WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1127, 31 July 1913, Page 2

WATER AND DRAINAGE.

THE SHANNON SCHEME

REPORT TO BE OBTAINED

A special meeting of the Foxton Borough Council was held in the Council Chamber last night, to discuss matters in connection with the proposed water and drainage scheme. There were present: His Worship the Mayor (G. H. Stiles Esq.), and Crs. Coley, Whibley, Green, Freeman, Read, Henderson, Barber and Chrystall.

The Mayor moved and Cr Coley seconded, that the Council take immediate steps to obtain an estimate' and plan of a water scheme from Shannon hills, such report to include the cost of catchment area and all necessary work at the Shannon end, together with the cost of reticulating the borough for water and drainage separately, such estimate to be based on the plan ot reticulation supplied by Mr Climie and the engineers to be named by the Council be asked their fee tor furnishing such estimate. The report to include the probable annual revenue of the separate schemes after careful inspection of the borough. In moving the motion the Mayor said that the Council already, had a report and estimate in connection with an artesian scheme and he thought that most Councillors agreed that it would not be wise to again place the scheme in question before the ratepayers without first obtaining a report on the Shannon scheme. It, did not follow because they got an estimate of the Shannon scheme that they would necessarily go on with it, but it was certainly advisable to get all the information possible and then place the best scheme before the ratepayers. The argument had been used that the Shannon scheme was too big an undertaking for Foxton, but none could definitely say this until an engineer’s report had been obtained, and as a large number of ratepayers had asked for the Shannon scheme he did not think it would be wise to again put a proposal before the ratepayers for an artesian supply without first getting all the information possible as to the cost of the Shannon scheme. There was no doubt that a gravitation scheme was far better than pumping, as the annual upkeep in connection with same would be much smaller. In regard to the engineer to be engaged to furnish the report, his idea was to write to the different engineers and get their price for purchasing same,, and then to pick out whom they considered the best man. Continuing, Mr Stiles said that he had hoped to have been able to supply some figures in connection with Levin’s scheme, but on account of alterations at present being carried out to the Levin Council’s office, the Town Clerk - there was unable to give him the particulars yesterday, but had informed him that the scheme, which was a water supply only, had cost ,£25,000. This price included the purchase of a catchment area of some 700 or 800 acres and the erection of a settling tank. They also had five to seven miles of large mains. They were not collecting any special rate as they found that the water rate itself was sufficient to pay interest and sinking fund. They did not have a drainage system, which struck him as being strange, seeing that good drainage was so necessary and would practically pay for itself. In conclusion, the Mayor said he thought the Council would be doing a right thing in getting a report of a scheme from the Shannon hills and he hoped they would pass the motion so that the matter could be gone on with without any unnecessary delay, Cr Coley considered it was a reasonable thing to get the cost ot a Shannon scheme, as on the last occasion a lot of ratepayers said that both schemes should be considered and that they preferred a gravitation scheme. He asked if it was intended to put both schemes before the ratepayers. The Mayor considered the right thing to do would be for the Council, after fully considering the matter, to pick out what they considered the best scheme and put it before the ratepayers, Cr Henderson asked if ?they had any idea of the cost of a scheme from Shannon. He considered it would be too costly altogether and to consider it at all was simply trying to shelve the question. The Mayor said it was not his wish to shelve it. Cr Henderson said he did not mean that the Mayor wished to shelve it, but he thought that if they waited for the Shannon scheme they would never get water.

Cr Whiblev said be would support the motion, not because he considered they would go in for the Shannon scheme, but so that they would have the two schemes, and could pick out the best one. It would not be money wasted, as on the last occasion on which a poll was taken a number of ratepayers had stated that they would have supported it had it been the Shannon scheme. He knew that some of the ratepayers who talked in this manner had no intention of supporting any scheme, and if on this occasion they had information in connection with both schemes it would stop all talk of that kind. Cr Green said they wanted water, and he would support getting the report. There was no doubt that the Shannon scheme being a gravitation scheme, would be the cheapest in the long run. Cr Read supposed the motion. He considered the cost of the Shannon scheme would be too high, but they should give the ratepayers all the Information possible.

Or Freeman also supported the motion, being strongly in favour of getting the report, and thus doing their duty towards the rate? payers. He was also of opinion that the Shannon scheme would be the cheapest in the end.

Cr Chrystall said he would support the motion, as it did not commit them to anything, but he considered it would be impossible to go on with the Shannon scheme as the cost would be too great. He asked if it was intended to combine with Shannon in the matter of getting a report. Cr Coley: No ! If we go in for a water scheme, let us go on our own.

Continuing, Cr Chrystall said that he thought the last clause in reference to giving an estimate ot the probable revenue should be deleted, as the Town Clerk could furnish all particulars in that connection.

Cr Barber said he would support the motion.

The Mayor, in replying, said he did not think it was advisable to cut out the last clause. It would not cost anything additional. They could also get the Town Clerk to prepare an estimate and compare it with that furnished by the engineer. The motion was then put and carried unanimously.