ONSLOW DISTRICT

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 176, 13 April 1923, Page 7

ONSLOW DISTRICT

SVATER AND DRAINAGE LOAN SCHEME OUTLINED

There wag a large attendance of Onslow residents at the Khandallah Tom Hall last night to hear outlined the City Council’s scheme for supplying the district with water and drainage. The Mayor (Mr. B- A. Wright, M.P.) presided, and theie were with him bn the platform Councillors Dale, Burns, Bennett, and Barton, Messrs. J. O’Shea '.(city solicitor), and J. Morica (of the city engineer’s staff). , , The Mayor said there were two outstanding points in connection with tne scheme, which should commend itself to ratepayers of the district. Mhe facilities for water supply and dramage tfCre provided, increased, settlement within the district was bound to occur immediately. A great increase of population naturally meant a reduction in rates, as there were more people to bear the cost. ine value of the properties served by the scheme would be considerably enhanced. ■ 1 r Mr. Morice, with the aid of a map, explained the proposed scheme. He said that the council expected to be able to give the Onslow district a good water supply without recourse pumping. This would save expense. The water would be brought from Orongorongo by' gravitation into a 4000-gallon reservoir, and from it distributed to the district. Mr O’Shea said that the amount /of the loan for water supply was £45,000, and for drainage £50,000, a total of £95,000. There would be no special rate durng the first year of the loan, from August 1, 1923, nor would, a Special rate be struck until the financial year 1924-5. The rate would, in practice, be struck only for money raised for drainage from time to time. The charges for interest and sinking fund on moneys raised for water supply would be met out of water rates as soon as water was supplied. The water rate was the rate for the whole city now, per cent, on the annual value for ordinary supply. Extraordinary supply vould be charged for at the same rates is for the rest of the city. In reply to a question it was stated fiiat a raster would be necessary in orler to measure extraordinary use of rater. It was stated also that the rate for drainage alone would be ? 9-10 d. in the £l, or a little less,, on she unimproved value. Speaking on the cost of connection, Mr. Wright said that property owners who could not afford the cost outright ronld take advantage of the deferred payment system, when the work would he done at the council’s expense and the householder would pay th» cost, plus interest, during a term of 10 years. The cost’ of fixing, in accordance with the city by-laws, all plumbing and drainage from front te rear of house, for 80ft. of 4-inch drain at 2s. 6d. a foot, and everything connectcd with the institution of complete household drainage and water system, would be £4B 13s. 4d._ Councillor Dale said that he had been informed that as soon as the Water supply was an accomplished fact two firemen would be appointed permanently to the district. jJVater ahd drainage was what the district had • been wanting for some. time. In reply to a question Mr. Morico said the pressure of water would vary from about 1501 b. at Ngaio and a low pressure at the top of Mount Misery. The installation of the water and drainage systems would bo proceeded with practically simultaneously on thq tarrying of the loanCouncillor Bennett mentioned that a site had been selected for the provision •f a bathing pool at Khandallah which would be. utilised when the water was forthcoming.