SUBURBAN WATER SUPPLY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9053, 12 February 1908, Page 6

SUBURBAN WATER SUPPLY.

OPAtfl AND LANSDOWNE REQUIREMENTS.

COUNTY COUNCIL TO TAKE FRESH POLL.

The old question of irrigating Opaki and supplying Lansdowne with high-pressure water was revived at the County Council meeting yesterday afternoon, as a sequel to the recent meeting of the Opaki and Lansdowne residents in connection with the matter. A deputation composed of Messrs P. L. Hollings, A. H. Wrightson, W. H. Crufekshank and V. Donald waited upon the Council to urge that body to repeat the steps it took in connection with the previous, loan proposal which was rejected. Mr Hollings, in support of the request, said that the meeting of Saturday last showed how anxious the settlers of Opaki and residents of Lansdowne were to have a proper and reliable scheme of water supply and irrigation. Some forty persons had .attended, and agreed to urge upon I the Council tJ again take a poll upon the same lines as last, on plans prepared by Mr G. Laing-Meason, and which the deputation had brought for the Council's inspection. The Council no doubt might feel indisposed (under the circumstances to trouble further in the matter, seeing that some difficulty had arisen in connection with the payment of the expenses'of the last poll, but the deputation came with not only the expenses for a fresh poll in hand, but also the arrears in connection with the last poll. There were now many converts to a water supply, and irrigation scheme, as the drought had taughc settlers a bitter lesson, and the speaker trusted .that now the money was in hand, and every other detaif practically was arranged, the Council would take immediate action. Mr Laing-Meason was in town, and | would attend a meeting to explain his , scheme. Mr Hollings said the plans | were virtually the same as for the previous proposal, with the exception that the amount set down for the Lansdowne water supply would probably be increased to, say, £4,500 not to increase the area, but to provide for pipes for more complete reticulation on account of increased population. Lansdowne people were at present in the direst straits for want of water, and carts ] were daily engaged at a great expense carting water for drinking purposes from the borough supply. Wells were dry and tanks were dry, and from every standpoint there was need for urgent action. If the matter w»re left over until rain came people might forget their present plight, and no doubt short-sightedly reject what was a very necessary scheme. The Chairman (Cr Welch) here informed Mr Hollings that the Council had never wished to be hostile to the scheme, but on last occasion the proposal submitted was rather crude, and the rating area not being continuous and other necessary details not being in-order the taking of the poll was unavoidably delayed. Mr Wrightson also spoke in support of the - request; and laid particular stress on the hardships settlers were labouring under for want of water. The Waipipi creek was, he said, so polluted as to be quite useless, and stock were in a very bad way.

The Clerk pointed out that it would hardly be possible for the Council to raise the money required for the scheme from the Treasury, as the limit of the Council's yearly allowance was already almost reached, while for next year another large loan would absorb too much to allow of the suggested scheme being also paid for fr,om the ordinary Treasury allowance.

Mr Rollings said that that matter could be easily overcome as could be procured from other sources. Any extra percentage would not be felt when spread over such a large area.

The' Council generally were favourable to immediate action being taken, although Cr Harris thought it might be advisable to wait and see if a scheme he had heard was projected for supplying Lansdowne from the borough main were brought forward or not. ~*

Eventually it was decided to hold a special meeting of the Council last night to confer with Mr LaingMeason and others interested, when definite action would be decided upon.