WATER SUPPLY FROM LEVIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 855, 21 June 1910, Page 3

WATER SUPPLY FROM LEVIN.

DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL,

PROPOSAL REJECTED

A special meeting of the Foxtou Borough Council was held in the Council Chamber last night to pass special order re Frances Street, to discuss Levin water supply, and consider re-opening negotiations for the purchase of the gas works. There were present: His Worship the Mayor (G. H. Stiles Esq.) and Crs Rimmer, Coley, Ross, Speirs, Gibbs Levett, Stewart and Robinson.

In connection with the water supply from Levin the Mayor moved that in reference to the offer of a water supply by the Levin Borough Council, this Council considers the price beyond its reach, taking into consideration the cost this borough will have to incur in laying mains from Levin, and throughout the borough, and would ask Levin to reconsider the matter, and give a bedrock price. The motion was seconded by Cr Coley.

In speaking to the motion the Mayor said he did not think it was necessary to deal with any more than the cost to this borough, as it was quite evidentfrom the engineer’s report, that there is more than ample supply and the quality is of the best. As one who read the proceedings of the Levin Council when discussing the matter he said it was very noticeable the unanimity with which the proposal was received by them, and also the fact that in supplying Foxton no additional cost would be entailed on them with the exception of a meter. In view of this circumstance it was a great disappointment to him when the offer was made at 6d per 1000 gallons, which to his mind was absolutely out of the question, in view of the great expense this borough would have to face in connecting up. It would almost appear that this latter fact was overlooked by the Levin Council when discussing the matter, but in conversation with the Mayor of Levin he assured the speaker that such was not the case. In round figures the estimated cost for a combined scheme of water and drainage, using Levin supply would be /29,00 c, and in estimating on a population basis of 1500 at 50 gallons per day, there would be an additional /68q per annum charged for water, which would, combined, be equivalent to a loan of /43,000. And this fact must be borne in mind, that should the population increase the yearly charge would be added to. It was at once evident that a supply from Shannon would be very much cheaper, the whole would be under their supervision, and no limitation of water. His opinion was that unless Levin were prepared to make such an annual charge that would bring this scheme cheaper to them than from elsewhere, with no meter measurement, and a very long period of contract, it would be useless to the borough. He would like to see the motion carried, as it involved them in no way, and it would give the Levin Borough Council a chance to re-discuss the matter, as considering we were going to use the overflow from Levin only, without interfering with their supply, it was evident that they could if they so desired make the price a very low one. Cr Coley said that the annual charge of over /600 for water was quite sufficient to satisfy him that the Levin scheme was out of the question. Cr Gibbs said that he would favour taking a poll of the ratepayers on the question, but personally he was opposed to the scheme and would not favour it under any consideration. He would far rather lay the pipes to Shannon for a supply —it would not be any further than Levin, would not cost any more—and Foxtou would then have their own water rights. The only extra cost would be the catchment area, dam, etc., and the interest on these would not amount to any more

than the water from Levin would cost per annum. However, if it was the wish of the Council to put it before the ratepayers and go fully into the matter he was quite agreeable, but if it was going to cost as much as shown by the Mayor he would certainly oppose it. He stated also that there might be difficulties in the future in connection with the supply that could not be seen at the present time.

Cr Levett expressed the opinion that by discussing the scheme they were simply beating the air ; thej 7 might just as well talk of going to Mars for water. He likened it to bringing coals to Newcastle, as there was one of the finest rivers in the Dominion right alongside, aud they still talked of going to Levin for water. He said that to discuss the Levin scheme was a mere waste of time.

Cr Speirs agreed with the previous speaker’s remarks to the effect that it was a waste of time to discuss it. To enter into further negotiations with Levin was only beating the wind, as nothing would come of it in the end. The scheme would cost too much, even if it was practicable, which he contended it was not. It was absolutely outside Foxton’s reach. There would be 15 miles of mains to maintain, and he said the Council could not think of going in for it. Cr Coley said he was of opinion that the scheme was beyond the Council’s reach. The per year would provide interest on a loan of and under those circumstances they might just as well go to Shannon. By paying £6&2 a year the Foxton Council would he paying the interest on almost the whole of the Levin loan.

Cr Speirs pointed out that the price at which the Wellington City Council used to supply the steamers was fourpence per 1000 gallons, and he believed that they were now supplying the Harbour Board at either twopence or threepence per 1000 gallons. The Mayor said the Devin Council was at present supplying the Railway Department at ninepence per 1000 gallons. Cr Ross: “They’ve got a soft thing on !” The Mayor said he would like the Council to pass the resolution. To get their bedrock price would cost nothing—and they might just as well have it, and find out what the Devin Council is really prepared to do. He thought that out of courtesy they should at least send a reply. Personally, he said he was an advocate of the Shannon scheme in preference to Devin. Cr Gibbs explained that by saying he was opposed to the scheme he did not mean that they should cease negotiations at once. He contended it was the duty of the Council to get all the information possible, and he therefore would support resolution. Cr Ross said he was surprised to hear Cr Gibbs say what he did. A few minutes before he had stated he would oppose the Devin scheme on any consideration and now he says he favours getting the Devin bedrock price. The speaker said that as business men they should say they would not have it and be done with it.

Cr Rimmer agreed with Cr Ross. He said he did not know if the Levin supply would be any good even if they got it for nothing.

The Mayor said they were quite within their rights to get the lowest price. Cr Levett asked even if they offered the water at threepence whether it would be good enough to touch.

The Mayor said it would provided they could get it for long enough period. Cr Levett contended that it would cost equally as much to keep the mains between Levin and Foxton in repair as it would for the pumping gear on the proposed artesian supply. The Mayor pointed out that there would be the same cost in the Shannon scheme.

Cr Levett said he did not favour the Shannon scheme.

Cr Speirs here suggested that the Council should go into committee, but other Councillors did not see that this was necessary.

Cr Ross said that the Councillors all knew that they could not go to Levin for water and he did not see, therefore, that it was any use asking for their bedrock price, and then telling them the same as they would now —that the scheme was beyond the Council’s reach.

Cr Levett moved as an amendment that this Council regrets that the cost of bringing water from Levin is too great for consideration. This was seconded by Cr Speirs and carried, the voting being. For the amendment, Crs Levett, Speirs, Coley, Ross and Rimmer ; against, the Mayor and Crs Gibbs, Stewart and Robinson.