HALSWELL WATER SUPPLY

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28451, 4 December 1957, Page 7

HALSWELL WATER SUPPLY

Skeleton Scheme Approved

After hearing a report from a representative of a firm of consulting engineers, the Halswell County Council at a special meeting approved a skeleton scheme for an improved water supply for Halswell. The scheme is estimated to cost £42,000. “Sooner or later it has to be started —the vital point is firefighting,” said the chairman (Mr J. Mackenzie).

The subject of finance .required was left over for further consideration pending a fuller report. The engineer’s report noted that development in the Halswell county seemed to be taking place of Nicholls and Halswell roads where there were some 750 sections in approved schemes. In order to take advantage of the Land Subdivision in Counties Act which required subdivisions to supply water supply mains it seemed that any scheme should be capable of providing supply in that area. The skeleton scheme served by a reservoir above Cashmere road and wells and pumps in the reserve in Nottingham avenue would give reticulation in Paterson avenue, Halswell road, Lillian street, Nottingham avenue. Checketts avenue, Nicholls road, Dunbars road. To these areas could be added Halswell Junction road and Halswell, School, Larsens and Glovers road (ring mains), he report said.

Alternative Scheme

An alternative scheme, estimated to cost £19.000, was suggested by the engineers which would serve the area west of Nicholls and Halswell roads only on the grounds that the established houses in the older area had their own domestic supply and the Halswell river gave a certain amount of fire protection The report said that the scheme would make provision for firefighting. The suggestion that wells should be sunk for this purpose was discussed with Mr L. R. Osmond, the chief fire officer, who said many of the fire units had different fittings and it would not be practicable to draw water off a well. On the basis of 60 feet, each well would cost about £3OO and the brigade could pump 1000 feet away along road lines. The report recommended, that in view of the development likely to take place early consideration should be given to the scheme to take advantage of the subdividers’ provision for mains and to save«the substantial sum involved in each householder providing his own supply.

Declaration Votes.—The authenticity of more than 6000 declaration votes in the Christchurch area is being checked by the staff of the Registrar of Electors (Mr A. A. Besley). The signatures on declarations are checked with those on registration applications and when identity has been proved, electorate returning officers are notified and votes are recorded officially.