FOXTON-SHANNON WATER SUPPLY.
THE SOURCE OF SUPPLY. THE COUNCIL INSPECTS THE LOCALITY. As we have previously mentioned, the present Council have decided to settle the water and drainage question once and for all — at least so far as their term of office is concerned. They do not intend to leave any loophole for dodging the issue and will again, at the proper time, submit alternate schemes to the ratepayers based on authentic data. The schemes will be submitted to the ratepayers on their merits. The Councillors are approaching the question with open minds. Full details of the artesian scheme are already in the Council’s possession. The Shannon scheme is now under consideration. A conference was arranged between Shannon citizens, members of the Horowhenua County Council and the local Borough Counc’l in respect to the Shannon scheme. In this respect Shannon is desirous of combining with Foxton. The date of the conference, and to visit the source of supply, was fixed for yesterday. A preliminary meeting of the Council was held yesterday morning, and it was decided to proceed to Shannon per motor cars kindly placed at the disposal of the Council by the Mayor, Crs Gibbs and Greig. The party consisted his Worship the Mayor (G. H. Stiles, Esq.), Crs, Dr. Adams, G. Coley, Gibbs, Greig, Chrystall, Rimmer, and Carter and a press representative. Crs. Stewart and Speirs were unable to make the trip. The party were met at Shannon by Crs. Venn and Stephenson, of the Horowhenua County Council, the County engineer, Mr Malcolm and Messrs Gunning, H. Wells, and Monyhan. The combined forces then proceeded towards the bills, about three and a-half miles to the east of the township. Leaving the vehicles the party walked on foot up the gorge down which flows the Otauro torrent, which is the proposed source of supply. The party proceeded along a road which was made years ago by the old Road Board in order to give access to Mr Yule’s property through the gorge. Slips and fallen trees have now made the road impassible except for foot traffic. They wended their way between avenues of beautiful tree ferns and other native shrubs. The track is some places is so narrow that a false step would precipitate the traveller down the gorge—and possibly to eternity. (Ratepayers are not aware what risks their representatives are sometimes called upon to take for the future welfare of the town!) We must not gnimadvert on the beautiful scenery and virgin forest, all oi which was much admired by the Councillors. A halt was made at a spot in the gorge where a little torrent, the Mangaore, empties itself into the Otauro. This was suggested as one of the spots for the intake. The narrow walls of the cliff through which the waters flow would present no difficulties for damming purposes and the precipitous and virgin forest-clad cliffs would prevent stock from getting at or polluting the water and thereby reducing the cost of an extensive catchment area at this locality to a minimumThe altitude is about 148 ft above Shannon. The stream was followed up higher for nearly a mile to comparatively more open country, where the Tutuamaire enters the Otauro, There is a greater fall here which would give an increased pressure. This locality is distant about four and a-half miles from Shannon and about a mile from the lower spot previously indicated. There is a great volume of pure water which should serve a population of anything up to 50,000 people. The engineer said that the reservoir and settling tank could be combined. He suggested that theiwater should not be taken along the road route to Foxton, but in as straight a line as possible, thus shortening the distance by several miles. Easements could be granted to property owners and the pipes could be bracketed on to the bridge. Making allowance for distance, there would be ample pressure in Foxton. The. Shannon delegates did not think that there would be any hitch in a combined scheme so far as they were concerned. They would do all in their power to meet Foxton in the matter, A water scheme was badly needed in Shannon. At present they are dependent upon a tank supply and a few wells. Of course they have the creek handy. It was estimated that there would be a pressure of about 76 to the square inch. The engineer did not speak favourably of a large catchment area —there was no necessity for it. The land in the vicinity is owned privately on the western side of the creek and the Shannon Timber Co. own that on the eastern side. The land is valued at from £2 to £3 per acre. The local Councillors obtained other information which will be published at a later stage. The Mayor and Councillors are now familiar with the suggested source of supply and vs hen the matter is under discussion, will be able to speak with authority. The outing was not only educative but enjoyable. The Councillors arrived hack in Foxton at about 4.30 p,m.
Cr Stephenson at the Mayor’s •suggestion will convene a meeting of Shannon residents to further discuss the question at an early <kte.
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1003, 10 June 1911, Page 3
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871FOXTON-SHANNON WATER SUPPLY. Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1003, 10 June 1911, Page 3
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