ALEXANDRA WATER SUPPLY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 29 January 1908, Page 35

ALEXANDRA WATER SUPPLY.

(From Otf* Ow Correspondent.)

ALEXANDRA, January 24. One of the most' enthusiastic ' meeting* ' held here for some time took place last evening, when the ratepayers of the borough were called together discus* the advisability of dealing with the -watei rights recently purchased from Lye Bow. The right is out at Butcher's Gully, and consists of two heads, for which the borough paid £500. The water question has been an all-important one in Alexandra for a number of years. Although fully £8000 has been spent on bringing in water for the borough, the supply is x practically of no value. Taking a broad view of the question, the council acted wisely in purchasing the right at Butcher's Gully. At the meeting last night the v Mayor (Mr H. Schaumann) presided, and at considerable length detailed the scheme thai was proposed for the purpose of bringing water from the new right into . the borough.

A report -was read from a competent man/ who estimated that the ~ water could be brought to a dam about half a mile from the town and run into the dnm at)-a-cost of about £550. The cost of laying on the water from the dam. to the mains in. . the town is estimated at about £250, and wiih another £200 the present pipe line could be shifted and transferred to a new line

Aft«r the matter had been fully disV cussed and numerous questions anent the new scheme answered, Mr William Fraser moyed — " That this meeting of ratepayers heartily approve of the action of the court- . cil in. purchasinng'Lye Bow*s water right,' and that the council •be Authorised to hare ( a poll of ratepayers taken with a/ view toborrowing a Sum up to £1200' 'from 'the* Government for the completing of the'newi ( scheme.", . The speaker said that as one t of the largest ratepayers in the Dorough he appreciated the- efforts of the Mayor and the council in their desire to have a good 9upply of water for the borough. The motion was seconded by Mr George Spencer, another large ratepayer, who said he considered the right the best in the district.

An amendment against the scheme wa9 proposed and seconded, but only five persons voted for ' it, and "the motion was carried by a substantial majority. Cheers were stfveji for the Mayor at the conclusion of the meeting.