BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3745, 25 February 1891, Page 2

BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY.

Meeting of Ratepayers.

Lively Scenes

A meeting of ratepayers, to consider the action of the Borough Council in refusing to accept Mr Renall's offer of a water supply, and to consider the advisability of dividing the Borough into wards, was held in the Theatre Royal last night. About 250 persons, including a number ot ladies, were present, the chair being occupied by His Worship the Mayor (Mr C. A. Pownall). In a brief opening address, the Chairman said he had called the meeting in response to a numerously signed requisition to discuss the action of the Council in refusing to accept Mr Renall's offer. He referred to the objections to the supply raised in the Council, and stated that unless the present meeting tqok some action the water would be out oil, apd that would be an end of the matter. He could see no hopes of the present Council accepting the supply, under whatevei conditions it might be offered. It was on these grounds he had called this meeting. He believed the division of the Borough into wards would be beneficial to all concerned. Each ward would have its own responsibility and pay its own rates. A requisition would be laid before them, asking that the Borough be divided into wards. He pointed out that it was necessary to have a division of the Borough to secure proper representation. He could not help feeling that the Borougl. was not fairly represented. (Applaus~ : .

Mrßenall, who was receiv ■ with applause, said he would cut the matter shcrt, and bring up the question which required discussion. He stated that after the culverts had been smashed in, he had intended to have nothing more to do with the affair. But he had been prevailed upon by the Mayor and others not to give in. He referred to the action of the late Mayor in cutting off the supply, and said he had then decided that if jb was the wish of the people he would never run it down the channels again. Mr Fownall had been elected Mayor on the water supply ticket, and it was through this gentleman the water was now running. He was determined, however, to cut it off if the people did not want it. (Mr Darley: But we do want it I) He beljeyed they did. The Borough required it. Hp asked, what had they been (Ipfog duripg the past tfjree years? Why, tfyey had been spending their money in erecting Californian pumps (laughter), He would put more water on his streets wjth ft scoop than the Borough would with their water cart, (Mr Munro: No J—jJp^ roar) H * wou,d Ja F w ' tb * lr Munro that he wouM ? ut m< * e water down with a scoop than the A,? rou £» could with their water cart (cheers and cries of " No.") He pointed out that it was only on the casting vote of the Mayor Uiat MrL'aseJberghad been allowed to take the water dp.wn the streets to water his garden. 'yVhat; right had Mr Gapper and his party to say, '' Ypu'li do this and you'll do that ?" Who was Mr (Gapper or Mr Chamberlain ? What the had thty to do with Mr Caselberg? (laughter). They should be removed ftom the Council (hear, hear.) When an election took place (he people put forttk.no effort to return" men who in their interests. Money the water to his spent on Bingle he

this sort of thing let them say so, and j that would be the end of it. He did I not wish to see the Borough funds spent onCaliforninn pumps (laughter). They were no better than penny squirts (renewed laughter.) Mr Gapper had a splendid way of reading the Municipal Corporations Act. He, like a magician, read it backwards (laughter), but he knew nothing whatever about the Act. His argument at the last meeting of the Council against the supply was the most futile and childish he had ever heard of. The Gapper party would not allow anybody to have a say whilst they had a majority. This was the reason they now appealed to the public. The fluraing had been filled in by the Council, but in the absence of certain members it had been taken out, and at the request of the Mayor he had again allowed the water to run. It now rested with the ratepayers to say whether or not he should continue to let the water run. To bring the matter to a bead he would move, ''That the offer of Mr Renall to supply water to the town at a yearly rent 1 of £2O be accepted." (cheers). The Chairman : Would any other gentleman like to speak ?

Mr J. Russell: I should like to ask one question, Mr Mayor (cries of "platform.") Mr Renall: Let the man ask his question from his seat. What does he want on the platform? (cheer?). Mr Russell: I only want to know if the £BO required for returning the water to Mr Renall's mill-lead is included in the arrangement. The Charman: We'll explain that presently. Mr Renall replied that Councillors had been deceived in the amount of grading required. Mr Murdoch McKenzie and Mr Frazi had informed the Council that there was a fall of fifteen inches into his mill lead, and he believed he could convert this into 2ft three. But they did not want a rapid stream for fire prevention purposes.

Mr Russell: If we take the vote of this meeting on the subject, how will we know it is the opinion of the ratepayers generally 1 (hear, hear). Mr Renall: I'll tell you! The Chairman : That's a matter for after consideration.

! Mr Renall stated that any section of the ratepayers could appeal to the Governor for the division of the Borough into wards. They could not have four wards, as for this purpose they would require 6000 inhabitants. But it was quite possible for them to have three. He pointed out that on a previous occasion the Council had had to go to the burgesses for reelection on the same subject, and he believed they would have to do so now. The present meeting could divide the Borough into wards. They could not, according to the Act, diminish the size of the Borough, He knew what he was talking about. He was pretty well up in the Municipal Corporations Act. (hear, hear). A voice : What about Gapper ?

Mr Renall: I don't know. He's not so shy in the Council, when he's got half a dozen behind him to howl me down (laughter). If he's a man at all let him come forward now. (hear, hear). A voice: He's like old Perry, (laughter).

The Chairman: The resolution requires a seconder.

Mr John Pickett: I have much pleasure in seconding the resolution.

Cr Gapper then came forward amidst mingled cheers and groans. He explained that he was only waiting for the seccnding of the resolution. He was not afraid of any abuse, question, was not one which should be looked upon as a bit of fun between Mr Renall and the Council (hear, hear.) As long as he read the Municipal Corporations Act as he did at present be would oppose the scheme. He then referred to the history of the supply, pointing out that Mr Drummond had recommended the taking of a middle level, and this had been repudiated by Mr Renall. He believed the Works Committee had been quite prepared to adopt Mr Drummond's suggestion. He strongly objected to money beiog expended on a supply obtained from a natural gravitation. What they wanted was a good water supply. The present supply was nQt a good one. The Act stated that the supply should mean "pure water." Mr Renall had accused him of not understanding the Act.

Mr Renall: Neither you do, and we'll show yon presently (laughter.) Mr Gapper then read the Act on the subject, and contended that the present was neither the water nor the waterworks stipulated. (A voice : It is. The Borough Surveyor: No!) The cost of a waterworks for fire prevention purposes could be paid out of a general rate. By a waterworks the Act meant a high pressure supply. He failed to see how they could expend money out of the general rate on the present supply. He would show, however, what they could do. If the people were satisfied with an eight or nine months' supply, and were willing to expend money on a small reservoir, thoy could bring the water from Mr Renall's mill-lead to the mill stream. But pipes would have to be used. Whilst a member of the Council he would endeavor to do his duty. No amount of pressure would cause him to alter the opinions he had formed. He read the Act differently to Mr Renall. The present was not a waterworks, it wag not taken under the Publip Works' JUt," and it was not pure water. (Mr Darley: It's the best we can get) Until he could see that the Act was complied with, he would not vote for the supply (cheers and groans.) • The Chairman said he wished now to have something to say on the matter. He did not wish to pasa any strictures on the action of the Councillors, as he wss endeayouring to act in' an impartial manner. He had tried, without success, to ameliorate the difficulty oyer the water supply. He. might be somewhat prejudiced, but he had gone into the Council in favour of the water supply •rod was still in favour of it. (hear, hear). He had endeavoured to meet every objection against the supply in bis capacity am arbitrator, It had been said that Mr Renall would not put his agreement into black and white. But this difficulty had been overcome and they now had a written agreement before tbem (cheers). The was here read 1 , Captain Jones; I'd Ijke to ask you one question (cheers).

The Chairman informed the Captain that he woiild have an opportunity of asking questions later pa. He did not wish to recapitulate tbe whoje story about the water supply. They were pretty well tired of it already. (Cries of '-'We aref). The disculty of the wiitten document having been got over, there then came the objection that the levels would not return the water to the mill lead. This had

been settled by the surveyor. There were also minor objections. And last of all came the objection that the law did not permit. This objection, he said, wichou bias, had fairly floored him. The Council had at various times discussed the question of a supply with a view to adopting it, but never did they hear till after every other objection had failed that the law did not permit. He had told the Council that the supply, as one for fire prevention purposes, lould be obtained under the Municipal Corporations Act. He could not see how they could have " pure" water without a filter Legislators had never dreamt of preventing them from securing a supply of water for fire prevention purposes. He did not say tliat Mr Gapper was not sincere in the action he had taken. It was only a matter of opinion. Mr Gapper had neglected to read one clause of the Act. They had a perfect right to acquire water from Mr Renall'a Bupply for fire prevention purposes. They could contract with any person for a supply. Then, again, there was the objection, which was to a certain exient substantial, that they would only be supplied with water eight months in a year. Mr Eenall, he pointed out, could not help this. He could not compel the water to run. This was the best supply they could get at present. A supply from the Waingawa had been mooted. He would gladly take part in any movement for obtaining a supply from the Waingawa, a high pressure supply, or any supply better than the present; ■ But they should look to the present, and not the future. Mr Kenall's was the best supply they could now get for lowering their insurance, and for fire preventive purposes. An expenditure of £BO would be necessitated in returning the water to the mill lead. But he thought this, or even a greater expenditure, would he justified. If the ratepayers said they did not want the supply it would be immediately cut off. But if this was done, the efforts of those who were working in the best interests of the borough would be frustrated. Regarding the dividing of the Borough into wards he said the result would be that each ward would pay for the work done in its own district. The water supply difficulty would also thereby be solved. There was no doubt the party agitating for a water supply was in a minority in the Council, and he believed that in every matter of interest to the Borough they would also be iu a minority. The only remedy for this was to put the matter to the ratepayers. The division of the Borough into wards would mean a fresh election, and this would settle the matter of a water supply. If they were beaten on this question his party did not intend to do anything more i for the Borough. He hoped to Bee the Council reconstituted. There could be no possible objection to Mr Eenall. Whatever he had asked him for he had got. (hear, hear). There were important matters which would soon have to be discussed in the Council, and it was on these grounds he desired a re-constitur.ion. (applause). " Captain" Jones was then called for.

Amidst cries of "All aboard for Mauriceville," eic,the Captain stepped bravely on to the platform. He expressed his sorrow at not being present at the beginning of the meeting. What the Mayor had said w 8 fair and just, but Mr Cole had offered to supply the town with water at a far less expense (laughter). But Mr Renall had objected. What was he'that he should object ? If he had the interests of the Borough at heart why did he object to giving a small neck of land to convey the water from Cole's property? (laughter). Mr Cole said he would give the water, but Mr Renall said, "You're a richer man than me and you'll have to pay me for the land", (laughter). If Mr Eenall was their father (hear, hear) —and he acknowledged he was his—why did he not give this land? (laughter). The present supply was only benefitting a few wealthy storekeepers. Mr Renall had a mill stream to feed, and he had plenty of wheat in his mill. Let him pay for his water (hear, hoar.) Mr Pownall knew what he was about. He was feeding the fat pig (roars of laughter,) Mr Benall was getting money from the ratepayers with which to grind his wheat (laughter). He had to pay a lot of insurance on his property, but he had no water to run past his door. Mr Benall was a big | man, but he knew his way about. He did not blame him, for he would do the same if he had. hold of the same end of the stick. (Uproar, and cries of "sit down," "chuck him out,' etc.) Mr Pownall was a young man and he hoped he would yet come forward as a candidate for the House. But all he bad to tell him was, "Don't spend the poor man's money" laughter.) The matter of a water supply required his moat oareful consideration (cheers). Mr Eton then mounted the platform amidst groans and cheers. He said he had always stuck up for the water scheme, and would continue to adhere to it. During the time Mr Heron was Mayor the most technical objections had been raised against the scheme. A petition of 8.7 ratepayers in Queen Street asking for the supply had been completely ignored. If the water ran down Qaeen Street Mr Jones' cottages must be benefitted, (Mr Jones: Can't see it,) The division of tip Borough would do i*-. They would all admit that during the past three years greater improvements had been made in the Borough than for any previous ten years. He considered Mr Benall's the best scheme procurable.

Mr Jones : We've tried no other yet.

A voice : Go and bed your horse down (laughter). Mr Jones: I'll do that, and Tl\ bed you down if you like. (Boars of laughter).

Mr Renall, in reply to Mr Qapper, said the Council had purchased the Jubilee engine and appliances in spite of the people. (Mr Jones: A vote was taken).' He could see that the Jubilee could not be worked without water, He then referred to what he had done to procure a supply. (Mr Jones i K anybody else bad cut up the streets like you have they would have been imprisoned). The answer to the objections that the footpaths would be damaged was found in the fact that he had put the water down the streets, add it was now running to his miii IC°l^ r J °nes: But you're oigHna something out 01 it). It h»d been said tha* fche V/ajppua affected his mill lead. But it did not. (Mr Jones; But it does; I've worked in it. Laughter). At any rate there was sufijcient pater in the river to supply the town ' all the year round. (Mr Jones: There's not). If any of'those gentlemen who said there was not would put down £2O he would do the same. Mr Jones (walking towards the stage) : 1 will! (Roars of laughter).

Mr Eenall: Where is it] , Mr Jones: Here it is; I'll find £2O, (Continued laughter). Mr Ronall: Oh, you're a fool. Sit down.

The Chairman: You've had your say now, Mr Jones. Mr Jones: But I won't allow Mr Eenall to call me a fool, (laughter). Let Mr Eenall call me that outside uproar). He did not call me a fool when I helped him out of his difficulties in the past. A constable here interviewed. Mr Jones, and was about to eject him, when the latter promised to maintain order.

Mr Eenall: It might not be generally known that a man can be locked, up and fined at the instance of the Chairman for disturbing a meeting.

Mr Jones: I know that, but you called me a fool. (Laughter.) Mr Eenall: A truer word was never spoken. Mr Jones: That's a matter of opinion.

Mr Renall asked 'if any of the councillors wLo objected to the supply would be willing to expend money the same as he had done. He believed that every man should endeavor to leave the world better than he found it. (Hear, hear.) The answer to all objections was that they had now got the water running down Queen street. (Cheers.) " Mr Jones: Yes, but we want it in other streets than Queen-street. The motion was then put and carried with but one dissentient.

The Mayor further moved, " That the Borough be divided into three wards as per plan submitted." Mr Eton seconded. This motion was then put and declared carried unanimously.' The Mayor requested ratepayers to remain behind and sign .a requfeition to the Governor,praying for a division. Mr Eenall intimated that the Waingawa scheme was going to be undertaken by private subscription. The proceedings then terminated, about a score remaining behind to sign the requisition. . ' ~.,