Foxton Borough Council.

Manawatu Herald, 16 November 1893, Page 2

Foxton Borough Council.

A special meeting of the above Council was held at the Library Buildings on Tuesday afternoon.

Present— The Mayor (G. Nye), Crs. Tenlcs, McPherson and Austin.

The Mayor said that the meeting had been called for further considering the water supply, and to take steps about the recovery of rates. Since the Council met last it was thought that the pump might be interfered with, and the cap and bend had been unscrewed twice as it was, and the Public Works Committee discussed as to what was best to be done. Tt was found that any precaution taken in fixing the pump would be powerless to prevent its being tampered with. Mr Alzdorf had taken some levels and a fall could be obtained from top of pipe down the drain to a point 12 feet below culvert, of 3tt. 9in., and to the Courthouse corner there was a rise of 5 foet. By taking a pipe from the well down the creek a flow could be obtained 18 inches above the surface by lowering the road a foot. The water could flow into a trough, and the waste could run into the creek. He estimated the cost would be from £25 to £80. In any case a pipe would have to run from the well to under the culvert to keep the flow going, and preventing a fresh in the creek silting the pipe up This pipe would not be wasted, as when it was time to sink deeper, it could be used to carry water elsewhere. The Council had to decide if they would go to this further expense. He thought it was the Council's dufcy to do the work to ■secure the water. Though the flow was not so good as could have been wished, still the water was here, and he had noticed already people went to the well for water. It was a great benefit to the town.

Cr. Jenks said that by sinking a hogshead in the ground and letting the well flow into the cask a pump could be fixed into the cask, and no stopcock or other fixing would be needed. He thought it all could be done for £6.

Cr. McPherson said the pipe must in time go deeper.

The Clerk read the following letter from jihe Town Clerk at Wanganui : — "The cost of sinking well per foot below 800 feet is 255. and 7s extra if piped, an additional 50 feet was sunk at that .price. The, depth pf the well ii n0w,410 feet, the last 60 feet was put down by the contractor at his own risk and expense, but it is not piped. The flow of water is equal to a l£inch pipe, and until a coarse bed of gravel is struck it is very doubtful whether an increased flow will be obtained. The strata passed through at the depth between 300 and 400 feet consisted of soft sand of a b uish colour.

Cr Austin endorsed the remarks of the Mayor. Or Williams and the Mayor and himself had arrived at the conclusion the pipes, would be preferable to the pump. 'The outlay was larger at first but would always come in handy. . Or Jenks said that for economy he

would like to see a pump tried

Cr Williams and Bradcock not being present, it was thought best to adjourn to Monday next.