WATER SUPPLY FOR FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 845, 28 May 1910, Page 3

WATER SUPPLY FOR FOXTON.

OVERTURES DISCUSSED BY DEVIN COUNCID.

In our last issue we made brief mention of the fact that the Devin Borough Council had discussed Foxton’s enquiry as to whether the former would be prepared to allow Foxton to draw its water supply from that locality. The following is our Devin contemporary’s full report of the meeting which should provide interesting reading to local ratepayers : The Mayor in opening the proceedings, said that they had met to consider the matter of supplying Foxton with a water supply from the Devin water works. He did not think it necessary to go into the question of an agreement that evening. There were only two points which Foxtou wanted to know, and they were these : Could Devin supply them, and if so, at what price ? The matter, continued His Worship, was one of the greatest importance, because it must spread over a number of years. At any rale at least over 21 years. The Council had always made a certain provision in its municipal works lor the future instead of for a year or two, and in this matter they had to consider the question of revenue and try to obtain as much as possible from outside sources. This would make it easier on the ratepayers, and if they supplied Foxton with water it would not interfere with the rights of other people. He could not see why they should not utilise the water in the case of a town like Foxton. For the purposes of Foxton and Devin they only touched four per cent, of the water of the Ohau. A report had been made to the Government on the water supply of the Ohau in 1908, and the result was that Mr Holmes, the engineer-in-chief to the Government, submitted a report to the Minister of Public Works, in which he assured the Minister that the water used in Devin would make no difference in the matter of irrigation. The report went on to say that if irrigation took place there was ample water for all time. They had in the pipes a capacity of carrying over 500,000,000 gallons annually. Provided the population of Devin should grow to 5000, the most they would be using would amount to 250,000 gallons per day. Foxton would have to supply a 9 inch pipe. The effect upon the pressure would not be very much, and for some time Foxton would not be able to take the water in large quantities. Very little alterations to the system would have to be made. The present settling tanks would last both towns for four years. One thing he wanted them to consider in the report of Mr Climie on the question, and that was that the interest upon the head works should be charged upon both boroughs. He was dead against that, because he thought that Devin should have complete control over its own headworks. He moved :—■“ That this Council, having had satisfactory evidence placed belorc it in regard to the water supply of the Ohau, is now prepared to enter into negotiations with the Foxton Borough Council to supply the borough of Foxtou with water from the Devin mains.”

Cr Cameron formally seconded the motion.

Mr Climie, answering Cr Hudson, expressed the opinion that the Ohau was able to supply without any difficulty whatever, the combined needs of Foxtou and Devin, so that supplying Foxtou with water would make 110 appreciable effect whatever on the resources of the Ohau. If the Council could sell water and get revenue from other people it would be a very good thing for the public of Devin.

Cr Palmer thought it would be a very good thing lor Devin, and a good thing lor Foxtou, too, if they could be supplied with Devin’s water. At the same time they had to consult their own interests beiore they negotiated with any other body.

Cr France had much pleasure in supporting the motion, because Devin would have an ample supply of water, and the proposal would be a good thing for the people of Devin.

Cr Hannan, in view ot the .satisfactory report of the engineer, supported the motion. To give effect to the proposal would be a very good thing, not only to Foxton, but to Levin. (Applause.) It would, he believed, be the means of reducing the rates in Levin very considerably. When it came to a question of detail and fixing the rates of charge, he would submit that the matter be dealt with in committee. With that reservation he heartily supported the motion. Cr Hudson told the Council that the scheme, after the statements of the engineer, had his cordial support. The proposal was an excellent one provided the details could be worked out to the satisfaction of the borough, and provided it could be shown that Levin could supply the water. It was very important that the rates of Levin should be reduced, and he was satisfied, after the statements of the engineer, that the proposal was a sound one. Cr Lancaster, having regard to the evidence of the engineer, thought the Council could not do better than entertain the proposal, especially as it would materially help them to solve the burden of the rates. If Levin could sell its water, and bring iu a revenue he did not think one ratepayer would object to it. (Applause). The Mayor said that he was pleased that the Council was so

unanimous on the question. The matter was of very great importance, but still he thought they had details in front of them that showed they had nothing to fear about the water supply. He thought the Council ought to be congratulated upon the matter, because it the proposals were adopted it would be a source of revenue, and the Council had acted wisely in making provision for it. So far as the financing of the tanks was concerned, the Mayor assured the Council that there was no question for worry. The money received from Foxtou could go towards the reduction of the rates and a sinking fund for the provision of the tanks. It was not a question of one borough supplying another with water, because, as a matter of fact, he had a letter from Dunedin, which intimated that the local authority there, was supplying three other places, and was entering into negotiations with another borough in the same matter. There was nothing to fear, and he was glad that the Press was present so that it could show the people that the Council was completely justified in the course it was pursuing. In conclusion, the Mayor said that if Foxtou got the water, it would be very fortunate in having such a healthy and pure supply. (Applause). Mr Climie had visited the various districts of New Zealand, and he was prepared to say that there was not a better supply in the Dominion. The motion was then unanimously agreed to, and the Council went into committee on the question of charges.

The following is a copy of the questions and answers submitted to the Devin Council in reference to the above matter, by the engineer, Mr Climie: — “His Worship the Mayor, Devin.

Dear Sir. —I have the honour to submit the following in answer to yonr queries of the 16th instant :

The amount of water that a town like Foxton would require annually spread over say thirty years ? Answer: 65,700,000 gallons. What size pipes would be required from the boundary of our borough to the boundary of the Foxton borough ? Answer : Nine inch pipes ; or less if reservoir was made. Would Devin need to make any alteration in the size of the pipes if we supplied Foxton ? Answer: No.

What effect would it have on our pressure and supply in Devin?

Answer: No effect on the supply, but it will reduce the pressure by qlbs on the average consumption, and 50113 S at maximum demand thirty years hence. In your opinion with our present supply and size mains, what quantity of a population could we serve ?

Answer : For a purely domestic supply the present mains will serve 10,000 people. This includes the water that might be needed when drainage comes. Would any alteration or a new tank have to be made in connection with the settling tanks ? Answer : The present tanks are sufficient for a population of 3,000.

Do you candidly think it would be advisable to enter into a contract with Foxtou for say thirty years ?

Answer: lam of opinion that it would be of great advantage, and it would reduce the interest charges to both boroughs. What water would the present mains carry into Devin say daily ?

Answer: One and one-eighth millions gallons (nearly), leaving solbs pressure on mains.

Give what in your opinion would be the estimated quantity of water that could be taken from the Ohau river by this borough (Devin) without interfering with other people’s rights ? Answer: The full capacity of the main one and a-half million gallons daily, would make no appreciable difference; this is about four per cent, of minimum flood at Ohau.

Give cost (if any) ou any part of the works that would have to be incurred if we made satisfactory arrangements to supply the borough of Foxtou. Answer : The only cost (beyond the cost of main which would be paid for by the F'oxton borough ) would be one meter costing approximately ,£2OO. In your opinion would any legal point be tested as to our right to supply water outside of our own borough ? Answer: 1 am of opinion that it is legal to combine with another local body. Give any details that you think would forward the suggestion made in regard to Foxtou.

Answer: If the Foxton borough was supplied from the Levin mains both boroughs would be benefited by the arrangement in so much as sharing the Interest on the cost of the intake, headworks, and the mains common to both supplies. It might be necessary to carry a gin main from the borough boundary to the centre of Levin, so that the Foxton supply would be directly jointed with the yin main from the headworks. Also it would ba necessary to instal one “ Venturi ” meter on the Foxton boundary beyond the Levin borough boundary.

The meter used would be selfrecording, so that there would be very little trouble in arriving at the proper proportion. The present settling tanks would serve until the combined consumption drew water off too quickly to allow proper time for settlement.

In regard to the legality of supplying water to other boroughs I

believe that Wellington, Wanganui and Dunedin supply the adjoining boroughs with water from their supply. The question may arise as to the reason the mains specified for Devin are sufficient for this extra nemand. My reason for specifying and recommending these mains was that there would be a sufficient flow, without gread reduction of pressure, for fire-prevention purposes.

Trusting that the foregoing information will be of service to you. Yours etc., H. W. Ci.imik.”