LIGHT AND WATER.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 8 July 1920, Page 3

LIGHT AND WATER.

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS

The meeting called by the Town Board last evening, in connection with the loan proposals for additional water supply and electric light, was well attended, over 40 ratepayers putting in an appearance, Mr Jas Stewart, chairman of the Town Board, presided, and other councillors present were Messrs C West, W. Coutts, T. Johnston, and H. Thompson. The chairman explained in detail the proposed water scheme. Last summer had been an anxious time so far as water was concerned, and by the end of the level of the water in the dam had fallen 38in. A meeting to discuss the position W*+ held, and a resolution authorising the Board to go on /with the proposal for additional ' siorgr^e facilities had been pass>.ed. In the meantime arrange- *" Tiients have been made with the State Advances Office for a loan of £5000 at 5H per cent, repayable with sinking fund in 36^ years. The original loan for water and drainage was £11,000, and a later loan was arranged with the Union Bank for £3300, on which no rate had been collected. Providing the present proposals were carried, the town was getting an efficient water and drainage service, which he estimated would be ample for ten years to come, at a cost undar £20,000. Present water and drainage estimates were given as follows: — Credit. ,jl Present rates on water and £ s. d. drainage loan (l^d)* ... 600 0 0 Water and drainage charges 550 0 0 Total £1150 0 0 *£10,000 at l^d, £1000 at Mi. Debit. Interest at bH% on £11,000 £ s. d. Loan* ... ... ■ ... 605 0 0 To Union Bank (Hypothecated Debentures)-!" 168 0 0 New Loan £5000 at 5^% ... 275 0 0 Surplus 102 0 0 Total £1150 0 0 Estimated surplus £102. ♦Reduced to £10,100. tOriginal loan £3300, reduced to £2800. Water, drainage and meter charges for the last 12 months amounted to £480. Estimated income for next 12 months £500, accounts sent out amount to £590. The chairman went on to say that although a rate (7-10ths of Id in the £ in the case of the proposed new loan) had to be struck in accordance with law, it was not likely the Bourd would collect same, as increased revenue from water and drainage charges would be ample to pay interest, etc The ratepayers were asked to vote for a proposal which will safeguard their existing water, at no extra cost to themselves. Another aspect of the scheme was that at present the town had no water for fire-fighting purposes in the summer. Had there been a fire last summer, the dam would have been emptied, and sewerage would have had to suffer. \ | The engineer's estimates in connection with the work were put : before the meeting. The new dam would be 30 feet above the bed of the Maungakura Creek. Capacity of storage area 3,134,550 gallons, and area to be submerged 1H acres. The engineer (Mr H. Munro Wilson) estimated the cost at 50 per cent, more than similar work done by him 12 years ago for the Auckland City Council. It would be necessary to make a temporary dam for a supply while the work was in progress. This would be situated above the area to be submerged, and provision was made for expenditure on this in the estimates. The chairman was of the opinion that the prices furnished for different phases of the work could in many cases be reduced, but the .engineer had kept on the safe side, and made ample provision in Ms estimates for all contingencies. Mr V. McLeod: Have the ""Board had any expert advice as purity of the present "'^water supply ? The chairman stated that it /'necessary a filter could be installed, which would guarantee absolutely pure water. He had particulars of these filters, which were used extensively throughout "New Zealand and all oyer the world. *m£ [Subsequently representatives of the Dairy Factory and the Town Board went into details regarding the filter methods, with an Auckland expert.] Mr/ Garry: lias the local body power to guaranteegwater supply * to consumers of large supply? Chairman : Had no guarantee other than the dam, which was constructed by experts in a reliable manner to meet every requirement. Mr West (to Mr Garry): '.You have no more guarantee from

your present dam that it will not fail you.

In reply to a query the chairman said the existing dam was never intended to supply the quantity of water it was now doing. The Railway Department had had over 2,000,000 gallons during the past year

In reply to Mr Coutts, the chairman said that provision was made to supply the Springs, but the Board would not at present take water past the bridge. One boarding house was prepared to pay a good price for water. The Springs should come in as portion of a borough and then benefit by town improvements.

Mr F. W. Strange spoke against the scheme. The supply at the present source would be insufficient in 8 or 10 years. They should get another scheme altogether, and make provision on a bigger scale than they were doing. He would not support the present scheme, The Ti Kokupu stream was the proper source for a good supply.

Mr C. West emphasised the importance of the water supply from a health point of view. If the supply failed at the height of summer, there were many users not sufficiently alive to the position to stop using sewerage in time. The result would be an epidemic of disease throughout the town. He considered the water proposal the far more important of the two before ratepayers.

Mr T. D. Johnson spoke in favour of the present scheme. The road over the present catchment area was a sore point with the Board, and he considered the present members should see that it was closed before they went out of office.

The chairman said that the Waitemata County Council were entirely to blame that no satisfactory solution had been made. A signed agreement between the two bodies was produced. In reply to a question, the chairman said the agreement was so good that the Board had been advised to take the matter before the Supreme Court. But there should be no occasion to take another local body to court.

A few other minor questions were asked, and answered by the chairman or members.

Details of the electric light scheme were also fully gone into by the chairman and members. A number of ratepayers spoke in favour of the light. Full particulars of the scheme appeared in the ECHO on June 24th, and we regret that owing to pressure on our space we are unable to further deal with the matter.