MARTON RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9390, 9 March 1909, Page 5

MARTON RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

WATER SUPPLY DISCUSSED. A meeting of the above was held lass evening at the Rangitikei County Council Chambers, Mr J. Mathers presiding, a fair number being present. The Chairman said that the meeting was called to hear the Executive Committee s report on the water works area which had been visited last Wednesday. Mr Still had conducted them over the so-called catchment area, and it was found to be very badly overgrown with various kinds of shrubs, and that when all these *were cleared away a much greater quantity of water should find its way into the reservoir, Mr Still had also shown them over the site of a possible new reservoir close adjoining the present one, The Chairman then called on Mr Still to explain to the meeting what he had told and shown the Committee last Wednesday. Mr Still stated that bis original idea was that another stream might be deviated so as to flow into the reservoir, but on going over the ground he found that it was not nossibie. He took the Committee over a valley which it was possible to dam up and thus obtain a larger supply of water at greater pressure for the town.

Mr Gomez stated that the catchment area for this dam was very great, extending as it did right back to Fern Flats road. As regards distance from town it would only require 10 to 12 chains of new pipes, and from its situation the elbow in the present main would be done away with and this would increase the pressure greatly. The drainage into the/ proposed dam from Maunder’s was little and could be easily stopped. Personally he was against anything new until the present dam was made able to hold more water so as to supply our immediate needs. Mr Still thought that it was impossible to fill the present reservoir and said that the scrub felling and clearing would make very little difference and that the water would go out as quick as it would come in.

Mr Wilson moved the following resolution :—“That the Council be respectively requested to, as far as possible, utilise the present catchment, reservoir and works by putting a 12 inch main through the dam, and if competently advised, to raise the present dam.” He quoted an authority which stated that in the city of 'London the daily requirements taken at an average were 27 gallons per inhabitant per day, and be was safe in taking 30 gallons per inhabitant per day for Marton. If the population (including the Junction) was, say 2000, the total yearly requirement was 21,900,000 gallons or taking what the Railway used 25.550.000 gallons per year. The total acreage of the Reservoir reserve was 72 acres of which therewere 60 acres above the lower dam and which with about 50 acres outside the reserve made say 110 acres of catchment area feeding the dam. By the rainfall last year, about 29 inches, he computed that about 67.851.000 gallons fell on this area in the 12 months, which taking evaporation and absorption at 50 per cent, left 83,925,00 gallons to be dealt with. This certainly seemed enough to supply all wants but it must be remembered that the reservoir held 11,000,000 gallon. He reckoned that Mr Still’s plan was quite feasible but he wanted to know if it was right after spending about £11,356 on the present waterworks that this amount should be prapticaaly thrown away, and more spent on a different place. Why not utilise the present dam? Mr Wilson mentioned that if they wanted water for drinking purposes no matter where it was obtained it would have to go through costly filters to make it drinkable. As for a supply from Galpiu’s it would give a pressure of 1501bs against the preent pressure of 451bs but they must take into consideration that 1501bs pressure meant the bursting of every main and tap in Marton. He said that the present head of water was 95 feet above the White Hart Hotel corner level. Another reservoir at the same level would not give any greater pressure. When the present mains were put down they threw a jet of water right over the White Han and did so because the pipes were clean and now the mains, chiefly through being badly laid, weie choked up with rubbish, and were probably jonly 2 inches in aperture. A larger main was undoubtedly required. He thought it a good scheme to raise the present dam and put a 12 inch pipe through the dam, and the present was a splendid opportunity to do this as the dam was empty. Archdeacon Towgood asked for the probable cost of putting this pipe through the dam, and was told that £2O would cover it, but it required men who understood such matters to do it properly. Touching a purer supply Mr Wilson said that the reservoir water on analysis was purer this year than ever before. The water was dirty chiefly because the supply was taken from the bottom instead if from near the surface. Every reservoir he knew had a floating arm, and he suggested that such an apparatus should be provided at Marton, and then there would not bo so many complaints about dirty water. The motion proposed by Mr Wilson was seconded by Mr T. Armstrong. In the discussion that followed, Or. Hilton said be had worked hard to get a 13 inch main put in and a floating arm also, and that when he was elected Councillor he went and had a look at the reservoir, and at the first opportunity tie drew the Council’s attention to the disgraceful state of the reserve. He was not in favour of raising the dam till it was found out that the present reservoir could be filled. Mr Mogridge suggested that the Council be urged to take up the old main and lay new pipes of larger calibre, but it was explained that if the 12 inch pipe Was put in the dam, the mains were sure to be enlarged by the Council. On the Chairman putting the motion to the meeting it was carried only one dissenting. The following new members were elected Archdeacon Towgood, Geo. Edwards, D. Ingle, J. Stiil and E. Amer. It was mentioned that no steps had been taken about the election of Council. Mr Armstrong proposed and Mr Snellgrove seconded, “That the Sec refeary obtain a copy of the Burgess Roll and the Executive Committee go through the same and select suitable candidates to stand at the next election, and submit the same .at

the next meeting.” carried unanimously. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the chair and to the County Council for use of the room.