OTAKI’S WATER SERVICE.

Otaki Mail, 3 May 1922, Page 3

OTAKI’S WATER SERVICE.

SLIGHT HITCH IN PRELIMINARIES.

The Otaki Borough Council find that J • a delay must take place in the erection | of the concrete water tank, to be erect- ( ed in connection with the high-pres-sure scheme. Some time ago the Coun- ; cil interviewed Mr Nicol re placing the r ' tank on his property, and an interview was arranged with the Alayor and Cr. Ivilsby (chairman of the water works) and the engineer to discuss preliminaries. At that time Air Nicol was under the impression that his boundary ran - ‘O approximately along the course of the j ® j stream, and stated that to run his land o profitably he would require to build a d j sheep dip above the Council’s-intake. s i It was agreed that a survey should lie y made, after which a valuator should t be appointed by each side. The survey • > revealed the fact that the up stream 0 j was (with a small exception) on Air j 5 j Blair’s property, and if the Council | ■ I bought any bush it must be Air Blair’s. 1 i It would be very advantageous to take i • 1 Air Nicol’s bush of 1340 acres, but the capital outlay of. this large area, tege- ' i ther with possibly 500 acres belonging 1 ■ j to Mr Blair, would be too ambitious 1 for Otaki. The Council, at. its last I meeting, decided not to proceed at pre■f sent with the purchase of Air Nicol’s i land. On being informed the owner stated if the'bush was not purchased ! he would require to build the sheep dip j a? previously indicated. A further in- j terview was arranged on Alay 1 be--1 tween Air Nicol and son and the Alayor, Cr. Kilsby, Engineer and contractor. Mr Nicol wished tho Council to take the land under the Public Works. This takes at least six weeks and the Council, in view of the "out of work’’ in the town*wauted to start immediately. The Council’s representatives pointed out that if he would give permission to stnrt immediately an undertaking would bo given that his claim for full compensation would not be prejudiced in any way. The Mayor further suggested that the Council build a sheep dip at a lower point, and place the tank under ground so that, when finished, no part of his land would be l occupied, though the Council would purchase about a quarter acre and secure an easement over the short length of concrete pipe lino between the tank J and intake. For this Air Nicol asked at first £700; but agreed later to ac- h cept £SOO. His argument was that the 1 whole of the back country was depreciated in value by the installation of the Council’s water works, and further that the Council could get water higher up the stream. The Council’s representatives, however, could not agree to pay £SOO for this concession nnd decided to take the course suggested by Air Nicol. The necessary legal notice will 1 bo served on Air Nicol’s solicitor of the Council’s intention to take this land under the Public Works, but as previously stated the works cannot £ bo commenced for approximately two jr months. s) Mr Grayling, the contractor, arrived in Otaki last Sunday for the purpose of making an immediate start. He also signified his intention to use tho suitable local labor, excepting an ex- p, perienced foreman which he would bring with him. Air Grayling recog- q nisod the Council’s difficulty and agreed to postpone the start until ft lator date —an act that will be nppre- _ ciated by the Council.