Important Meeting on River Pollution.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 30 May 1890, Page 3

Important Meeting on River Pollution.

DEFENSIVE STEPS AGREED TO. In accordance with an invitation issued by the Mayor of Foxton. a • meeting wa9 held at the Library bui dings yesserday at 1.30 p.m, of representatives from all the Local Bodies having land abutting on the ■ Manawata river, below the proposed outlet of the Palmerston North sewage. Messrs J. W. Gower (Mayor) J. R McMillan, and A. Jonson represented the Foxton Borough Council J. Kiabbell, Chairman of the Horowbenua County Council ; J. Davies, 'Chairman of the Wirokiao Road Board, and F.G- . Andrews, a member of both County and Road Board, represented the Horowhenua County Council and the "Wirokino Eoad Board. Mr Thomas Mitchell represented the Manawatu County Council, and Mr Akers the Fitzherbert Road Board. On the motion of Mr Daviea seconded by Mr Andrews Mr Gnwer was voted to the chair. Mr Gower said : The business for this meeting to discuss is the fact that thfi Worough Council of Palmerston N. have let a contract to convey the sewage of that town into the JJanawatu river. It will be for us to consider what steps shall be taken to atop such action. One question is, can we take action before a nuisance has been committed? Another question will be as to how the expenses are to be borne. I call -upon Mr Alters to make a statement. Mr Akers said I have been askerl to represent the Road Board. I think the first thing we have to see to, is to obtain a Solicitor. I have have taken great interest in this iniportaut matter. I believe there is ; in existence a contract, and the contractors have lof a mile of main, piping done. I think .we should take the best possible legal Opinion . astowhetherwecanmoveorifwe have to wait: until some nuisance is' corn niitted. We are all agreed a5? to the tla-mage likely^to be -done. Mr' Daviea said, I think we sjiould jiake a legal opinion as to restraining the Palmerston people from doing this damage, and then take .action. I would propose that we sbxaild submit the question to eitber.Mr Chftpmim or Mr Bell. MrKebbell sai-J, I differ at present from the last two speakers, and be- . fore-going to 'aw I think we slruld interview the Government, for as far as the river is navigable they oan act. I urged the M.yur of Palmerston td meet us and try and arrange some plan with us, but he has negtected to make any rep'y. Mr Gower said, It always appears a question as to whether it shdu'd be a matter for \is to obtain an in* junction, or authorise our Solicitor to make a legal objection and serve it upon the Palmerston Boi'ouph. I . wiil'uiovft that a Barristers' opinion be obtained to ascertain the legal position of the various protesting - bodies in regard to preventing the discharge of ucfiltered sewage from the Borough of Palonerston North into the Manawatu river, Mr Davies seconded ihe motion and being put was can Kd. Mr . Andrews, proposed and Mr Mitchell seconded, That Mr Martin . .Chapman's opinion be taken re the , emptying of the Palmert-ton North sewage into the Macawatu river. •: Carried ' . Mr Andrews prdposed and Mr Dtivies seconded, That Messrs. rteb* ■^el). Mitchell, ThnChairinnn of the ' " Fitsilierber't Road Board, the Mayor of Foxton, Chairman of the Wirokinoßoad Board,' »nd Chairman of

the Maaawata Koad - Board •be a oommittee to carry out all necessary steps and give effect to the resolu* fions pa'sae.d at tliis 'meeting, carried. 'Mr G invey proposed tha'tiMrKeb* bell be Chairman of the committee. Be is a Chairman under whom I r should have pleasure to act. "Mr" Mitchell seconded it. MrKebbell regretted to have to decline, being -so 1 far away and ti luted Mr Gower or Mr Davies would act.' Mr Davies moved and Mr Akers seconded, That Mr Gower be chair man~carried. Mr Gower said I am always anxious to assist and I will accept the pos' ilionifno other member can be induced to accent, though I would rather have acted with some one else as chairman. Mr Kebbell proposed, Mr Mitchell seconded, That it it hereby agreed that any expenses incurred by the' Committee appointed to deal with the Borough of Palmerston North n Sewage, shall be /eqiially' divided hr tween tlie tocal Boclie3 who are of Oppoeed to' the sewage being emptied into the Manawatu -River — carried. Mr Itebbell proposed and Mr Davie3 seconded a vote of thanks to the chair which was carried. Committee* : The members of ihe Committee met immediately and prepared a draft letter to be sent to Mr Chapman for his opinion. It was understood that on recoipt of Mr Chapman's opinion a meeting would be convened.