OKEHU WATER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 6

OKEHU WATER

POLLUTION BY STOCK?

MEDICAL OFFICER’S REPORT INSPECTION TO BE MADE The grazing of stock in the Okehu catchment area was the subject of debate at last night's meeting «f the Wanganui City Council when the Works Committee reported that the Medical Officer ot Health, Dr. W. Cook, had submit'pl to the council a report on the supply in which he suggested chat an inspection of the area should be made by the council.

On the motion of Cr. J. J. Scott, it was decided that the Mayor, city engineer, chairman of the Works Committee, and the city solicitor should meet to-day to discuss the question of stock grazing on the catchment area. The Works. Committee’s recommendation that an inspection of the area should be made next Sunday in company with Dr. Cook was adopted. In his report, Dr. Cook said that the grazing of stock on the catchment area should be stopped immediately. Cr. Scott said that about a year ago at the council table he had raised the question ot ftock. The matter was very serious and he considered that Dr Cook's report should be released for publication. “It something is going on that is prejudicial to the health of our ratepayers then they should know about it,” he sfid. Cr. H. Lawrence said that the ratepayers of Wanganui might be faced with heavy expenditure in the future and the publication ot Dr. Cook's report would strengthen the council's plea for the money required for the works. There was no doubt that there was room for considerable improvement in the water supply. He would like to see the report published.

The Mayor explained that the report of Dr. Cook dealt with an area of 600 acres of the Okehu watershed, which had been leased by the council to a tenant for grazing purposes some years ago. The time had come when Dr. Cook considered that the stock should be removed. The eounc’ would Inspect the area next Sunday and the legal position between the council and the tenant who hold the lease would be considered. Publication of Report. Opposition to the publication of the report was voiced by Cr. C. N. Armstrong, who said that the effect of Cr. Scott’s suggestion would bt that the whole of I he information in the report would be pub'ished. If the ratepayers read that the Okehu water supply was highly polluted with animal natter it ucaild create a s'ir which might not. i» warranted. Until the whole subje™ had been gone into thoroughly it would only he frightening the ratepayers unduly if the report were published. He moved that the report, should not be published. This was seconded by Cr. D. W. Earle.

Cr. Scott rose to a point of order, explaining that he had advanced no motion but a suggestion.

The Mayor said that if Dr. Cook’s report were published in the morning he would not like to answer for the peace of mind of the councillors. He would certainly like to see Dr. Cook's suggestion regarding the removal of the stock carried out. Cr. Scott moved an amendment to the clause of the Works Committee that the mlitter of the immediate removal of til’ stock should be discussed this morning by the Mayor, engineer, the chairman of the Works Committee, and the jpity solicitor. He was not going to male any recriminations now but he had Always considered and told the people ’.nd the council of the state of things at. the waterworks. Stock had always been a source of trouble at the waterworks and since animals had been allowed to graze there the water had been muddier, dirtier and thicker. “Th- water was polluted with animal matter; those were the words of the inspector,” he said. “The people have a right to know what is going on. I do want this matter gone into thoroughly and to-niurrow morning is not too early to get on with the job. In the interests of the ratepayers the stocjk should be removed from the catchment area at once. Another weJk may be too long.” Cr. Lawrence seconded the amendment and added that there should be no delay in attacking the question. Cr. Scott’s amendment and the Works Committee’s recommendation that an inspection should be made were carried.