drains, the iiow from streets and channels would be provided for as at. present. All property owners will pay for connecting. +o the bewer, tho cost of which is estimated to average from £6 to £7 per house. . ; Heading from a report from the Dis . trict Health Office under the signature of Dr. McGill dated the 16th June, Mr Stewait quoted extracts showing that the Health. Department were far from satisfied with a number of yards in Helensville. Drainage was provided iv man 7, cases by uucemented, uusocketed pipes, and it would soou be a matter of not between tha Board and ratepayers, but between the ratepayers and the Health Department. Eoi ■ ' the information of the ratepayers at this meeting, the present rateable capital value of this township is £79,385, on which a general rate of Id on capital value had been struck to return £330 5s 5d for general purposes. The drainage and water scheme called for ' a loan of £10,000 for which repayments were provided for. Interest, 3H P-c- - £350 0 Principal, 1% p.a ... 137 10 Plus a charge of 10p,c. 45 ;1£ In all £536- 5 To raise this it would be necessary - ,to levy a rate of lgd on the present I^L capital value, this would return £53G fS 10s. and leave a surplus of £50 over \ % * and above requirements. • As the surplus increases, arrangements could te made with the Audit Office to reduce the rate. The Act provides that the repayments of interest and principal required plus 10 per Gent., be raised by special rate. Evidently the extra 10 per cent is a safeguard in the interests of the State to test if the tow# district is on the border of wh*t they require. As years go on the total payments provide for less interest and more principal, the loan eventually being paid off ia 36£ years. "Water Kate. —Under section. S3 of the Municipal Corporation. Act, 1908, the Board has authority to levy a sep.? arate rate for water supply, Where the annual rental does not exceed £12 10s, a minimum rate of 10s is provided for. Over and above this amount the >vt provides tfi&Hltf rate #UaU wt>

exceed 7 per cent, on the first £100 of such value, 6 per cent, on the second £100, and 5 per cent on the third £100 which would mean that on a cottage of 10s per week rental, the maximum amount that the Board could collect would be £1 15s 8d yearly, It was estimated that the water rate wouid show a profit of 50 per cent, all profit would be transferred in the reduction of the igeneral rate. The supply of water to factories would be through a meter. It is not, however; intended to put in meters to supply io private residences. The Board has authority to levy a rate not exceeding half the above mentioned rates on all lands and buildings to which the water could be supplied but is not supplied within 100 yards of any part of. the. water works. It is estimated that the aver* age outlay to householders for connection to water supply would be £2 10s. J

At the conclusion of his remarks which were received with applause,' the Chairman, said that he would be pleased to answer any questions, and give further

information asked for.

QUESTIONS,'

Mr LarsJ6che asked if the plan on- view was th : -ts3iie from which Mr Wilson,;the Engineer had based his estimates. He noticed that several parts of the town was not provided/for, several of the Avenues, costing a deal to connect, had been omitted. He wished to know if the £10,000 was not, sufficient would they not have to borrow. more money to complete the scheme.

The Chairman stated that the map .was a rough plan drawn by the Engineer, Mr Wilson, for the purpose of forming his estimate, allowance had been made for parts not marked out in detail on the map. He had no doubt that the scheme could be carried out well within the estimate. There was a certain amount of profit coming out of the rates that' would cover any extras.

Mr Laßoche: What provisionhad been made for the catcbment of water, if the proposal was carried. Have the Board ascertained their position with regard to the outlet. He was of opinion that if the sewerage was going into the river the Board would find the position a rather difficult one, unless their position was made clear with the Marine Department. Had that been done.

The Chairman : In regard to the catchment of water, a site was in view in the Mangakura. They had a surplus of £500 for that purpose, and the land there was not of great value; he thought it could be easily acquired. In regard to the outlet they had not made their position clear with the Marine Department, but did not contemplate any difficulties. Mr Wilson had assured them the deposite would not be offensive. It would be let go at ebb tide, which would be different to dumping at anytime; the deposits would then go away with the tide.

Mr. La Roche : In answer to a question you said that Mr Wilson estimates the connections at £6 or £7. I have communication from a leading City Engineer who has gone carefully into the matter stating that with a 50 feet drain at a depth of 4 feet, with night pan and flush, would cost £12 10s ; if they struck rock it would be more, but in no case to exceed double. There would be some places where an 80 feet drain would be required. Then again, how do you propose to put in meters to each' dwelling, is the Board going to supply them. The cost of drainage and water connections in addition would be a serious item.

The Chairman: Under the Municipal Act the minimum they could collect was 10s per annum for water; on a house bringing in 10s a week rent the maniraum amount that the Board, could charge would be £1 15s 8d pearly. It is estimated that the average outlay to householders for connections to water supply would be £2 10s. The Board would only put in meters where needed. In addition to the houses they could sell water to the shipping, railway, etc,, which would bring in a fair sum.

Mr Hammond: The cost of flushing pans etc., could be procured for £2 12s 6d. He thought Mr La Roche had over-esti-mated the cost of connections.

At this stage Mr La Roche wished to read a letter withholding writers name. The meeting called for name. The Chairstated that if the letter was criticising Mr Wilson the name should be given, Mr La Roche said he might do the writer harm in divulging the name, as he was a likely tenderer, and the letter was not read.

Mrßermar: Would the factories be based on the same footing as the dwelling houses.

The Chairman : Factories and stores would have meters.

.Mr Jas. McLeod being called upon, said there was no doubt as to the quantity or quality of the water procurable from the proposed source. He had visited it at different seasons and there was always a good flow. He had visited it in company with Mr Mclntosh and Dr Gill and others and they were all satisfied with it; it had been analysed as pure water, There should be no doubt about Mr Wilson's est.im.ate, He had ha,d some conversation with Mr Wilsori oi> tl}o subject Mr Wilson instanced the Tauraijga water scheme which, had been completed in face of all the difficulties croping up, for a margin under his estimate of £12,000, There was not likely to be such difficulties in Helensville and he thought the wovk woujd be carried out well within the amount named. IJc seated, that the Kaipara Dairy Co. had laid in a 2 iiich pipe and they had a continuous 1" h\}\ flow for only half tho cost it was estimated at, and they were getting over 45,000 gallons from it. All the estimates that have been worked out by Mr Wilson for the Waitemata County Council have "so far been the other way, having always got tenders uydsr the amount, and it has been the samp with Mr Jackson's estimates. Mr Hamnionfi: ft was, inqst, ljecessary that the ratepayers should conscientiously consider whether we are going to have t^e drainage and water or not. .There has hepn a Jot of sickness in the town right through the wiuter ijto^ths. I'tvyas noti- wfiefher we wanted" a cjraiuage scheme, which was manifest, but wether we were going to live on in the insanitary state as pointed out by the Health Officers report. He thought the time w^s opportune for the ratepayers to make an eft'oft, ff {jhjg scheme was not carried what were they' goi'rjg tjQ do ;' wi}£:re was the money co'mtng froih.' " '" Mr Becroft: Tjnsis a seripps question, drainage was badly required. The Board receive repeated complaints' from people irj the gulleys which, is iihe na|.upa| di<ah], near which buildings arp erected, of those higher up draining pn to there property. What gpuld jthe Board'do, tijere was no money, and the only thing was to borrow, jt. He pointed out the Hospital one of the plages rpqvtipiTjg v/hich at present was orilydraingd for SO feet into, a natural gully on I>riyate property. ' tp, his mind it' \sras not going to be a laage cost, and we would get a good pure water supply, He hoped they would go in for the loan. * . Mj Thompson instanced the dram rungjijjf tfarpn? h fcie pipped The Chair.

said it was so near the poll, and if that was carried it would be part of the drainage scheme; if the proposal was not carried the. Board would have the pipes already on *the ground put in.

In reply to Mr .Lambert as to wether the owners of the property had been approached, and if the cost had been included in the estimate. The Chairman stated that the cost had been included. If the money was not enough Mr Lambert could be set out as engineer.

Mr Vercoe thought the scheme was premature. He remembered in Auckland they did without water a long time. (A voice : A lot of them were dead). He thought they should buy some land and have a proper night-soil system. If the fllushiug went into the river it would polute the whole neighbourhood,

The Chairman said that it was proved that when such deposits came into salt water it lost its odious properties. It was not now but in their fathers-time that they had night-soil contracts, conditions had improved and we wished to advance with the times. . ...

Mr Rea: With all due respect, I think Mr Vercoe's idea is as far back as Adam. He was one of those mentioned in the Health Officers report, it was not his fault, !it was the absence of proper drainage, owing .to inaction on the part of previous Boards. The shortage of water in previous seasons had cost him £1 to £1 105,,: in boardinghouses scarcity of water was a big item. He would move " That the drainage and water scheme be left in the hands of the Town Board to take af poll as advertised, on September 21st."

Mr Cameron in seconding the motion said, that taking a house of £250 the water and drainage rate, would come to £113s lO^d, the pan system would'cost £1 19s, which would be 6s extra.

Mr-La Roche, said, that there were a number of ratepayers-not present who were opposed to the scheme. He thought they had not sufficient information on the matter. He proposed as an ameiinment " That the question of the poll be deferred for six months, to enable the ratepayers to be better informed as to the actual cost."

The amendment was seconded by Mr Caundle. ..

Mr McLeod stated that when the previous Boards were in power they could only borrow £300, under the'present Act they could borrow larger sums, and they should, take it while they had the chance, The Waitemata County Council are borrowing between 60,000 and 70,009, so you see that the present Act is being taken advantage of. He hoped the ratepayers seize this opportunity, as itmay be a long time before they can borrow such a sum again.

The Chairman said they had taken the advice of Mr Wilson who was one of the best Engineers in the Dominion, There has been a suggestion that the estimates prepared by Mr Wilson are not reliable. In answer to this he would say that Mr Wilson had just completed a water and drainage scheme at Tauranga, his estimate being £12,000, while the actual tender price was £11,454. At the present time he is engineer to a number of Boards in the Auckland district. The scheme was in Mr Wilson's hands and he would see it through to the finish. The ratepayers can rest assured that the matter of estimates and. expenditure are in safe hands. In proceeding with the loan the Board decided to take the Ratepayers into their confidence and take their vote on the matter. Should, however a Town District become unsanitary, local authority has power, upon the recommendation of the Health Officer and the approval of the Minister, to borrow money without the consent of th 9 ratepayers. Helensville has now come to the parting of the ways.it will be necessary for the ratepayers on the 21st instance to say " Yes," if they want the drainage and water scheme, or "No," if they do not require it. The matter is altogether in their hands. If they reject the scheme then they must not blame the Board if by-laws are more stringent as regards buildings, drainage, etc., etc., At the present moment while this matter is being dealt with many things which should not exiat stand in obeyanco, In a little while it will not be one as between the Board and ratepayers but will bo a matter to be reckoned with under the Public Health Act. The position has now reached this stage whero it is necessary for all ratepayers who want to advance the District to pull together and build the township up. Without assistance in construction is destruction only. (Applause). On tho amendment being put three veted for it, and the proposal was declared carried,

A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman (Mr Stewart) was carried by accUm at ion.

After thirteen failures, T. W. Burgess, the English swimmer, swam the English Channell last Wednesday, Sept. 6th., thus accomplishing; the feat for the second time in history, Captain Webb be]ng the oniy\ other swimmer to wade into, the sea in England and ont in France. Burgoss wins a cup valued at 250g5., offered to the first man to equal Captain WoWs feat. Since Captain Webb wain the channel, thirty-fivo years ago, 78 attempts have been made by 23 individuals, including two women, Annette Kellerman and Madam Isacksen. to swim the Chancel, Jabez Wolfe heading the list with fifteen unsuccessful attempts. Montague Holbeift }\?,s had the Vorst huik 'of' ail the swimmers trying- ihp feat, far twice ho got to within a mile of tLe shore. In July Jab.pz Wolfe was only 800 yards away when a strong tide set in from the shore, and, unable to battle against it. though still fairly, fresh, he had to give in anc| climb in'p $he b^at.

4^otorua has been laughing, audibly and. irreverantly over the wording of a notice that has been placed by the Public AYorks t)ep ! a.rttnens o^ s,qine p,f t\\e eleufiic Tire pip-.sJs pu tho road to Gkere. ißome time ago a Maori youth who seemed to have a misguided taste for experimenting, threw a long piece of: wire over the electric wires that run to Eotorua from tbe power station at the Okere Falls. The fcf^u was at qnee plunged da^^egs ip,r two or three hp,ur.s ymti} th,e mis,ch.ief/ was located.. $Hp dusfey and youthful e>^ perimon^r- was, cay.'p.ete4 the Ooxirt ftnd lined for his scientific enthusiasm, uud tho Pepai'tment put up this noticee :—" Any person climbing1 the electric light poles or damaging the insulators are-liable to !( '{^| *VWI $ penalty oi

I£or. that h,ackin,g: c.o,i}gh at ipght take Tonking's Linseed Emulsion. ~ Fron( all chemists and stores. Is' §'d, 2^6^, 4s 6d.

Ypu ciyn, easily get ridj of that cold by taking Tonking's Linseed Emulsion.— #rom all chemists and stores, Is 6d, |s&d, 4 : 6 6d,