WATER SUPPLY FOR FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, 21 February 1905, Page 3

WATER SUPPLY FOR FOXTON.

AN INTERESTING SCHEMI

TO THE EDITOR OP THE MASAWATO HERALD,

Sir,—The Mayor has called a rneetfor Wednesday, the 22nd instant, to consider the question of obtaining p water supply for the town. There is no doubt that this is a, step in the right direction. Tho dry weather we are now getting is proof that this matter will have to be faced sooner or later as the present supply is found to he totally inadequate to meet tho requirements of any but a very small portion of the ratepayers. It is to he hoped that all those who take an interest in local affairs and have the welfare of the Borough at heart will attend the meeting, and join in discussing the water supply question in its various phases.

_ The three inain points to be considered uro (i) the purposes tor which it is required; (2) the source of supply; (3) ’frays and means. As to the first "point, we should require enough for a threefold purpose ; that is to say, household requirements, fire, and sewage. This last is just as essential as the other two. The time is not far distant when the Borough Council will have to provide ways and means for disposing of the sewage, more particularly in tlie central part of the town— Main Street and the adjoining streets. The second point to be considered is the source of supply. We have of course the river water, but we must first Consider whether the river water is suitable for all the requirements of the town for the threefold purpose. It would he right enough for fire and sewage purposes, but for domestic use it would be totally unfit for three obivous reasons: In the first place we have the flaxmills daily pouring their refuse into the river; secondly, the water is very muddy in the winter months ; and again, the water is sometimes brackish af spring tides in the summertime, ft will be easily seen from this that the idea of utilising the river Water at Foxton is altogether Impracticable. Another source of supply would be from the river at Moutoa. The water there during nine months of the year is fairly good ; still we have the muddy water in the winter time, and a further drawback is that the water would have to be pumped from the river into a large tank or into a reservoir and brought in pipes for a distance of seven or eight miles. I think this source will have to be left out of the question, for the simple reason that the fall is not sufficient to get enough pressure for all purposes. A further possible source would lie from the creeks at Shannon or some of the creeks near Tokomaru. Water from this source would have to be brought from 10 to 12 miles, crossing the Manawatu River on a bridge. The idea, 1 think, will also have to be abandoned owing to the great expense involved, which would be far beyond the reserves ot the Borough. From my experience of these matters, a supply from this source would cost £30,000 at least. The last, and to my mind the only practicable, source would be either a large well or an artesian bore—say a 3m or 4111 pipe...driven down near the windmill, at the back of the high ridgenear the railway cutting on the outskirts of the racecourse. A good flow being obtained at this spot, the water could be pumped up to the top of the hill and would then flow by gravitation to the town. This water would be pure. I may say that no definite estimate can be given of the total cost ot the undertaking until the levels of that portion of the town arc taken, the number ot houses that would require the water ascertained, and also the extent of the area to be supplied.

In the event of the Council deciding to put down a trial artesian bore, the question to be considered is “ What is it going to cost to get the necessary supply ? I give below for the consideration of those interested a rough estimate of the cost : Estimated cosrof 3 inch pipes and driving from one hundred to six hundred feet deep—- £ s. d. First 100 feet ... 17 13 o Second 100 feet ... 30 8 8 Third 100 feet ... 53 3 o ’ Fourth 100 feet ... 74 3 6 Fifth xoo feet ... S 3 5 4 Sixth 100 feet ... xox 19 o £365 12 6 Estimated cost and driving of four inch pipe from 100 to Coo feet deep—- £ s. d. First 100 feet ... 34 10 o Second 100 feet ... 62 13 o Third xoo feet ... 70 3 o Fourth xoo feet ... 96 3 o Fifth xoo feet ... no o o Sixth xoo feet ... 126 3 o £499 12 o This estimate is for driving and materials only. If water is struck at a short depth and a good flow is obtained, so much the better, but if it were necessary to go fairly deep, the cost would naturally be increased. If w.e bad to pierce to a depth of xooo <feet, I should estimate the cost at from £BO to £IOO per xoo feet for the ’ , Jast 400 feet. Provided a good supply is obtained the work will then be srai,ght-forward. As to the cost of

supplying say 200 houses lor our three purposes, I should place it about /5000 plus interest on same at 4-0 per cent, />55- . . . The figures given are all approximate, but I may say they arc based on my own past experience. I trust that a ven' large number ■ (he ratepayers wit! make it me., business to attend tlm meeting 01 Wednesday night, and I shall be well saitfied if this letter serves to arouse an interest, in the important question ot '•■ur-nh’. It would not b° exaggeration tc say that the futuie ol fV'xton is largely bound up _in the result of this matter, thanking you for space, 1 am, etc. Townsman.

“ AWAKF ! ARISE ! OR RE FOR EVER FALLEN ”

TO THE EDITOR OF TH? MANAWA'tTj HERALD. Sik, —I sincerely hope that all townspeople who can will attend the meeting to be held to-morrow night in j flu: Public Hall, for the of going into borough affairs. The Council have seen fit to shelve the questions of lighting and water supply, two essential improvements here, and j as (hoy appear to be quite satisfied with the existing order of things, it remains lor the ratepayers to take united action. I am glad to see the Mayor’s name appearing as convenor of Ihe meeting. In my opinion, he is the only “live ” representative on the Council. I am, etc., Reform.