PUKEKOHE'S LOAN SCHEMES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 201, 18 August 1916, Page 2

PUKEKOHE'S LOAN SCHEMES.

Ratepayers' Meeting,

A well-attended meeting of ratepayers, convened by the Mayor, was held in the Masonic Hall. Pukekohfl, on Tuesday evening for the purpose of giving consideration to the proposed rauing of a loan of £12,000 for water, lighting and roading purposes, as designed by the Borough Council. Th«* Mayor- (Mr H. G. K. Maeon) presided, and was accompanied on the platform by Crs A. B. Barter, J. Patterson and C. Koadley, the Town Clerk (Mr J. F. Deane), Mr E J. Fenn (Consulting Electric it Engineer) and Mr W. Wyatt (Waterworks Engineer).

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Cr Hubbard through illness, from Cr Bilkey through temporary absence from the town, aud from Mr D. W. McArthur (who has advised on the water s heme) owing to pressure of business duties.

The Mayor, at the outset of the proceedings, explained that the meeting had been called with a view of enlightening the ratepayers on all points connected with the proposed loan. It was a long time, he said, since the Council had made a forward move but the schemes now put before the ratepayers tended for progress in a cautious and moderate manner.

At the request of the Mayor, the Town Clerk then read the repoits of Mr Wyatt and Mr Fenn on water and electric lighting as already published in these columns. A COUNCILLOR'S ADVOCACY. Cr Barter, chairman of the Waterworks Committee, stated that he wished to deny a rumour that was in circulation that the water at Hickey's Dam would be liable to contamination and pollution. Mr McArthur had viewed the site and was quite satisfied that by placing a concrete wall around the five springs there and linking them up by one pipe any chance of pollution would be avoided. The capabilities and efficiency of the hydram it was proposed to instal, he said, had also been questioned, and it had been suggested that a hydram and a ram were entirely different contrivances, a hydram being only a recent invention and practically untried. He desired to explain that a hydram and ram were really identical, the name of hydram having simply been patented by its maker. Hydrams, too, were anything but new as they had been in existence 43 years, aud were in free use in England, America and Australia, whilst one had been erected in Masterton and was giving every satisfaction. Cr Barter proceeded to explain that the makers of the hydram had been approached as to its capabilities to raise the amount of water stated in Mr Wyatt's scheme [viz., 50,000 gallons per hour for 24 hours) to a height of 185 ft and their answer was "We are prepared to give you a written guarantee that the ram is capable of the duty if erected in accordance with our instructions." Cr Barter added that Mr McArthur had also forwarded by letter verification as follows : " Hydrams are extentensively used in the ' States,' also in India and England, giving the utmost satisfaction both as to efficiency and cheapness in working; in fact once placed in order their maintenance only amounts to a few shillings per annum. < There are a number working in New Zealand in different places, notably \hat on the Lansdowne Waterworks, which is under the control of the Masterton County Council, which delivers, I understand, 200,000 gallons of water per day and -has given, and is giving, the utmost satisfaction. I would like to impress upon you the fact that very few places, if any, have such 1 a naturally provided source of supply as that available at Pukekohe, where every facility for easy adaptation to the working of a hydram plant has been provided by nature. To proceed with the scheme will result in a pure supply of water beingproduced with a minimum of cost and upkeep." Cr Barter went on to say that a 60ft by 20ft reservoir situated on Boose's Hill would effect a duplication of the waterservice as both the old and new reservoirs would be available for supply. He also, urged that such duplication would result in a reduction of insurance rates. Cr Barter next referred to a suggestion made in the columns of the " Times " that a loan for electric light should have been taken as a separate issue. If such were done, he said, the £SOOO put down for electric light would have been exceeded as unless relieved of the water pumping the engine at the power house would not suffice to generate electricity and more labour would also have to be employed. He believed that the cost of installation of electric light would be about £IO,OOO if quite apart from the water scheme.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING. The Mayor briefly referred to the electric proposals and he emphasised Mr Fenn's view that it was the more economical method to start with a small scheme and then to extend it. His Worship also said that he desired to modify one or two statements contained in the circular he had sent out in support of the loan. Instead of stating therein that King street was in very much the same state as it was before being repaired two years ago he wished to admit that it was not in such a bad condition, and in regard to electric lighting, which he had suggested would be a losing concern instead of profitable if not connected with the water scheme, he should have said it would be a less profitable concern. QUESTIONS. Questions on the schemes were then invited by the Mayor. In reply to Mr J. Coady, Mr Fenn replied that it was his experience in small towns that accumulators were sufficient to supply such motive power as would be in demand in the day- time. Mr J. P. Asher asked if it was not a fact that the Council had not had any analysis made of the water it was proposed to use from the five spring :it Hirkey's Dam, and that ihe analysis on whirh thfl Council relied was tha 1 of the water of one

spring taken six years ago at the the instance of the old Town Board. —The Mayor replied in the affirm* itive, but added that he had no doubts as to the purity of the water, but if the loan was carried and the ratepayers wished it the Council would hare a fresh analysis made.— A suggestion by the Mayor that meeting should signify by a show hands whether there was a desire foH a new analysis to be taken in event of the loan being carried favoured that course being adopted, and His Worship promised that su-jh would be carried out.

In reply to a further question by Mr Asher as to what distance water could be lilted by a hydram, the Mayor stated that the makers would guarantee any distance up to ten miles. He also remarked that a hydram was so adjusted in design a* to meet local conditions, and the makers would not otherwise supply it as if found incapable it would injure their reputation. ' Referriog to the hydram Cr Barter remarked that the makers had already been supplied with particulars of local conditions and had quoted accordingly. Mr Rowe: If the water after being analysed is fouod to be deficient will it do away with the scheme ?

The Mayor: Not necessarily as filtration might overcome the difficulty. ' Asked by Mr Howe whether the sum of £12,000 would be sufficient to cover the cost of the combined schemes, the Mayor said he believed that such would be the case. At the same time, however, they would not be able to thoroughly complete the roads although they would certainly make a change for the better and then again the amount did not include certain items recommended by Mr McArthur, which the Council thought could stand over.

Questioned by Mr R. F. Webster as to tba reason of only extending the proposed bin over a period ot ten years, the Mayor stated that the idea was that another loan conic! then be raised at a cheaper rate of interest than now as the effects ot the war would probably have pasjed away.

SUMMING UP. Cr Koadley, replying to tbe discussion, claimed tbat each oae of the schemes had been carefully considered by the Council and bad been found to be good paying investments. In fact they woold mean tbat a sum of £12,000 woold be spent in Pukekohe within the next two years at no cost to the ratepayers. For instance, a saving of £2OO. per annum would be effected in the upkeep ot King •treet if it was paved as proposed, and the coat of pumping water would also be curtailed He was confident that ths carrying of tbe loan would tnt put any additional burden on ths ratepayers, and the Counoil pledged its word tbat the loan woold even relieve tbe rate* payers of their present butdeo. A voice: "Money tor nothing." In conclusion, be said that tba whole prospects of the advancement of Pnkekobe rested on tbe carrying of tbe loan, which if turned down would entsil an increase in rates. A CUKIOUS FINALE: Mr Perkins expressed bis approval of tbe loan proposal, and congratulated tbe Council on potting forward aucb a good business proposition. Be moved tbat a vote of thanks to tbe sneakers and of confidence in the Council and in tbe loan should be passed. Mr D. K. Hamilton seconded, saying tbat tbe Council deserved great thanks for tbe trouble they bad taken io tbe matter.

By this time many ot those wna bad been present bad departed. A good complement, however, remained but they seemed surprised at the course adopted by Mr Perkins in attaching a motion favouring tbe losn to that ot a vote of thanks to tbe speakers. The consequence was tbat on Mr Perkins calling for a show of hands only four hands were held op in support whilst no one voted to tbe contrary. Mr Perkins' declaration that tbe motion was carried unanimously was received with laughter.