Water Supply Committee.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3110, 5 February 1879, Page 2

Water Supply Committee.

The usual monthly meeting of this j body was held at the Borough Council Chambers last evening. Present —The Mayor (in the chair), Messrs Ehrefried, Speight, Price, Brodie, and Thorburn. NEW CHAIBMAN. On the motion of Mr Ehrenfried the Mayor was elected Chairman for the ensuing half-year. WATEB FOB lEIBHTOWN. A letter was received from 15 residents of Irishtown, stating that if the Committee laid pipes down the hill from the tanks they would take the water, and pay the same rates as charged on the flat.

In reply to a question, the Turncock said that the present supply pipes to the tanks would not carry water sufficient to supply all these applicants. The matter was referred to Works Committee with power to Act.

FINANCE. A number of accounts, amounting in all to £120, were passed for payment. The Secretary said there was about £100 due to the Committee in small accounts for water rates. He named several well to do persons who would not pay their rates. After some discussion the matter was left in the Secretary's hands. THE FINANCIAL POSITION. The Mayor called attention to the present unsatisfactory position of the Committee, and the result of a conference of local bodies interested, which had been held. AH were aware of the terms upon which the Domestic Supply had been Riven to the community, and one provision was that it was not to be ma.de a source of revenue butany surplus,after paying working expenses, was to be expended in extending the supply, so that in time all parts of the township should be able to get water at a cheap rate. Such being the case, that any body having the supply might not expect a revenue from it, and all being of opinion that it could be managed better by one local body having entire control, a resolution had been carried at the conference referred to, that it was desirable that it should be so managed, and that the Borough Council be the |body intrusted with its care. A resolution had already been carried by the Parawai Highway Board that the interest of that' body be transferred to the Borough on certain conditions, and he thought that if the County Council was asked the interest held by the County would be given on similar conditions.

Mr Speight said it was high time something was done. With all respect, he must say there was no management whatever. None of them took an interest in it, as it was in stalu quo. Mr Thorburn doubted if it would work well, the Borough haying the control of the supply.

The Mayor pointed out that it was doubtful if it could be handed over to the County. Mr Brodie : It would need an Act of Parliament to hand it over to the Borough. Mr Ehrenfried said when it came to the voting which way it should go, what i would be the result ? It was not Jikely that they could agree, and it would be bound to go to the .Borough. Mr Speight moved—" 1 hat the secretary of this committee be instructed to write to the Thames Borough Council enquiring whether that body is willing to take over the property and liabilities of this committee, and to the County Council asking if they are willing to transfer their interest in the water supply to the Borough, and if so on whit terms." Mr Price seconded. Mr Brodie moved as an amendment, that the same proposal be made to both bodies. Mr Tuorburn seconded. The resolution was carried. FIIiTEItS. Mr Speight said that Dr Payne had analysed the water at the reservior, and the result was not very satisfactory.. He

considered that a series of filters should be made in the reservoir. AUGMENTATION FKOM THE COUNTY SUPPLY. Mr Thorburn said that permission might be asked off the County Council to allow the Committee to use water from the race should a necessity for doing so arise. Mr Speight said he had no objection to making th« request, but. at present there was plenty of water for domestic purposes. The Secretary was instructed to write |to the County Council making the request. THE STANDPIPES. The Mayor said he thought it very desirable that all should participate in the benefits of a good supply of water,. especially in the present season, and he would move that the Turncock be instructed to turn the water into the empty standpipes. Mr Speight said that the shutting off of the water in a standpipe in .Richmond street had been the means of a large number of persons taking in water. The resolution tailed to find a seconder, and the Mayor gave notice of motion to : move it at the next meeting. .^t This was all the business. »