WATER FOR PLAINS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32360, 17 November 1943, Page 3

WATER FOR PLAINS

history of the supplies DEMAND FROM SETTLERS INSTALLATION OF GREAT VALUE The history of the development of both the West and East Water ’ Supplies on the Hauraki Plains has been written by Mr E. A. Mahoney, clerk to the .Hauraki Plains County Council and will be published in these columns in instalments. PART XI. After the experience of the Wdst Water Supply it was decided that the annual charge to all farms should be by way of rate on the unimproved value for ordinary farm and domestic use. During construction a rate of Id in the £ was charged for two rating years, followed by 2zd in the £ for two years. This was reduced to 2d in the £ in 1942-43 and will probably remain at that while values remain as at present. For extraordinary supply and for domestic supply other than farm houses a by-law was enacted to fix charges’. As in the West Water Supply the object was to restrict the charge on farms to a rate only, which would be sufficient to cover annual loan charges, while* charges under by-law and sale by meter to outside consumers were designed to pay the cost of maintenance. So far, the sale of water to outside consumers has been small, but the demand will inevitably increase as time goes on. Four dairy factories are taking full supply at special annual charges and four schools, each with a swimming bath, are also supplied, 500 gallons per child being allowed free in each year. As in the west supply, economy in the use of water, and ample storage facilities are both essential to the welfare of all. There are nearly 800 service connections and were these all drawing at full bore during peak draw-off hours, the consumers at the extremities would have a poor chance of getting water. In consequence storage by way of troughs in paddock's and tanks at cowsheds is demanded by the by-law. All water drawn by dairy factories and schools is drawn at night and stored. Extension of Supply Included in the East Water Supply District was the Puhanga Island Block to the west of the Piako rivei* near Ngatea. At the request of several of the settlers this was not included in the special rating area, but on completion of the construction, the inevitable request for water came. A crossing of the Piako river by a 2iin. pipe-was made. The intake was from jhe 4in. main on the State Highway to the east of the Ngatea traffic bridge. The area of the Puhanga Island Block is 924 i acres and the cost of the extension was £2300. A loan over this small area would mot have been approved by the Loans Board, so that if the settlers were to have watbr other means of financing had to be found. At a meeting of the settlers the writer submitted a proposal which was accepted by’the settlers and approved by the council: — ' (1) The council to lend £2300' for ; construction of the extension scheme, for 10 years interest free. (2) The settlers to repay £230 per annum to the council, each settler’s annual amount to be in proportion to y the acreage of his holding. (3) The repayments to be secured by each settler giving an irrevocable order on his dairy company, binding heirs and assigns. (4) After full repayment the settlers’ annual charge to be adjusted over the balance of the term of the ' East Water Supply Loan, so that their annual charge for the whole period of the East Water - Supply Loan would be the same as those of similar area and values in the East Water Loan. This was .a revolutionary move in local-body finance, but was accepted unanimously by the council as a progressive measure. The Kerepeehi block above referred to, will’ be financed in the same way up to £lO,OOO, ’ interest free for ten years. If I may insert my own, opinion here, I would . say that such measures could only prevail in counties where riding accounts have, been abolished' and public debt, for reading and bridging consolidated over the whole county. Annual Charges The loan o/ £6ooo' is at 3a % per ■annum on a reducing balance, an increasing number of debentures being redeemed each half year. The amount payable annually oscillates around £3350. The area in the special rating . area is 33,600* acres and the cost per acre- per - annum averages about 2s (the charge is by rate, not per acre). The rate levied on the unimproved value is now 2d and provided values do not materially alter, will remain at that amount. The annual charge on 100 acres of

the highest valued land in the area is £l2 per annum and this may be regarded as cheap water for a farm carrying 75 dairy cows and dry stock and for domestic purposes as well. It works out to 3s 3d per cow per annum if charged against the cows altogether. The council members' in 1932 were: —W. Madgwick (Turua riding), chairman; C. W. Parfitt (Pipiroa); W. E. Hale (Kopuarahi); J. A. Jteid (Netherton), A. S. Fisher (Kerepeehi), W. McDuff ’(Horahia),’ J. Motion (Ngatea), J. S. McClane (Waitakaruru), J/ F. Mayn (iPatetonga).

In 1933 *Cr Parfitt became chairman and at the 1935 election Crs. T. A. McClean and F. Pinches.s became members for Ngatea and Waitakaruru respectively. In 1938 Cy. C. W. Schultz replaced Cr. W. McDuff for Horahia riding.

In 1941 Crs. Madgwick, Reid and Fisher did not seek re-election and after the election that year the council was as follows and remains so at the date of writing, September, 1943: C. W. Parfitt ('Pipiroa riding), chairman; W. E. Hale (Kopuarahi), J. W. Neate (Ngatea), A. H. Sutton (Turua), F. Pinchess (Waitakaruru), W. H. Cheale (Netherton), D. G, McMillan (Kerepeehi), C. W. Schultz (Horahia), J. F. Mayn (Patetonga). This history is written on September 14, 1943, at which date the system appears to be in good working order.