PUBLIC MEETING AT WOODBURY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1146, 1 March 1884, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT WOODBURY.

On Thursday evening last a meeting of the residents of Woodbury wag he'd in the schoolroom for the* purpose of considering the advisability of taking immediate steps towards the construction of a water race in the district. About thirty persons were present.

Mr C. G. Tripp was voted to the chair, who, in opening the meeting, said that those present all knew why it had been called—that they might all understand ns to how water races could be constructed in the district. A member of the Geraldine County Council bad kindly consented to be present that evening, who would explain the whole matter. He knew they were all thankful for his attendance, especially as be came from a long distance. He (the Chairman) hoped that before long they woqld gee water, by means of races, running in all directions, and if they ail pulled well together he was sure they would get what they wanted. He had much pleasure in introducing Mr Talbot to the meeting, who would address them on the subject. Mr Talbot expressed great pleasure at being present tq givp the mating any explanation they might require on so important a matter as the construction of water races, He felt flattered at the remarks of the Chairman in regard to himself, and he would do all he cotdd in favor of the project. He would not say very much at such an early stage of the proceedings. He would explain the course they would hare to adop'b and q,fter that it rested ‘entireiy with themselves to decide if it would be advisable to proceed in the matter in accordance with the law as it at present stood. From whqt he understood from the Secretary to the V/oGdbqry Domain Board, the area to he watered would be about 500 acres. Thai was rather small.

They were aware that in order to go through and curry out such a project by means of the assistance of a public body, (here was any amount of red-tapeism and expense attached thereto. “The County Council’s Amendment Act, 1883,” specially dealt with the question of the construction of wafer races, which was drawn up, he believed, through the suggestions of the Geraldine County Council. The powers therein given for irrigation purposes were simply conferred through the action of the Geraldine County Council, whereby a private Bill was drawn up for their own purposes. The Government took the matter up, considering that the provisions of the intended private Bill could be embodied in a general Act. This was done and the Amended Act was passed. Mr Talbot then read the clauses of this Act bearing specially on the subject of irrigation, commencing at clause 32. He then went on to state that before any loan could be raised for such a purpose as they were assembled that night to consider, a poll must be taken of the ratepayers to ascertain if they would be willing to be taxed for the loan. He would presume that there were 500 acres in the district that could be watered by means of a water race. They could borrow money up to 10s per acre, and thus would have £250, and the Act stated that they could only levy a rate of five farthings in the £ to pay the interest on the loan. He did not know what would be "Hie cost of a race for the district. Be would not say any more at present, but would be willing to reply to any questions that might be put to him. The Chairman hoped those present who were not quite conversant with the subject would ask Mr Talbot any question they might wish, so as to get as full particulars os possible. He might state that he had constructed a small water race in his district two and a quarter miles in length, the width being only fifteen inches and the depth very small. He paid a high price for it at the time, but now he believed it could be done for half the amount. He had employed Mr Marchant, as engineer for the work, who put a pipe ten inches square into the creek at the commencement of the woik. The principal part of the undertaking was the head works. If the residents caused a water race to be constructed they would find that it greatly improved their stock, who would leave the grass and go to the race. The land also would be greatly benefited and the stock would eat less grass. He considered that his outlay was repaying him well. Besides, it would render the district more healthy to have a continuous supply of fresh water by means of a running stream. He had written to Mr Walker, of the Ashburton County Council in regard to the cost of a water race in his district, who had replied that it had only cost them Is per chain. That race was scooped out, but his (MrTripp’sj was dug. Mr Flatman considered that the main thing to be considered was the financing. A great many people were frightened in regard to entering on the project, as they were already overburdened with heavy rates. He thought it would be of a great benefit to the district if a race were constructed. If they raised a loan he thought £250 would be insufficient, as the headworks would necessarily be very expensive. If the matter were thoroughly explained throughout the district he believed that a far larger area than 500 acres conld be brought within reach of the race, as the owners of land -would be only too glad to have water at a small cost running through their property. He would maintain that it would be worth the cost. There was one point he would like explained, and that was in regard to the plans and specifications. How would they be paid for if the project fell through 1 Mr Talbot said that so far as plans were concerned, those that had been done the Geraldine County Council had paid for. What guided the Council was the extent of public benefit that would be derived. If the work went on, the ratepayers would not be charged with the cost of the plans and specifications, That would be included in the cost of the work and included in the loan. The only plans at present prepared were for a water race at Waitohi. The ques tion that arose in that district was that if there was any more land than the water touched, would the occupiers be compelled to pay the rate ? If they could not get the water to their land they would not have to pay, but if it could do so, it was nothing but right they should.

Mr Flatman would maintain that a water race through a paddock was worth Is a chain in the benefit that would he derived. It was plain from what Mr Talbot had stated that if the land were not watered by means of the race it would not be rated. In regard to the polling, he should like to knowhow they would vote, would it be by the acreage 1 Mr Talbot: On the property qualification.

Mt Flatman ; I am satisfied that a water race would benefit the whole district, and am sorry the acreage is so small ; but I am positive more than 1000 acres can be brought within the reach of a race coming from the Waihi Gorge. I shall be most happy to support the project in any way I can (Applause.) Mr Talbot explained that the Geraldine County Council had engaged Mr Meason, to prepare plans, etc, for Waitohi, Levels and Orari, but he did not think he understood it would be for this district as well, from the instructions given. He thought the best way the meeting could go about the wqg to pass a resolution asking jibe Council to request Mr Meason to report on the matter.

The Chairman remarked that they had power to borrow £250, hut he did not think the race would cost anything like that sum, £IOO would be quite enough. He thought the best plan woqld be to, write to Mr Margheut, who planned his (Mr Tripp’s), water race, apt) a-sk him to come down apcl see the best way sl9 water could be byought in, and to prepare plans, etc., so that they could be submitted to the County Council. Mr Talbot thought the Council would pay those expenses, which he was sure would not be much. If Mr Marchant went round the district in company with another person who 'knew the settlers, hie belieyed 'the people would say ‘‘ Qli, include my paddock in your plan, as I arn sure it will benefit me.’ If they borrowed money at 9 per cent the loan would be paid off in fifteen years,. Mr Tabot explained (hat they gopld now borrow tffoney f.*r (be purpose unffey I* The Roads an'd Bridges’ Construction Act.” the ratq mngt he 'sufficient to pay the interest, and there must be a sinking fund to repay the loan. They would have

to have a rate roll made out for the puipone and appoint a rate collector. If a race co»ld be constructed as cheaply as their Chairman had stated, he would simply raise the money and pay for the work right off. The question to consider was, is it worth while? In reply to a question from the Chairman, Mr Talbot said that if they applied to the Council for Mr Meason to prepare plans anil specifications in all probability they would instruct Mr Meaoon to visit the district Mr Flatman proposed, Mr Dean seconded, and it was carried unanimously —“That a requisition be prepared and signed by tbo settlers in the district asking the Geraldine County Council to send their Engineer to visit the district and report on a water race project, including the extent of land that may possibly be irrigated in the district.” After a vote of thanks had been passed to Mr Talbot for his attendance that evening, and also the usual vote to the Chairman the meeting terminated.