WATER WANTED.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 219, 12 January 1928, Page 1

WATER WANTED.

RATEPAYERS’ REQUEST. Inquiries To Be Made. At Monday’s meeting of the Putaruru Town Board a deputation consisting of Mes’sis. R. T. Smith, W. J. Miller and J. Francis waited on the board with a request that a scheme for supplying the town with water be proceeded with. Mr. Smith stated that the deputation represented many ratepayers who were greatly concerned about the shortage of water within the town cl.strict. It was a very serious matter to them from a business and a private point of view, and if the board had no proposals in the matter they would have to put in bores. If the board was prepared to go on with a scheme at an early date it would save many ratepayers big expense. Mr. Miller urged that before the present loan money was spent a water scheme should be gone on with if possible to avoid tearing up new footpaths. He himself was not yet stuck for water but he would much prefer having an ample supply. The expense would not be great and the town was lucky to have water so handy.

Mr. Francis said the matter was an essential and urgent one as nearly everyone was short of water. He considered it was a disgrace that a town of the size of Putaruru should not have ample supplies of. water. There would of course be grumblers, but he was convinced that the big majority of ratepayers would support a water scheme. In reply the chairman pointed out that the present drought was responsible for the change of opinion of many, and he agreed that a poll on the matter would be carried at the moment. Tl±e board was not unanimous on the idea, and though the matter had been discussed it had been dropped for various reasons. He promised, however, that the board would go into the matter thoroughly at an early date and bring down a report. He was pleased the deputation had come along as it showed the growth of a healthy civic spirit.

Later in the evening the board discussed the matter in detail.

Mr. Tomalin remarked that he opposed the idea not because he did not consider water essential but because he thought the time was hardly ripe for such a scheme. The trouble was that if water was provided sewage would come also, and to go for both would be financial suicide. The hoard would then be in as big a mess as other towns.

Mr. Neal urged that mineral water was more beneficial than rain water, which caused much sickness through the state of the tanks. It also affected people’s teeth. Mr. Tomalin : I was brought up on rain water and the dentist told me the other day he’d never make anything out of me. (Laughter.) What they want is plenty of hard work and not too much grub. (Loud laughter.) Mr. Lindsay pointed out that a proper water scheme could be laid on without sewage, and he believed L would not cost as much as people thought. It would also result m a lowering of fire insurance piemiums and would induce settlement. Mr. Tomalin : It might also drive them away if the rates are too high. (Laughter.) .... , The chairman held that they should view the matter as a board of directors would view their business and see whether they could afford it. Until they knew the cost everyone was in the dark. He felt

they must get a detailed report if they were to do their duty by ratepayers, and then when they knew the cost it would be time enough to vote against the proposal. Mr. Tomalin : Yes, I won’t oppose that. In any case it will have to go before the ratepayers. I agree with the chairman that it is a question as to whether we can afford itMr. Neal then gave figures relating to the capacity of rams, stating that a tin drive would deliver 3000 gallons daily through a 2in pipe 250 fc-et up. His figures were based on Old Country ones and allowed for 10 gallons per head. Several members stated that at least 50 gallons per head should be allowed for. Mr. Tomalin : Yes, and perhaps more than that. If we are going to do it we should do it properly. The chairman pointed out that it would be folly to bring forward a scheme which did not allow for industrial uses and for an absolute minimum of 10 years’ growth of the town. Water could be supplied through meters. Mr. Tomalin : Now I agree to that. We should charge them according to the water they use. It is not fair to load unimproved land with all the water rate. Mr. Lindsay : They would pay half if it passes their property. Mr. McDermott favoured obtaining a report, and pointed out that based on Mr. Tomalin’s farm costs £6O per year would cover charges for power. Tanks were not satisfactory and he himself had no room for more. Mr. Neal urged the necessity of inspecting the Overdale district to see if it was possible to get a gravitation scheme. The board decided to get a detailed report from Mr. Fitzgerald on the matter as early as possible and to have samples of water analysed.