WATER SUPPLY SCHEME

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21746, 31 March 1936, Page 3

WATER SUPPLY SCHEME

REPORT TO RICCARTON

COUNCIL

CONSIDERATION DEFERRED

The installation of a high-pressure water supply scheme for Riccarton was the subject of a report submitted to the Riccarton Borough Council last evening by the town clerk, Mr R. Sarjeant, following an instruction given by the council at a previous meeting. In the absence of the Mayor, Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., the deputy-Mayor, Cr. Ri G. Malcolmson presided, and also present were Crs. T. M. Ford. F. S. Wilding, H. W. Wise, C. G. McKellar, F. George, and H. P. Smith. Mr Sarjeant, in his report, said a scheme was prepared in 1927 by a consulting engineer, Mr C. Dawe.. The scheme allowed for the reticulation of buildings fronting approximately 20 miles of streets and the cost was estimated at that time at £31,500. To this had to be added £9OO, representing the cost of reticulating streets formed since 1927. or about to be formed, and £IOOO for repairs to disturbed streets and footpaths sealed since 1927. Taking into consideration the increase in the price of materials owing to the exchange, etc., and the manufacturers reduced price of materials, it might be considered that the cost of English material was about the same as in 1927. Owing to the rumoured policy of the Government with respect to wages no allowance should be made for the present slight reduction seeing that the scheme could not •be installed for some time. Thus, the present cost of the scheme would be brought to £33,400. If a Government subsidy of say 10 -per cent, was obtained the total might be reduced to £30.000. Cr. George said the report was an important one and he considered councillors should have time to study it closely. It was decided to postpone consideration of the report for one month. Need of Fire Protection Later in the evening Cr. Wise said that the scheme in its present costly form was unlikely to be accepted by the ratepayers, but he considered it was time that some provision was made For fire protection in the shopping area. There was an excellent supply of good spring water in the drain at the intersection of Rata street and Straven road, and the council should divert that water into a sump handy to the shopping area. He moved that the town clerk furnish a report on the probable cost of the work. Cr. T. M. Ford supported Cr. Wise, and said it was a sin to waste the water when it was so urgently needed, for the protection of a growing business area. Cr. Wise's motion was carried. A request was received from the Riccarton Bush Trustees for assistance in carrying out repairs to defects in electrical fittings, as required in a demand by the council. It was decided that the council should carry out the work at its own expense as a donation to the Trustees' funds. An offer to dedicate free of cost a portion of his property in Mandeville street for widening and tar-sealing purposes was received from Mr A. McKellar. It was a condition of the offer that the council carry; out tar-sealing, kerbing, and channelling. Cr. Wise, chairman of the works committee, said the council should hot bind itself to any conditions. Cr. George said the work would have to be done sooner or later, and Mr McKellar's offer did not limit the time within which it was to be completed. After a short discussion it was decided to accept the offer- .