ONSLOW AFFAIRS

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 91, 17 April 1917, Page 2

ONSLOW AFFAIRS

MEETING AT KHANDALITAH.

The three councillors of Onslow wh are opposed to the water scheme propounded by the Mayor (Mr. C. C. Crump) held another meeting- in the Kbandallah Hall.last night. There wns a- good attendance. Mr. J. F. Richardson, who presided, stated that misunderstanding existed as to his position in this matter He was merely a. supporter of these councillors because he thought the scheme unsound, and that amalgamation with Wellington must be the district's ultimate destiny.

Councillor Appleton argued that the supply was so precarious and the claims for compensation would bo so heavy that it was useless to try to obtain water from that source. He also said it was worse than useless in a borough like Onslow to instal water without drainage.

Councillor Budd stated, thai Mr. Fulton had, since his report to Onstow, allowed forty gallons a ijay to Eastbourne, a district which obviously needed less than Onslow. Also, ithat the average quantity used in .nineteen New Zealand towns taken haphazard was over forty gallons. Councillor .Budd contended that amalgamation with the city, when the time was ripe, was the only way that Onslow could make progress. Councillor Dale, ■who is standing for the Mayoralty.- to oppose Mr. Crump* scheme; dealt'with the question, of compensation to riparian owners on the lines already taken,at Ngaio. 'In reply to"a question by Mr. Cowles, the councillor tsaid he considered it would be a breach of his 'trust to the ratepayers pot to inform them of the .borough's liability to p.-iy compensation. It had now been admitted by some of the strongest supporters of the scheme that compensation must be p\id. ' In answering Mr. Harkness, Councillor Uudd 'referred to the danger of taking the average rainfall. It was necessary to have a drought-proof scheme,; and by. joining the city they would obtain an unlimited supply.