The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, June 28, 1910. WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 858, 28 June 1910, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, June 28, 1910. WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Elsewhere in this issue is published an interview with the Mayor of Levin in respect to the refusal of the Foxton Borough Council to become a customer to Levin for its water. Mr Gardener based the quantity of water likely to be taken by Foxton on an estimate other than that supplied by Engineer Climie and did not take into consideration the question of drainage. He argued that it would be many years before Foxton would require twenty million gallons per annum. Foxton Borough Council says that twenty-seven million gallons would be required straight away. We argree with Mayor Gardener that the latter amount is over-esti-mated, and also that the Levin authorities would be prepared to reduce the cost of supply below sixpence per thousand gallons. We are also prepared to admit that the purity of the water is beyond doubt. Further, that Levin will deal in a very generous manner in order to meet us. Taking these, and other minor favourable points into consideration, we do not think Foxton would be justified in adopting the scheme. Neither do we think anything will come of the Shannon scheme. Foxton will have to look nearer home for its source of supply —either from artesian bores or from the Mana--1 watu River. Had the ratepayers been properly educated prior to the poll for a loau to adopt the former scheme we venture to say that it would have been carried, But the matter was taken up in a half-hearted manner by those who are expected to show the way, backed up by those who would oppose anything for the advancement of the town if it means a small increase in rates. The data secured, however, is valuable for reference and it would be money well spent if the Council proceeded witb. the estimate for the Shannon scheme, and also obtained expert opinion in reference to the water from the Manawatu. All the sources of supply would then be exhausted, and the question could be again submitted to the ratepayers and a final decision arrived at. With this end in view there would be no harm in ascertaining Levin’s bedrock price for tapping its supply.