WATER SUPPLY

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1936, Page 2

WATER SUPPLY

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

PUMPING V. GRAVITATION

A decision tio apply to the Local Bodies’ Loans Board for sanction to apply for a loan of £IB,OOO for the proposed pumping scheme and renewal of the reticulation service in connection with the water supply, was passed by the Hokitika Borough Council, l»st evening. There were prcs.iat the Mayor (Mr G- A. Perry), and Crs H. L. Michel, J. King,. T W. Duff, A. J. Thompson, A. It. Elcock, E. Teichelmann, H. T. Parry, and E. L. Park. An apology was received from G'r, G. Heinz. There were also present between 30 and 40 residents, principally ratepayers.

A letter was received from the consulting engineer (Professor It. A. Campbell) - stating he considered the terms submitted by Kanieri Electric, Ltd. very satisfactory, ensuring the Council’s interests being safeguarded, and he recommended the acceptance of the terms.

A petition signed by 81 ratepayers was received requesting the Council to make public* the full particulars of the gravitation scheme before going ahead with the pumping scheme, and urging that the proposed agreement with the Kanieri Electric Ltd. be'deferred until this had been done.

A letter was received from the Hokitika Fire Brigade stating it was the unanimous decision that the {Council should give serious consideration to the gravitation scheme, irrespective of cost. Mr- Perry said the meeting had been called to give the public an opportunity of discussing the subject. He invited any questions or statements which might assist the position. He wished everybody to know the Council desired their assistance and co-operation. “I repeat what the Prime Minister asked of the people of New Zealand: ‘I want the. sympathetic co-operation of everyone.’ ” x

Mr J. J. Mclntosh, Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, said the Brigade was strongly in favour of the gravitation scheme. The engineer had pointed out in connection with the pumping scheme. that new reticulation would be required when the pumping scheme was installed, to save loss. The Brigade thought it would be much better to have a direct pipe line from the Lake to the reservoir restored. If a good pipe line were established, with proper grading line, and sufficiently large pipes, the supply would run on a full bore continuously. The reservoir would be full to overflowing, and there would be plenty for fire purposes and domestic heeds even though there iivas a certain amount of loss under the present scheme through leakage. The reticulation-would then not need to-be renewed for many- years. Some parts of the borough piping system had given no trouble at all; others had to be renewed, but these faults could be attended to by the borough staff from time to time, and new sections of piping laid down. If the reticulation were to be renewed, it would have to be done by sections in any case. Mr E. W. Heenan asked what the cost of laying a pipe line from the Lake to the reservoir would cost. The Mayor said the cost would be £16,000 exclusive of supervision, - engineering, and survey, which would cost another £IOOO, a total of £17,000 in round figures.

Mr D. J. Evans asked what revenue the Council received from the sale of water for special purposes, Cr. IT. L. Michel said from 1928 to 1935 the average revenue was £279 per annum. The principal sources were the Railway and Mental Hospital each of which now had its own pumping plant. ;■

Mr Heenan said he noticed that, il the pumping scheme were adopted, Kanieri Electric. Ltd., was to receive an extension of the term of its contract. He said the proposal would bt defeated at the -poll on that clause alone. People considered the extended term too long, and the present power rates expensive, ill a few years a new company might be formed which could provide electric power at a cheaper rate.

Mr H. Harvey said he and Mr F. Ross had collected the signatures to the petition,' and had had no trouble in getting them. “The people chased us,” he said. “They are against the pumping scheme. ” Mr Heenan and Mr Mclntosh asked if the two schemes could be submitted to the ratepayers at the poll. The Mayor did not think so. The poll had to be taken for a loan for one scheme. The Council would put any objections before the Board, and if the latter did not think the scheme advisable they would refuse to grant the loan.

In reply to a question Mr Perry said it had been stated that another company could give a pumping scheme without involving the Council) in so much expense, but he definitely said that statement was not to be taken as an offer.

Mr O. Ross asked if consideration had been given to the mineral content of the water it was proposed to. pump. If it were adopted might not the piping system be affected.

Cr E. Teichelinann said the water from this source was purer than that from the Lake, the mineral content being almost nil. Whatever material was used, the cost of keeping the system up-to-date increased as time went on. Regarding the Lake supply, he mentioned the possible danger of contamination through the increased number of people using the Lake for bathing while stock also entered the Lake. Mr Mclntosh contended the cost of a

new pipe line from the Lake to the reservoir would be about thp same as the pumping scheme. Mr Perry said the pumping scheme would mean a saving of £SOO as against the other?

Mr W. Jeffries asked what the increase in rates would be if the pumping schej’.ne were adopted. “I want the ratepayers to be considered,” he said. The. Council in bygone days had made mistakes, and he could see gentlemen at the Council table who had been party to them'. He thought the ratepayers should support the Council in getting a perfect and up-to-date water supply. The gravitation scheme had his support.

He sought the Council’s assurance that its water rights were in no way menaced by the agreement with Kanieri Electric. The extension of the term meant a .long period, and the obligation would be upon those who would be the ratepayers then, but who bad no say to-day. He did not .want the Council to think he was hostile in “ n Mr W CL Lakin considered the shutting off of the water each had a detrimental | effect of the efficiency of the pipes. The Mayor briefly outlined the position leading up to the steps the Council were now taking. The very dry spell of over a year ago had affected the supply. The latter had always averaged 100 gals per minute throughout this spell, as formerly, but the demand had been far greater. This dry spell had caused a deterioration of the pipes. The Council had come to a stage when it considered it prudent to anticipate trouble rather than await it, and this was the reason for them letting the advice of Prof. Campbell, regarding the supply and reticulation o the town. The schemes, pumping and gravitation had each been submitted, and the pumping scheme had finally been agreed upon. Pumping was use! in Wellington, Greymouth, and other places, and there had been no complaints, even in dry spells, lhe reliability of electrical pumps was beyond belief. Kanieri Electric had agreed to a charge of £312 per annum in return for the extension of their contract. This was very reasonable when it was seen that Greymoutli paid over £IO7O last year, their population being double that of Hokitika. Kanieri Electric had not been able to charge, nor did they so desire, any excessive price for power. By comparison with other towns of similar size, Hokitika was treated extremely favourably by the Coy. There had been foolish talk that the Council were to surrender their water rights in return for the service from the Company. That had never been considered. The Council’s rights were amply safeguarded by legislation. The Council had the rights to eight heads (if water, but they only used about half a head.

The condition of the piping system in the borough had become such that the present position was very insecure. The pumping scheme, which would give them all they needed at a minimum of cost would mean an increase of from 20 to 25 per cent in the rates, but if a line were put in from the lake to the reservoir, it would/ increase the rates-by 35 to 40 per cent. Owing to the nature of the ground, Prof. Campbell had said the Council might have trouble in keeping the line intact. In reply to Mr Jeffries, the Mayor said a loan for the pumping scheme would be practically assured, but it would be very difficult to secure a loan for the gravitation schenie. At certain fixed periods, tlie Council could decide to take over the Kanieri E’ectric supply, but in view of tue policy of the Minister of Public Works regarding ,big hydro-electric schemas, he did not see why the Council should no.t ask the Government to take over the Kanieri Electric supply. The Council, he said, had no intention of abandoning the pipe line from the lake unless compelled to.- it would be maintained so that, if the pumping scheme did fail the Council could go ahead on the gravitation scheme. Regarding the reticulation, the Council has given the matter every consideration, but the pipes deteriorated so much that they could not let the position go on ( much longer. Cr H. T. Parry said there was an impression that the pumping scheme itself was to cost £IB,OOO whereas it wiould cost only about £IOOO. You have to have new pipes, and they will cost the balance of £17,000. A new pipe line from the Lake does not give any security against a further disaster such as last year. The pumping scheme would put all the water that was needed into the reservoir. He salj that there was not likely to be any stoppage as they had two power stations and the Diesel to ensure continuity.

He detailed the pumping scheme used at the Westland D<vry saying it gave entire satifaction.

The Mayor pointer out the final decision rested with the people. Mr Mclntosh said that, as superintendent of the Fire Brigade, he .would feel much more secure with a good pipe line from the Lake than with any pumping scheme. Such a scheme had been the downfall of the mining ventures f>t Ross Flat and Lawsons Flat. “Pumping is the last scheme. You, only pump when you can’t gravitate.”

Cr Teichelmann said the pumping wmld bo a stand-by. The gravitation was there for all time.

Mr Perry said if he could see his way clear,, lie would go to the Lake, but lie did not think they could do it. Ci' Parry agreed with this.

Mr Heenan: What is the condition of the pipe line from the Lake to the reservoir to-day ? The Mayor: Pretty dangerous. On the motion of Messrs Heenan aiid Mclntosh a vote of thanks was

accorded the Mayor for his explanation of the position.

Mr Perry said he appreciated the sympathetic co-operation of the people. If there was a difference of opinion it was an honest one.

The Council then held the special meeting for which it had been called j and on the motion of the Mayor and Or. Thompson it was decided to seek the Loan Board’s permission to apply for the loan.