WATER SCHEME

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32873, 23 June 1947, Page 5

WATER SCHEME

PAEROA BOROUGH SUPPLY

MEMBER AT MEETING DRAFT BILL EXPLAINED A special meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council was recently held to outline the proposed Waitawheta water supply scheme to Mr A. S. Sutherland, M.P. for Hauraki, who is to present the council’s empowering bill to Parliament at its next session. Mr Sutherland had been asked to attend the meeting so that the borough solicitor could explain in detail the draft bill, and answer any questions on points on which Mr Sutherland might not be fully informed.

The main matter to be dealt with, said Mr Edwards, opening the meeting, was the Waitawheta water supply. The Paeroa Borough Council had started a scheme which would suit both the Paeroa Borough Council and the Hauraki Plains County Council, but the borough had found that there was a certain amount of diffidence on the part of the Hauraki Plains County Council, Mr Edwards explained for the benefit of Mr Sutherland. The Paeroa Borough Council was very anxious to get the water, and it felt that it could have expected more expedience from the Hauraki Plains County Council. Mr Edwards pointed out that it had been necessary for the Paeroa Borough Council to go into the matter with various Government departments to present the matter to them and to get their advice on it. The first step that the borough had to take in obtaining the water for the borough was the revocation of the sludge rights in the Waitawheta stream. The borough was not asking anything that would interfere with the part of the stream that would affect mining at Karangahake. The part of the stream involved was above the area in which mining was done. There should not be any difficulty in having the revocation of the sludge rights, said Mr Edwards. ’ He pointed out that already the Mines Department was in agreement that the stream was the most suitable for the purpose the borough proposed to put it.

He outlined the facts that Mr R. P. Worley had been engaged to prepare the plans and to make estimates of the approximate cost and amount of water available and required by the borough. Mr Sutherland, said Mr Edwards, would have to present all, the information that the council had on the matter when he brought the empowering bill before the House, and he had been asked to visit the council so that he might learn how the land lay. Mr Edwards said that he felt that the Hauraki Plains County Council would eventually come in with the Paeroa Borough Council on the scheme, and the borough council would welcome them and their assists ance. However, the borough had to proceed alone with the scheme because the matter was desperate. In the summer, Mr Edwards said, the position was dangerous. Mr Sutherland said that he thought that it was wise to have all the information that he could when he brought the bill before the House. Mr C. N. O’Neill, the borough solicitor, read the draft bill clause by clause through to Mr Sutherland and pointed out the parts which in his opinion would be most likely to be opposed. Mr Sutherland took note of them and asked Mr O’Neill to explain any points on. which he was not certain.

Mr W. N. Chamberlain asked after the bill had been read through how long the council could have the rights to the water before it began to use the stream, provided the bill went through as the council planned. Mr O’Neill said that there would be no hurry needed once the bill was passed, and the council would not be limited to time.

Mr C. C. Webb asked how long it would be before the bill would come before the House.

Mr Sutherland said that it would probably be early in the next session, that was within about,two or three months. It was customary for a local body presenting such a bill to send as representatives while the bill was being dealt with, the mayor, the town clerk, the council’s solicitor and the engineer.

Mr J. H. Walmsley asked if the bill could be opposed by any mining interests.

Mr O’Neill said that although that was possible it was not probable. If it were to happen it would be referred to the Mines Department, and it would have to be something of a national scale that would affect the bill.

Mr Chamberlain said that as the scheme was included in the' teri-year plan for the district he thought that it would go through the House quite 1 easily. Mr' Sutherland said that he' aritifcipated no difficulties in its passag'e.-