Subsidy For Rural Water Supply Schemes Mentioned

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 October 1947, Page 6

Subsidy For Rural Water Supply Schemes Mentioned

[SPECIAL REPORTER] REEFTON, This Day. The Government will shortly bring down legislation covering the installation of water supply systems in country towns, which may involve the payment of subsidies.

This information was given at today’s meeting of the Inangahua County Council by the chairman, Cr J. J. Coghlan, who said that it was mentioned at the recent meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Counties Association, which he had attended. He had been unable to secure any further information. As the council might be vitally affected by the proposed measure, particularly in view of the proposed Black’s Point scheme, added Cr Coghlan, a letter had been sent to the Minister of Lands, Mr C. F. Skinner, asking him to keep the council fully informed on the question. Referring to the extension of the council’s water supply ‘system to the new Public Works Department’s settlement at Reefton, the foreman, Mr N L. Bolitho, said that it had been the council’s intention to sell the water by meter, but the department had increased the size of the pipes from two to four inches and the cost of fourinch meters was £95. Rather than be involved in this expense, he thought that the council might 'find some alternative means of selling the water. Cr F. W. Archer suggested that the department be approached and asked to provide the meter as it was to be installed for its convenience. The usual flat rate charged for water, said Cr C. Coxall, would bring in £3 4s a month for the 16 houses in the settlement, and the council resolved, as an alternative to the provision of a meter, that a flat rate on the basis of Is per house per week, be charged.