PLAINS WATER SUPPLY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume VL, Issue 3149, 19 March 1934, Page 5

PLAINS WATER SUPPLY

THAMES COUNTY OBJECTION.

MATTER TO BE FOUGHT.

The Thames County Council, the holder of water rights over the Apakura (Puriri) stream, from the Warden’s Court, having failed to come to terms with the Hauraki Plains County Council, which desires to use the water for supplying the eastern part of Hauraki Plains, the Plains Council has decided to fight the matter in the courts if necessary.

At Friday’s meeting of the council the following letter was received from the Thames county clerk: —

“I am directed to state in reply that my council regrets that your council could not see its way to accept one or the other of the two proposals submitted. As my council will ultimately require a water supply from the Apakura stream, and has, in its efforts to assist your council, cut down, that supply to a three-inch connection, it is of opinion that it cannot go further.

“My council recognises that it has a duty to protect the requirements and interests of its own ratepayers and considers that it would not be justified in asking them to be at the expense of a pipe line from your proposed dam site to the Canoe Creek.

“I am further directed to state that the offei' contained in my letter of 14th ultimo still stands good, or alternatively, as a final effort to assist your council, my council is prepared to consent to your council erecting its dam on the site where my council intended erecting its dam; your council making provision for my council obtaining its 3-inch connection therefrom. ”

In reply to Cr. Reid the clerk said that the Thames council’s dam site was below Canoe creek. The Plains dam was higher up where 100 ft. more fall could be obtained. To agree to the suggestion would mean increasing the size of the mains in order to give the supply necessary on the Plains.

Cr. McDuff suggested not bothering with the Thames County Council any further but apply to the Court.

The chairman said that there were two courses open and he was of opinion legal advice should be taken as to which course of action should be taken.

This was decided upon and Mr Hammond was asked to wait upon the council. The conference was taken in committee.

On standing orders being resumed the following recommendation of the council-in-committee, was adopted:—

That Mr F. E. Hammond be instructed to take steps to obtain the water rights over the Apakura stream. ”