Water Rights.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 8 December 1917, Page 2

Water Rights.

4 MANAKAt* PROTESTS AGAINST I>EYEHSIOi\ T . A proposal to take water from the Manakau stream to supply a dairy company brought several protests to to.diay's County Council meeting. Mr G. 11. Harper objected on behalf of Mr James Death to any interference wiili tlip stream, which flowed through, his land, and stated tluat if it was illtended to form a special water race dv-triet, he would make formal objection under the Water Supply Act* ■Messrs Barton and Mazengarb, on behalf of Mr A. Houghton, gave notice that the stream ran through the Hatter's property and it was used and relied upon by him, and lie J J((i not consent to any diversion of Clie stream or any works above him that would diminish the flow of water. Mr A. Rogers telegraphed protesting on behalf of Edythe Carkeek and stating the Council would be held liable for any damage done by the proposed diversion. The Otaki Dairy 'Company wrote : "We are informed that there is an attempt being made to clirert the water which runs by our creamery at Manakati by tapping the stream andi forming a race to carry the water in some other direction. If this is so we Jiave ito enter a protest against the water being intercepted."

Or. Monk said the Council knew nothing about the matter.

The Engineer saidi the settlers came to him to see if there were was any possibility of getting water. He went over the ground, took the levels and found it would be an easy and inexpensive work, costing about £45. However so many objections liad been made that it was difficult to say what would be done. There was plenty of water for everyone and it was like the dog. in the nuanger———

The tliairman: That has nothing to do with the- Council. So far as wo are concerned nothing has been done in lid it is for the settlers to decide whether they would go on. The Engineer said the settlers interested wore meeting the objectors arid 110 doubt some arrangement would bo arrived at. The letters were 'received. Cr. 'Ryder said there were many objections to the proposal and he thought the stream was too (small. The chairman said the initiative now rested with the settlers.