SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1078, 3 August 1912, Page 3

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING.

FIRE PREVENTION, WATER ETC. NOTHING DEFINITE DECIDED. A special meeting of the Borough Council was held last night to consider Air Barnard’s report on the question of providing some means of fire prevention. The following report from Air Barnard was read ; “ I have the honour in accordance with a request from your Council, to submit to you my report on the proposed fire prevention fcr your Borough (business portion only). Next to a highpressure system, 1 would recommend that a line of six cast iron mains be laid through the Alain Street as far as the Town , Hall, fitted with fire hydrauts at no greater distance apart than 2>4 chains, and supplied by a pumping plant on the river bank or over the drain next to the Borough Council offices —the latter site for preference providing sufficient water can be supplied to your slur .ge tank for pumping purposes. For this purpose you may be able to draiu the waste from some of your artesian wells into the drain mentioned. My reason for recommending the latter site is that it is in the Alain Street and could also be used for the storage of your lire brigade plant. Or a manual engine might be used, in which case it would be necessary to have a series of pumps lor a supply of water tor pumping purposes. As requested by you to report on a chemical engine, I beg to state that although chemicals do good work, they are not capable of dealing with serious work. In conclusion, should your Council desire any further information, I will be only too pleased to supply same.”

Cr Richmuud said that if the scheme suggested by Mr Barnard was adopted the cost of same should be borne by the ratepayers in Main Street. He was of opinion that the time was opportune to put a loan proposal for a water and drainage scheme before the ratepayers, and if this were done he felt sure they would sanction it. He urged that a meeting of ratepayers be convened to discuss the question, and moved that the following schemes be put before the ratepayers immediately for their consideration : —(1) The Main Street Fire Prevention scheme, (2) The artesian scheme, and (3) The Shannon scheme ; also that a water area be made for the different schemes.

Cr Whibley seconded the motion. He considered Mr Barnard’s scheme was a red herring across the scent of the main scheme. He favoured putting the whole of the ‘schemes before the ratepayers, as there would not then be a recurrence of the trouble encountered in connection with the last water supply poll, when a number of ratepayers stated that they opposed it on the ground that the Shannon scheme was the most suitable for Foxtou. Give the ratepayers a chance of saying which they wanted, and if this was done ne was of opinion the artesian scheme would be favoured. Cr Stewart considered there was only one feasible scheme for fire prevention for Foxtou and that was the sinking of sumps in the Main Street. Any other scheme would be thrown out by the ratepayers.

Cr Adams said he would only support Hi j artesian scheme, which he considered was the best.

Cr Gibbs was opposed to the Shannon scheme, but lavoured the artesian one provided that it was not put betore the ratepayers until the gas works were a paying concern. Was not opposed to Mr Barnard’s scheme it the cost of same was to be borne by those who would reap the benefit—the Main Street ratepayers. The Mayor considered that if it was the desire of the mover to kill the water scheme he could not go about it in a better way than to put a loan proposal before the ratepayers at the present time. It would be certain to be thrown out. The right time to put the proposal would be when it was not necessary to collect the gas rate. In connection with Mr Barnard’s scheme he did not think that the Main Street ratepayers should bear the whole cost. It was proposed to put down six inch mains and these could be used when a water scheme was installed, therelore the other ratepayers should contribute towards the cost. Further, the Council had material interests in Main Street and this fact should not be overlooked.

The motion, on being put, was lost.

Cr Adams then moved, and Cr Gibbs seconded, that this Council is of the opinion that an artesian water supply with lerro-concrete tower, etc., is the only suitable fire preventive scheme, providing at the same time a water supply for the town ; and that the time is now opportune tor this scheme

being placed before the ratepayers for their consideration. The mover said he felt he would like to see the gas works pay be fore going before the ratepayers with another loan, but be did not see that they would reap any great advantage by waiting another three or four years. He thought the ratepayers s hould now be given an oppon unity of voting on the question. He was not opposed to those in the centre of the town voting on their own for a scheme of their own.

Cr Gibbs said although be favoured an artesian scheme he did not think the time was quite opportune for putting it before the ratepayers. In connection wuh Mr Barnard’s scheme, he was inclined to the opinion that if the Main Street people had a small scheme they would be likely to oppose the larger scheme when it was put before them. Cr Adams said to put the proposal forward would be giving the ratepayers anotber chance, and he had a feeling that it would be carried.

The .Mayor said he would be sorry to see it carried now. Cr Stewart considered the time was absolutely inopportune.

Cr Richmond said he would support the artesian scheme, as it was only right that the ratepayers should have au opportunity of voting on it. The Mayor agreed that the artesian scheme was the most suitable one, but the time was inopportuue tor again bringing it forward. He thought it would be a good idea to get an estimate of the cost of Air Barnard’s scheme.

The motion was then put and lost. A further motion was afterwards moved by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Adams, and carried, that a circular letter be written to all ratepayers in Main Street, asking it they would be willing to support a fire scheme in which they would bear the rate on such loau.