PROPOSED NEW WATER-RACE

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7777, 3 February 1891, Page 3

PROPOSED NEW WATER-RACE

A meeting of ratepayers occupying lanS between the Cave and the Point- uietaß the schoolhouse, Pleasant Point, oi -Wednesday evening last to discuss the proposed water-race. There were forty! eight persons present. By a resolution of the Geraldine County Council Mil Balfour, the Chairman, and Mr MarchantM the Engineer, attended to ascertain the views of the ratepayers and to explaiis the necessary steps to be taken. Mi -Balfour took the chair, and after explain! ing the object of the meeting, and the lavw referring to water-races, said he forgot t« bring the petition which was laid before the last meeting of the County Couudifia As well as he remembered the area iv the proposed district was nob defined. MS Acton said the area was detlned in the petition as beipg balf-a-mile on each side of the Cave road. Two schemes were brought up for discussion. Oue to brine the water on the flat, the oiher on thjg downs. Mr Bishop represented the viewfi of the former and Mr Orbell the latterl Those living on the flat objected to th«j extra cose of bringing the water taj the dawns. To meet the objecg tion Mr Orbell, as reorienting ths New , Zealand Laud (Jdnipany, saiti they were willing to extend the aree foe.rating purposes. Mr'Baltoar states that the feeling of the County Council wan in favor of the larger area, whereby M larger number of persons would bf| benefitted, and that the extra cost oS making the head works larger would bfl very trifling; that for obvious reasons Iff would be much .nore economical to havK one large area than two small ones. M long discussion took place, in whicft Messrs Kayner, Harris, Mclntyre, BishoK Acton, and Crawford took part. Mr ual chant said the head works would be new the Gave close to the High rocks Mr Marchant said in ordinary seasoSi there would be sufficient water from the Te Ngawaifor the proposed larger areJg bu 6 he did not think there would bfP sufficient water if another race was carried to the downs on the north side of the'river. Mr Orbell statedthat the proposed larger area would include about 4000 acres of the Company's land, and they would be prepared to pay in proportion. The Chairman said the cost of construction would be based on the property valuation, and the cost of maintenance on an acreage valuation. Mr John Mclntyre, as representing those living on the Flat, said he was Iα favor of of the larger area, because if only the smaller race was made, perhaps the Land i Company .would make a race for themselves and tap the river higher up, and then they might not have water enough ' for their own race, and therefore it would be a wise policy on their pare to join with the,'other side. Eventually, the following resolution was passed unanimously:— " That the Geraldine County Council be requested to have alternate surveys made as to the probable cost of constructing water races in the first proposed district, including those that can be benentted above and below the Point, and also of the proposed race on the Downs, taking in, say, forty chains back from MonroeV road. The report is to be laid before another meetimr. A vote of thanks to the Chairman and Mr Marchant for their attendance brought the meeting to a close.