THE WATER SUPPLY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 458, 11 May 1909, Page 3

THE WATER SUPPLY.

CRITICISM OF TRIAL BORE. BORING TO CONTINUE. At last night’s Council meeting a letter was read from the contractor for sinking the artesian bore, stating that he had completed his contract, having reached a depth of 350 feet without striking water and offering to sink a further 100 feet provided the pipes would stand the strain of driving. His price for the work would be 8s gd per foot from 350 to 400 feet and gs gd per foot from 400 to 450 feet.—lt was proposed by Cr Speirs and seconded by Cr Ross that the artesian well at present being sunk in Main Street be discontinued.

Cr Speirs, in speaking to the motion, said that he was against sinking any further as he did not consider there was any chance of getting a flow. The contra ctor had struck water at 190 feet, but it only rose to within seven feet of the surface, and even if water was struck further down he was of opinion that it would not rise to the surface. Even supposing that a flow was struck it would be of no use for a town supply. Cr Ross said he did not think the pipes would stand driving much further. His opinion was that they would not strike water that would flow to the surface owing to the high level. He considered it was a waste of money to continue sinking. Cr Coley said that though water that would not rise to the surface had been struck at igo feet, they did not know but what there might be a far stronger flow further down. The well was being sunk with reserve money, and was a test bore, an d he considered it would be foolish to discontinue sinking now. They had spent something over and they may as well spend another would be a splendid thing for the place. Cr Gibbs was iu favour of boring another 20 to 25 feet and if water was not found then, to discontinue. His opinion was that if they had to go through another seam of clay the pipes would break.

Cr Jenks said that he agreed with Cr Coley, that the work should be continued. No oneknew whether water was down lower and he had heard of wells being sunk to a depth of 2000 feet iu Australia and South Africa and water being obtained to flow well above the surface. It would be money wasted it the work was discontinued. They had the funds, and he would suggest going on with the work. He moved an amendment that the Council continue to sink down to 500 feet, if water is not obtained before, and when that depth has been reached a meeting of the Council be held to decide what further steps be taken. The amendment was seconded by Cr Rimmer.

Cr Speirs, in replying, said that if they sunk any further there was risk of the pipes bending or breaking. He did not think there was any chance of them standing the strain of sinking to a depth of 500 feet. Although the money was being spent out of the reserves fund he could not look on it as money well spent. He would be quite agreeable for the work to continue for another 20 or 25 feet but no further. The amendment on being put was carried, Crs Speirs, Ross and Gibbs voting against it. The Mayor then read the following statement which he had received from Mr Chrystall on the subject. The progress, and formation passed through was as follows: —The first 23 feet sand, and up to 37 feet coarse metal, and up to 178 feet small shingle and black sand. From 178 to 190 feet a seam of sticky blue clay dividing the surface water from artesian. After boring through the clay metal was struck from which the water rose to within 7 feet of the surface. From 190 to 250 feet coarse metal and at 250 feet a seam of peat and rotton timber about 4 feet thick. From 254 to 350 feet mostly fine sand mixed with sea shells, Mr Chrystall stated that he would like to see the bore tried until the next seam of clay was reached. It there was then no further rise in the water it would be useless to

go on, but until this had been done he does not think that a fair trial would have been given. The Mayor said if no water is struck we will have tested this matter, and the money will not be thrown away inasmuch as a pump can be put on and that water obtained as required for ordinary use. It was also decided on the motion of Cr Ross, seconded by Cr Coley, that a record of the stratas from the well be kept in the Council office for future reference.