WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1185, 16 December 1913, Page 2

WATER AND DRAINAGE.

THE SHANNON SCHEME. The special meetiug of the Borough Council held last night was mainly called for the purpose of considering the water and drainage schemes submitted by Mr Cheuery Suggate. Two schemes were submitted, the first for a gravitation supply from the Shannon hills, and the second for au artesian supply, raised to a tower by means of air lilt. As an artesian scheme has already been rejected by the ratepayers and as the one submitted by Mr Suggate was, with the exception ot the air lift, practically the same as the one previously submitted to the ratepayers, the Mayor suggested last night that consideration at present should be limited to the Shannon scheme.

The suggested source is situated in the hills on the Palmerston side of Shannon, the distance from the township being 4$ miles, the total distance from the source to Foxtou being 16 2-3 miles. The suggested route of the pipes from Shannon being along Shannon East road, across the bridge and thence along the main road. For the first 4 y% miles gin. pipes are suggested, and for the balance Sin. pipes. The estimated cost of the water scheme is .£23,932, including engineering expenses, and of the sevvarage system ,£7,728, making a total of ,£31,660. In the event of Shannon combining with Foxtou iu the cost of the dam at the source of supply, and mains to Shannon, Foxtou’s outlay would be reduced by from ,£2,500 to ,£3,000. The Mayor said they were all pleased to at last have a reliable report on a scheme from the Shannon hills. It had often been said that a Shannon scheme was quite out of Boston's reach, but the report before them showed that such was not the case. The total cost of the water scheme was between ,£23,000 and £"24,000, with a possibility of this being reduced to £21,000 if Shannon would combine with them as far as the cost of the dam and mains to Shannon were concerned. He considered that in this scheme the Council had something which they could with confidence place before the ratepayers. The cost would not be a very great burden when the benefits were taken into consideration. The total distance from the source of supply to Foxtou was 16 2-3 miles, but a mile or so could be saved fay bringing the pipes iu a straight line from the Shannon bridge to Elkins’ Corner, The estimated cost of upkeep was 30s per week.

The area suggested to be reticulated he considered was a full one. and could not well be improved upon. One matter for careful consideration was the kind of pipes to be used—cast iron or spiral. He was strongly in favour of, it possible, combining with Shannon in the cost of dam and mains to Shannon, and in this connection suggested that himself and auy of the councillors who desired to go should hold a public meeting at Shannon and put the whole position before the people there, and see what they were prepared to do. It was their duty to reduce the cost to the ratepayers at much as possible. Cr Chrystall said that it was only fair to get the proposal before the ratepayers as early as possible. It was early at present to say whether he could give his wholehearted support to the proposal; that depended on conditions. He favoured going on with the Shannon scheme only as the ratepayers had already said they didn’t want an artesian scheme, and further, many influential residents had asked that a Shannon scheme should be placed before the ratepayers. The suggested reticulation area was considered and approved.

Discussion in reference to the financial side of the scheme —rates, revenue, etc. —was held over for a future meeting, the Mayor pointing out that at present it was not known ou what system—capital, unimproved, or annual values —it would be uecessary to rate. An amendment in this connection was before the House this week, aud until they knew what had been done, they could not go into the matter.