COMING IN AGAIN?

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1937, Page 12

COMING IN AGAIN?

HUTT AND PETONE

FUTURE WATER SUPPLIES

BOARD MAKES OFFER

When the City and ■Suburban Water Supply Board was set up in 1927 the local bodies, which were parlies to the scheme were the Wellington City Council, the Lower Hutt and Pelone Borough Councils, Eastbourne Borough Council, Upper Hutt Borough Council, and the Hutt County Council. The board ran along smoothly and the foundation work to ensure an ample water supply for the whole metropolitan area was carried out. The City Engineer made an investigation of alternative schemes of development, but shortly afterwards the Lower Hutt and Petone Borough Councils withdrew from the board, indicating that they preferred to develop their artesian supplies. An arrangement was made between the Lower Hutt and Eastbourne Councils whereby Eastbourne purchased water from artesian wells in the Lower Hutt area, and Wellington City, at a later date, also drove artesian wells, to be drawn on only when the surface supplies from Wainui and Orongorongo fell low.

Since the withdrawal of Lower Hutt and Petone the board has done a great deal of work which will be of high value and service in the future, when a major water supply development must be undertaken. The original area of the watershed, about 78,000 acres, has been consolidated by the purchase of adjoining lands or by exchange, and a policy of bush conservation and forestry work has been maintained. The board is of the opinion that Lower Hutt and Petone should rejoin, having regard to the future, and at its last meeting the board decided to communicate with the two boroughs. "RECEIVED." Replies were received at the meeting of"-the board today, Petone advised that the council there had simply "received" the board's letter, but the Lower Hutt Borough Council had asked to be advised on what basis, in so far as arrears were concerned, the board would be prepared to readmit the borough. Councilor H. A. Huggins: This board had done good work for the future in conserving the area. If these two boroughs step out they should not be allowed to come in again without paying anything. Mr. W. Greig, Upper Hutt, said that the board should welcome them back if they paid their arrears. Upper Hutt would welcome the major, scheme of water supply tomorrow, for supplies were wanted there at once. If the major scheme was proceeded with the other boroughs should join in. Councillor W. Appleton: I don't think that the arrears should be a barrier. Mr. D. Bowie, Eastbourne: From a conservation point of view this, board has done wonderful work, really of more value to them than to any other members of the board. Councillor Huggins agreed that that was so; a good many thousands had been spent in planting and in completing the area, and the two bodies should be prepared to pay something. Mr. Bowie: My personal opinion is that the attitude of Petone is very short sighted. Mr. Greig: They may wake up 11 the bottom drops out of their artesian scheme. SHOULD PAY SOMETHING. The Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, said that the arrears which would be payable by Lower Hutt were £766, purely on the basis of the forestry work carried out. He thought that Lower Hutt should pay something, for the borough would have the benefit of what had been done. "The estimated cost of the major scheme is roughly £500,000," continued Mr. Hislop, replying to a suggestion from Councillor Huggins that the major scheme was bound to be proceeded with. "Wellington now has artesian wells which cost about £20,000 only and have safeguarded the position for seven or eight years, so that it would not suit us to go straight ahead with a £500,000 scheme. However, the forestry question remains open. I think that these'people should pay the whole of their arrears, but if it is an inducement for them to rejoin I think we might make some reduction. I suggest we might reduce the arrears by half." Councillor Appleton: I agree that we should make every effort to get-these people in again. Councillor Huggins: And we should i make it quite clear that local bodies ] cannot remain in for three or four years, then step out, and then step in again on their own terms. The Mayor's proposal was adopted. Mention was also made of the possibility of Makara joining the scheme, but the Mayor said that though there had been discussions no decisions had so far been made as to the proposed amalgamation with the city and "the possible supply of water. Councillor Appleton: Apparently we cannot do very much as far as Petone is concerned.

Mr. Hislop: That may not necessarily be so; there is a possibility of amalgamation of the two boroughs in the valley.