Thames Borough Council.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3055, 29 November 1878, Page 3

Thames Borough Council.

A meeting of the Borough Council was held at the Council Chambers at noon to-day re the Borough's objection to the handing orer to the County Council of certain streams claimed by them as feeders to the Thames Water Race There were present: — His Worship the Mayor (Dr. " Kilgour), Crs Bhrenfried, McGowan, Wilson, Speignt, And Mennie. The Town Clerk read the correspondence re the Water Race, referjjwl to in our report of Wednesday's Cottnty Council meeting, and then read 4iWif following report, prepared by the committee :—

Your Committee have to report that after a careful inspection of the different creeks that feed the Kauaeranga River and water the Kauaerangft Valley, and that are included in the proclamation of the Governor in the Gazette of October 23,1873, as the streams •f water proposed to be taken for tho purpose •f constructing the Water Race from Kauaeranga River to Grahamstown, and that are now sought by the County Council to be handed over to them for their sole right with the said Water Race. That these creeks so described in such proclamation includes each tnd every creek, whether small or large, within a stretch of country of about 16 miles square. The dam to turn the water of the Kauaeranga River into the Race is situated about 8 milos up the Kauaeranga Valley, and jour' Committee recommend that the main liver with all tributary creeks from its commencement to that point, pass with the Race to the County Council; also, that they have the right absolutely to divert the waters of the Hihi and Mangarahu Creeks above the level of the . race, and the waters of the Mangakirikiri above the same level, conditionally; the conditions attached to the last being : 1. That the diversion of the waters of this creek will, not injure the 01-.anui block as a goldfield, Upon which gold has already been found several times, and even very lately by the Tookey Brothers, and upon which creek a water race has already been granted. 2. That the waters of the creek are not required for mining or other industries. 3. That some of the higher sources of this creek are.not imperitively required for increasing the township domestic supply's any of these in» cidents occurring the County right over this creek to cease and determine. The other creeks and streams, with the exception of the Waikiekie (the creek supplying the township with wa er) the Hape, the Karaka, the Waiotahi, and the Moanntairi (which are necessary to be left absolutely free for" goldfield purposes) are all very small and many of them perfectly dry in summer, and are required for the population inhabiting the valleys of the Kauaeranga, and besides which these waters could not be diverted into the Government Race. In short, the County to have the Kauaerang River and its tributaries above the. head works, and the waters of Hihi and Mangarahu7 absolutely, the Mangakirikiri conditionally, and- all"" other waters and streams to remain vested in the Crown. Your Committee recommend that • copy of this report, with plan attached, be. forwarded to Mr Wakefield and to the County Council.

The report was adopted on the motion of Cr Speight, seconded by Cr Mennie, in its above form. Cr Speight then moved that arrangements be made with Mr Wakefield to visit the Big Pump and Piako shaft re the south drive, that gentleman to be accompanied by Crs Ehrenfried and Speight and Messrs J. P. Hall and J. W. Walker. This was carried, and the, meeting concluded.