TOWNSHIP WATER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22585, 13 March 1948, Page 3

TOWNSHIP WATER

RUATORIA PLANS SECURITY OF SUPPLY BUSINESSMEN'S DISCUSSION (Her ald Correspondent.) Regarded as most important among the subjects discussed by the Ruatoria Chamber of Commerce at Monday’s meeting was the report submitted by Mr. E. J. Hamilton, on behalf of the works committee, on the project to supply the Ruatoria township with permanent water. The meeting was well attended. Mr. Hamilton outlined the proposals which had been placed before the Waiapu County Council, which had been acquainted with details of the whole proceedings to date. A reply from the dairy factory also had been received couched in the form of a questionnaire regarding which the chairman of the Waiapu County Council had undertaken to collect all the information and then present the facts to a representative meeting of all parties concerned. Illustrating how essential it was to go ahead with the scheme, Mr. Hamilton referred to the fire in Ormonds motors’ premises, which, if it had not been brought under control, might have proved disastrous to both the theatre ana the hotel, thus incurring a greater loss than the total cost of the scheme. Volume of Water “There is one disquieting fact, the volume of water flowing from the springs has dropped considerably on the last three weeks,” added Mr. Hamilton. _ “Nevertheless, the present capacity is still four times greater than that normally required to supply the town.” Supported by Mr. Parr and Mr. Akers, Mr. Hamilton opposed an alternative suggestion transferring the scheme to the Waiapu River. He envisaged a small concrete dam 30ft. by 30ft. by Bft., which would be filled during the period that the pumps were not m action, and which could be constructed at little more cost than the .well required in the alternative scheme.

Mr. Dudfield sounded a note of warn mg.

| "If the present scheme be adhered to, I the advice of a professional man should jnot be overlooked,” he urged “The present drought, which is the most severe probably in the last 25 years, lias put the water supply to a most searching test. The volume of water appears to have dropped very considerably and a further three weeks’ drought may reduce the available quantity another 50 per cent. Mr. Dudfield added that a further test would be carried out at Easter. Ruatoria Street Lighting

Reporting on the progress made to date 011 tne question of street lighting, Mr. Parr informed members of a special meeting held in Messrs Williams and'Kettle’s offices of all' Ruatoi'ia businessmen agreeable- to the undertaking. Questions were raised as to the manner of lighting and the hours of light to be provided. After further discussion, it was the decision of that meeting that the initial cost of the installations be borne equally by all the businessmen of Ruatoria as all would partake in the benefits.

In the discussion that followed it was the general feeling that as there were only seven poles to light at an approximate cost of £7 10s each, there were no great financial difficulties to prevent the matter being brought to some finality before the winter. On the motion of Mr. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Moroney, the matter was referred to the Retailers’ Association for its consideration.

Enlarging on correspondence received from the Cemetery Board, Mr. McCosh advised that a man was already on the job, but the board required further support from the public. The council usually made a grant of £lO per annum .if applied for. but this would be insignificant compared with the more approximate sum of £3OO required. A motion that the Cemetery Board be asked to request the Waiapu County Council to make payment of this grant retrospective was withdrawn on the grounds that these payments were entirely voluntary on the part of the council. A lengthy discussion followed when the chairman referred to a portion of the Herald report on the previous chamber meeting, which, though correct, was capable of misconstruction. Mr. Akers was of the opinion that the matter of a resident doctor for Ruatoria had neither been discussed nor approved by the chamber and it was only fair to state this. It was the concensus of opinion, however, that the reflection of any glory on the chamber from the Waiapu Hospital Board was

not harmful, and a motion from the chairman that the discussion be discontinued was carried unanimously. In view of the doubts felt by some people about the Food for Britain campaign, Mr. Henderson suggested that the Rev. W. Bird. Waipiro Bay, might care to give a talk on the subject. Mr. Parr approved the suggestion, and a motion by Mr. Akers that Mr. Bird be asked to address the chamber at its next meeting, which would be a ladies’ night, on the food for Britain campaign was passed unanimously.