WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2170, 31 August 1920, Page 3

WATER AND DRAINAGE.

DISCUSSED BY CHAMBER OE COMMERCE.

PROPOSALS UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED.

At last night’s meeting of the Chamber of Commerce a good deal of lime was devoted to a discussion on (he proposed water and drainage scheme for the borough, which received the heartv and unanimous

support of the Chamber. The president (Mr J. M. Burr) said that the Chamber stood pledged to support all movements which would make for the progress of Eoxlon, and if any scheme deserved their wholehearted support it was that of wat.er and drainage. Looking hack over the past three or four years, one could trace a gradual increase of interest taken by residents in the welfare of the town and district. He urged the Chamber to evolve some scheme whereby members would he able (o do something in the direction of assisting to get the poll carried. Personally, he was prepared to do all he possibly could in this direction, as ho was certain that the installation of a water and drainage scheme will-he an absolute boon to the town,' and if the poll was carried lie felt sure that the next live or ten’ years wotfld see a rate of progress in the borough never seen before.

The Mayor (Mr •!. Chryslall) said that the majority of the Councillors were hearty supporters of (he scheme, and at a public meeting convened to consider same those present pledged themselves to support the project. He said that a number of ratepayers, who were opposed to (he scheme, were using as an argument against it that: the present was not an opportune time to go on Avilh il, owing G> the very high cost of materials. Mr Chryslall said Inal whilst.he agreed that materials were high at present, on the other hand money was cheap, and the extra cost in material would lie more than counterbalanced by (he saving in interest over the period of (he loan. If the-loan was carried next week, they would he able lo take advantage of tlie Stale Advances Act, and get the necessary money at £4 It's Od per cent, plus £1 12s Gd per cent. Milking fund, and (his would mean a very great saving to the ratepayers.

Mr Christie said that what probably would influence a number of ratepayers iu the Avay they easl (heir vole was the question of the cost of connections. It had lieen said that a 40ft. connection would cost £4O, hut he had been informed hv people iu the trade that a connection of this length could he made for £25. As far as the linn which he represented was concerned, the\ were hearty supporters of the project.

Mr I’elrie said that there were eleven ratepayers in I’nrcell Si reel who were going to vole against the proposal because they were outsidethe area proposed fo lie reticulated, and considered they would not gel ativ direct benefit. He asked it the rertieulaied area could he extended at a later dale. Mr Chryslall said that provision had been made for the water supply lo he provided tor residents in Purcell Street, hut not drainage. The‘reticulated area would he extended later, as the necessity arose.

Mr Petrie said there were a number of residents in the borough who were doing all they could to detent llie proposal. They had followed the same coiirse at previous polls, and had been sueeessfnl, and one 'man had been iputo definite in his statement to him that “the poll would not heearried,” to which Mr I’elide said he replied that if people took any notice of old fossils like him it certainly would not be curried. The Chamber must do all in its power to convince the people that the scheme will ho a great benefit to the borough. Mr McMurray suggested the borough should he divided into six divisions, and committees set up t<> canvass ratepayers and ascertain what support the proposal was likely to receive, to prepare a list of (hose favourable to the scheme, and to see that these voters were brought to the poll. Mr Perrcau said that as the question of water and drainage was one of the first that had been discussed by the Chamber when formed, and had been unanimously supported, it was now the duly of members to do all in their power to assist in getting the hmn carried. Air Daniell asked if the Conned had made any provision for assisting ratepayers in making their conneetmns. Had money lor this purpose been included in the loan. The Mayor said that it was the intention of the Council to advance to ratepayers who needed it the cost of connections, same to ho repaid by instalments spread over a period of years. This money had not been included in the present loan, a> it was not known how much would be required for this purpose. If the proposal was carried, however, and as soon.- as the amount necessary was ascertained, a loan for this purpose would be raised. Ratepayers could rest assured that there would he no difficulty in this connection.

Dr. Maudl -said that .speaking from u health point of view the installation of a water anil drainage selreme was an absolute necessity. Allhough Foxtou, from the nature of its soil and the climate, was a fairly healthy locality, it had more than its share of minor epidemics. The residents were really never free (rum throat troubles, which were nearly always due to agc. From a health point of view he could not too strongly impress upon

'ratepayers the necessity of a water ami drajnage scheme. With an up-to-date scheme installed, Eoxlon should become a very popular residential centre, (and lie urged ratepayers to ■'support the loan and assist to make our town what il should l>e. Mr Mo orb on sc said that the present poll was the result of a request, made by the Chamber to the Borough Council that ratepayers should be given an opportunity of voting on (his question, and under the circumstances members should do. all possible to assist in getting the poll carried.

Mr Aic.Murray’s suggestion was acted upon, and six committees, consisting of three members each, were set up to work the areas.