RICCARTON WATER SUPPLY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19170, 29 November 1927, Page 14

RICCARTON WATER SUPPLY.

BOROUGH COUNCIL'S SCHEME. MEETING OF OPPONENTS. In the Kicearton Town Hall last night a meeting was held to protest against the Borough Council's proposal to raise £31,500 to provide a high-pressure water supply. There was u good attendance, over which Mr J. Reynolds, an exMayor, presided. The chairman said that in view of the weather the attendance showed that the ratepayers had wakened up. The present was not an opportune tiino to cast on the shoulders of the ratepayers additional rates. (Applause.) In addition to increased rates consequent on the revaluation of the borough, there were heavy charges iu connexion with tlu seworrfge scheme. The amount proposed to be raised, £31,500, would cover only the reticulation; quotations from plumbers for the cost of bringing the water from the street lino to the house ranged from £8 to £l2. This was for something that they could very well do without at the present time. (Applause.) Those who did not possess a water supply of their own could provide themselves with one at a much cheaper rate than the method proposed. Motion of Protest. Mr H. G. Livingstone moved: "That this meeting of ratepayers of Kicearton protests against the proposal to borrow £31,500, and to strike a rate of. 2d on the unimproved value, for a high-pres-sure water system, and urges ratepayers to record their votes against the proposal on Wednesday.'' He said the Ccunc'l had gone into the matter very fully, and had' brought before the ratepayers the best scheme they could find; but that did not mean that they were compelled to accept it. From what he could gather there was a big majority absolutely against the scheme. In a district like Kicearton, where there existed a plentiful a'upply of artesian water, there was no aeed for the ratepayers, nor for the Borough Council to worry about a high-pressure water scheme. Such a schemo was not necessary for the efficient working of the sewerage system. The statement that it was necessary for that purpose was a bogey. That night's meeting was the best indication that the ratepayers were dead against the proposal. The Borough Council, he considered, ought to take up a neutral attitude, and leave it to the ratepayers to decide the matter. (Applause.) Ho did not like the idea of the ratepayers being forced to accept the scheme. He had been told officially that if the proposed loan was .turned down an appeal would be made to the Board of Health to force the-scheme on the borough; but knowing the constitution of the Board, he did not think it would consider it necessary to impose such a scheme on a district .where thero was an efficient artesian supply. Cost to the Ratepayer. Mr A. D. Ford, an ex-Mayor of the Borough,, seconded the motion. He considered the scheme was unsatisfactory. The Mayor and councillors should be thanked for going-into the matter, but having obtained the report thny had made a mistake in gnng further with it. In ime instances the City Council, after getting .reports on proposed works, abandoned them,either because the.cost w s too high or because the scheme was As to the anticipation, that 75 per cent, of the ratepayers would connect up, he t l ' .ught-it was a wild guess; the Council would be lucky if 33 1-3 per cent, did so. For £lO a man could put in his own'pump, and could be boss of his own supply, and use much, water as he wanted. (Applause.) ,To connect with the street would cost at least £8 15s, and the annual charge (oh a section of an unimproved value of £laO) would be 25s—or. £lO for the first year. , . Mr A. L Gray spoke in support of the motion, and dealt at some length with the insurance question, and referred to the manner i- which the rates in the borough had increased. Insurance Bates. The Mayor (Mr Manhire) referring to the statement that insurance rates would be reduced 2s per cont., said he had asked an insuranco authority who said that it all depended on the pressure. He (the speaker) replied that the pressure would be the same as in the City, and the insurance authority had said that in that case practically there would be a reduction. Another insurance authority s told him that the rate would be 4s. Mr Livingstone said he had discussed the matter that day with Mr J. K. Cameron, chairman! of the Underwrite ers' Association, who had told him thai, the installation of a high-pressure supply in Riccarton would, not entitle the residents to any reduction whatever. (Hear, hear). The companies would reduce rates if an efficient fire brigade service was provided. The Mayor: How- can you provide a fire brigade service without a high-press-ure water supply! Cr. T. M.Ford said he was not.in favour of the scheme. The secretary of the State Fire Insurance Office had told him that in the event of a high pressure supply being provided the insurance rate would be reduced from 8s 8d to 4s sd. Mr A. D. Ford: Did he say that would be the rate if high pressure and a fire brigade were provided? ' Cr. -Ford: He didn't mention fire brigade. Mr A. D. Ford said a high-pressure supply was not much good without an efficient fire brigade behind it. In the course of further discussion, Mr Livingstone said it would pay far better if the Council found out the ratepayers who were in difficulties regarding water and made, advances to enable them to connect up with the electricity supply. It was suggested that the Mayor, and Cr. R. H. Rankin should be given an opportunity to address the meeting. Necessary for Sewerage. The Mayor said it was intended to reply to the statement made at that meeting at a meeting to be held tonight. Mr Livingstone's statement as to the high-pressure water not being necessary in connexion with the sewerage system was not in accord with statements made by other members of the Drainage Board. Mr Hamilton bad told him that they could not have cfiicient- sewerage without the high-press-uro water; and Mr Otley, chairman of the Board, had said that he thought "they would have trouble unless they linked up with the high-pressure supply. Mr Livingstone: Did he say that? Mr Manhire: He did. Mr Livingstone: Nothing of the kind. Mr Manhire: We understand your opposition to this scheme. Mr Livingstone said it was very unfortunate that the Mayor could not get on to his feet without becoming personal. (Hear, hear.) If necessary he could get the engineer of the Drainage Board to give a technical explanation of the matter, but he would remind them that the sewerage system

was working effectively in the centre of the City long, before the high-press-ure water supply was installed. On the motion being put it was agreed to, only ten out of an estimated attendance of 100 voting against it.