CITY WATER SUPPLY

Evening Star, Issue 21641, 9 February 1934, Page 14

CITY WATER SUPPLY

DEEP GREEK SCHEME OBJECTIONS RAISED BY LANDOWNERS DECISION TO PROCEED WITH PROPOSAL After considering several objections lodged by persons over whose property the proposed Deep Creek water works scheme would run, it was decided at a. special meeting of the City Council last evening to proceed with the proposal without amendment. Thorp were present at tite meeting the mavor (Rev. E. T. Cox) and Crs W. IT. "Borne, J. L. M'fndoe, W. A. Scott, J. J. Marlow. M. Silverstone, W. H. Shepherd, W. Begg, and H. C. Campbell. The Mayor explained that the meeting had been called to bear the objections to the proposed scheme raised by tlve land owners. Mr C. J. Payne, who represented Messrs J. A. and J. S. Gow and Thomas Ninnno, of Rocklands Station, Aubrey, of Clarks, and P. Boyd, of Lovell’s Flat, said that the real objection of his clients would be to having to claim for any compensation. .He would like the council to state exactly what it proposed to do in connection with the work, he would then bo able to state the case of his clients. It was rumoured in his clients’ district that the council would not only put a pipe line through the property, but would place a track through the property, and also erect a telephone line He understood that the pipe line would be about 2ft below the surface of the ground. It was quite possible that some of the owners’ stock might go into the river, and they wished the council to give some indication of the position if this happened. He asked if the engineer could let the Rocklands clients know whether or not they would be liable in the event of stock blodking the river. He also asked what his clients’ position would be if the track previously mentioned were laid down. If he could have some light on these matters, then he would be in a position to state the attitude of his clients, who did not wish to hinder the council, but rather wanted to give every possible-assistance with the scheme. The purpose of tlve meeting, said the Mayor, was to hear the objections of the" land owners, not to answer questions, or to enter into any debate. Mr Payne said that his Rocklands clients wanted to assist the council in every way. There might he a claim for compensation, hut if his questions were answered he would be able to give well-founded objections under the Public Works Act. Cr llegg said that so far as his department was concerned, it was not out to hinder anyone. It had taken on the problem of augmenting tlve city watersupply, and any damage that might be done to private property in the carrying out of the scheme would be compensated for by the department. It would be inadvisable to answer any questions at that meeting. Any information desired by the property owners should be obtained at the office. If there would be any serious detriment to the run over which the line would go, then the department, would make a slight deviation Mr A Donald, of Clarks, was represented by Mr E. J. Anderson, who said that his client felt that he must object on the ground that he had valuable cultivated ground below where the pipe line would he placed. He wanted to know if this ground would he protected in the future. The Mayor: I can assure you that your representations will be considered. Mr J. P. Ward appeared for Mr and Mrs W. J. Edgar, of Hindoo, maintaining that his clients did not wish to make any profit out of the council, hut they would prefer that the line went over a different portion of the ground from the part proposed. The line would cause immediate inconveni-. euee, in that it was necessary to muster the’sheep five times a year, and there would be a time when the musterers and the workmen must meet. There was also probable injury to persons on property to be considered. At some time or other there would he a discharge of a large body of water, which would cause a serious menace. It was stated by Mr A. C. Stephens, who represented Messrs Thomson Ltd., that a good deal of the clients’ property would form the only access to a considerable portion of the line, which would run through the middle of the ground. Cartage work over the property would cause damage, and there was always the possibility of a break in the pipe line. If this break should occur after the line had been down over twelve months, the owners would have no claim under the terms of the Public Works Act. It was only with some difficulty that his clients were able to keep picnic parties off the property, and he was rather afraid that the laying of the line would result in the ground again becoming a publicone for picnics. > Mr Payne: Do yon intend to take the necessary land "by proclamation, or do von intend simply to enter? The Mayor; Simply to enter. After the deputation had retired the council went into committee to discuss the objections raised, and finally it was decided to proceed with the proposal in an unaltered form.