WATER SUPPLY BOARD.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13883, 7 November 1910, Page 3

WATER SUPPLY BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the \\ ai-makariri-Ashley Water Supply Board was hold on Tlmrscby, when there were pre-ent Messrs Ruddenklau (m the chair), Moderate, Horn, and Wolff. An unanimous vote of sympathy was accorded Mr Dixon (chairman) on account of his illness, and hopes were expressed of his early recovery, and in the mean. time the Board granted him temporary leave of absence. The surveyor's report stated that during the previous forty-two days the daily average deptli of water on sill of intake at Brown's Rock headworks had been five feet six inches, and the daily average depth ol water passing the flume at Block Cutting during the same period had been one"foot eight and a half inches, .affording an abundant supply to tho district. The hendworks were in good order, and tho river remains in a most favourable position, and the prospects for the coming summer consequently were nover surpassed. No. 2 protective boulster at hendworks, which was becoming undermined by the constant floods of the past two months was repaired and protected by a Ixnildor apron. In spiteof the excellent supply of water being .sent through tho district, the oven flow and regulation to all .-parts had been a. very difficult matter owing to the continual north-west winds blowing debris into the races and blocking the intakes. As evidence ot ! the clean state of the main races, kept in order by the Board, it was mentioned that all the Rangiorn and Fernsido districts were watered direct from Brown's llock, there being no occasion to use tho Oust intake in Springbank. The general cleaning of Cooper's Creek .subdivision nnd JRnngiora and Fernside district had been satisfactorily carried out, and tho whole system (with a few exceptions) was no\v in good order. Numerous flumes and culverts had been renewed and steel-lined, and fords and bridge approaches shingled. The well on Mr Tullott's land had been completed, and was acting satisfactorily for surplus water. In Cooper's Creek subdivision during the past period, the various parts of the races maintained by the Board had received attention, and several small immovements had been eifected. Until the past few days the water supply had been well maintained, but lately the water was fast decreasing owing to the continued dry weather. -U present a deep channel leading to the Intake was beiiig scooped out across the creek bed to gather all the available water by percolation. If the present dry weather continued there was every prospect of the supply failing. All water to ponds, lakes, bath, etc., had been cut oiT, and arrangements were made to work the supply from Fishers gates in alternate spells oi' eight hours. Tli< v report was adopted. The Board ordered the rangers to report immediately any tampering or interfering with the water-race system in any wav and ordered prosecution to follow. " The surveyor was instructed to carry out the olieration to the flrnnii at Fernside school and the storm-water outlet at Mr Milne's as agreed upon by the member for tho district. In some coses of taking water for irrigating purposes without leave or license, the Board ordered the nsii:<l payment, or prosecution. The surveyor was directed to inform Mr Gardiner that the water-race to Mr Samuel iSmith must run in future without any interference. An application from -Mr E. Ivory, Rangiora, in regard to water for irrigation was left to the surveyor to arrange under the usual conditions. The question of ducks and geese being allowed in water-races, causing pollution of tho water and injury to the hanks and cuttings of races was considered, and the Board decided that after this warning proceedings would be instituted. The surveyor was requested to communicate with, the West Kyieton Road Board regarding the. removal of water-race spoil on Wolff's road being utilised in tho proposed road formation. Accounts amounting to £65 were passed for payment.