WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1055, 11 June 1912, Page 3

WATER AND DRAINAGE.

FURTHER DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL.

THE SHANNON SCHEME

At last night's Council meeting the Mayor moved that this Council get into communication with the Shannon members of the Horowhenua County Council lor the purpose of arranging a meeting lo discuss taking joint action in getting a report ou a water and drainage scheme for Foxton and Shannon.

I In speaking to the motion the Mayor expressed regret in connection with the recent conflagration in Main Street, but said that this fire had again shown the necessity of making some provision for a water supply. It must be remembered, however, it had its duty in submitting a proposal for both water and drainage, which was rejected by the ratepayers. He considered it was now the duty of the Council to get an estimate for a water supply from Shannon. In the interests of property in the congested areas and of the residenLs as a whole it was necessary that something should be done. The previous proposal was for a scheme to cost ,£20,000, but he felt sure all those who visited Shanuou would agree that it would be impossible to get it from there under ,£35,000, but as this was the other source of supply outside of artesian water the Council should get an estimate of the cost and could then finally decide which proposal they would adopt. Tne object of the motion moved by him was to get the delegates together and agree to have a report and estimate prepared, the cost of same to be equally divided between the Horowhenua County and Foxtou Borough Councils. If the ratepayers, would not sanction a water and drainage scheme it was at least the duty of the Council to provide some supply tor dealing with fires and also to inauguarate a lire brigade. Cr Richmond, in seconding the motion, said he was in Shanuou recently, and was asked by a number of citizens there why the Foxton people had backed out when the scheme had been mooted previously. He was of the opinion that the Shannon scheme was the best one for Foxton to go in for. If it were decided to go in for a supply lor fire prevention only, they could ouly provide for part of the borough. Cr Coley considered it was “chucking money away” to get an estimate for a supply from Shannon. The rates at the present time were as much as the ratepayers could bear, and they couldn’t afford to go in for the scheme proposed. Ci Auams was inclined to agree that it would be money wasted to g. ae estimate as he did not think Ihe ratepayers would sanctum a ,£40,000 loan. However, he would not oppose the motion. Cr Chrystall considered the least the Council could do would be to gel a report, but a loan ot ,£40,000 tor this purpose was indeed a very big thing for such a small borough. He was of opinion that the previous loan would have been carried had the rating been ou an equitable basis. What was required was a scheme tor rating where a person would pay proportionate taxation for the benefits received.

Cr Greig supported the resolution oq the understanding that uo great. was to he expended, but at the same time he thought the ratepayers had rejected the ouly scheme within their means. The Shannon scheme was out of the question, The trouble in Foxton was that on account of a large portion ot the borough being of necessity used for grazing purposes, and as such was at present heavily rated, it meant that ouly a part of the town would get the benefit of a water and drainage scheme. The only feasible scheme was the one rejected. If it were decided to go in for a supply for fire purposes only the ratepayers to be benefitted should be the ones rated.

The Mayor, in replying, said he was not advocating the scheme because he thought the ratepayers could afford it. He didn’t think they could. The reason why the other proposal was rejected by the ratepayers was because a number of people said the Shannon scheme was most suitable for the borough, and that the Council should have got all the information possible before submitting a scheme. He felt sure that the borough couldn’t afford to borrow ,£35,000 or ,£40,000 for this purpose, but it was their duty to put this—the only other scheme —forward. When they got the report they could decide which was the best scheme. If the ratepayers would not sanction water and drainage, then the Council would have to make some provision for dealing with outbreaks of fire. The motion was carried.