Water short at Hororata

Press, 15 February 1982, Page 17

Water short at Hororata

Serious water shortages, in Hororata have prompted the Malvern County Council,. to ask farmers in the area to be particularly vigilant with -supplies.-s. In. a circular, the council ..will - ask them to attend quickly 'to 'any malfunctions, blockages, dr leakages inwater race systems.

“We will advise farmers, particularly those at the bottom end of races, that if there is an intermittent water supply, there .is not much more the council can do,” the county's engineer, Mr A. C. Watson, told a council meeting on Friday. “If we get another prolonged dry spell, the situation could get more serious. At the moment we can live with it, as long as it does not get any worse”-he said. Mr Watson told councillors that Malvern had held up well in the drought, mainly because there had been more water through the Waimakariri race than in previous years.

In much of Hororata the situation was serious, and some farmers had no water at all for their properties. A private water race had been brought into use to try and improve supplies. Mr Watson said councillors and council staff had inspected the area to see if any more could be done. Circulars would be sent to farmers asking them to be vigilant. Cr J. R. Inch said a good rainfall would relieve the situation. “I have never seen Hororata as low as it is now. It is critically low.” Cr A. D. H. Scott asked what contingency plan the council had if there was another fine, dry spell. “Are we sure no stone will be unturned to get water to the properties?” he asked.

The council chairman, Mr G. E. Wright, said they would be in no position to cart large quantities of water to stock. . ■

Mr Watson said that one reason for sending out circulars was', so that farmers could think ahead for themselves), and organise contingency plans. Cr I. P. Chamberlain said that farmers in the Sandy Knoll and Kirwee areas were also being affected, and asked for circulars to be sent to them too. Folk music festival Council staff will have further discussions with country and western singer John Hore on plans to hold a country folk music festival for up to 1000 people at his Whitecliffs Valley farm on February 20 and 21. Councillors want to make sure there is adequate control on such things as fire risks, attendance numbers, noise limits, and sleeping and eating facilities. A copy of regulations used at the recent Sweetwaters festival will be considered. Murals Darfield school pupils spent the last week of their holidays painting murals on external walls of the town's public lavatories and swimming pool. The scheme came from the Community Arts Council as a holiday project. Children thought up their own designs, which feature mainly animals. “We have had no comment yet on whether people think they are good or bad. Personally I think they are better than just a plain wall." said Cr B. Gillanders. Moto cross The council had the power to stop a moto-cross meeting for motor-cycles at Coalgate on February 28 if the fire risk remained high, council: lors were told. Cr A. D. H. Scott said: “If it is tinder dry in the back, and there is no rain, there will be a very, very serious

fire risk. Have we the power to ask organisers to cancel the meeting because of the axtreme fire risk?"

Mr Watson said it would oe worth inspecting the site closer to the date. If necessary. the council did have the power to stop the meeting. The Kaiapoi Motor Sports Club has been given approval for the event, subject to control of vehicle parking, provision of temporary lavatories and adequate firefighting provisions. Speed limit The Ministry of Transport has rejected a request from the council for a speed limit on Godley Road, Burnham. In a letter to councillors,the Ministry said that it was doubtful that motorists would comply with a limit when the only significant building on the road was a school. Cr M. G. Clucas said she was disappointed with the Ministry. About 200 children were in the area, and this was the only road they could use. “There Is quite a volume of traffic," she said. Councillors agreed to ask the Ministry to look at the situation again when children were using the road. Rook problem The council will write to the Pest Destruction Board about an influx of rooks to the area. Cr B. E. Jarman said he had counted about 1000. In the spring, there had been only about 200 of the birds, he said. M.P. s visit The council chairman, Cr G. E. Wright, welcomed the new member of Parliament for Selwyn, Miss Ruth Richardson, to the meeting. Councillors were later able tc talk to her informally.