WATER FOR PLAINS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 57, Issue 3983, 19 April 1948, Page 5

WATER FOR PLAINS

WAITAWHETA SUPPLY FAVOURABLE REPORT -COUNCIL TO INVESTIGATE A comprehensive and favourable report on the possibility of the Hauraki Plains county participating with the Paeroa borough in the proposed Waitawheta water supply was presented by the county clerk, Mr E. A. Mahoney, to the April meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council.

The report read as follows: — “ The committee appointed by the council, Messrs Parfitt, McMillan, Cheale and the writer, conferred with the Paeroa Borough Council and Ohinemuri County Council on the question of a joint water supply from the Waitawheta source.

“ When this was first mooted about two years ago, it was approached by this council as a project for reticulating the unwatered portions of the county. These extended in a patchwork from Awaiti south round through Patetonga and Kaihere to the Pouarua block west of Ngatea. On March 29, 1946, I issued a confidential report to the council showing the impossibility of these unwatered areas carrying the financial burden which would be involved. Water Shortage

“ I think every councillor will agree that the water shortages of the past two seasons justify approaching the problem from a

different angle altogether. At

every meeting of the council the burning question is where to get more water, both for the existing supplies and for areas bordering the existing supplies which are clamouring for water. This urge comes from both east and west,

and shortage of water on the Waitakaruru canal road together with the certainty of having to find water for the Pouarua block is continually being stressed and

justifiably so. “ Your committee thinks it has found a lasting solution and while it has not committed the council in any way, it has made a tentative arrangement with Paeroa Borough Council which will now be submitted for your •consideration and decision.

“ A schedule compiled from distances and estimated cost supplied by the consulting engineer, Mr R. Worley, is attached and explains in detail how the recommendation of your committee is arrived at. In brief it is

“ i Paeroa Borough Council must have water and whether this council participates or not, intends going ahead.

“ 2 —lt is estimated that a 10-inch main from a given intake will supply Paeroa’s requirements for many years, perhaps all time. “ 3 Hauraki Plains requires water to supplement its existing supplies and to give water to surrounding areas.

“4 A 10-inch main will not (iel.wi sufficient water to the county bmindary at Ngahina bridge after Paeroa borough has drawn its requirements, and th? intake proposed by Paeroai borough for its own use will not give sufficient head for Plains -v<m. •- - ments.

“5 — Consequently, to meet ?•;• ■ requirem' nts, tie intake will i,a. ■ be higher up the Waitawheta. and the 10-inch main increased i“ -:ze to 15-inch. “6 Paeroa Borough Council is nrepaied to pay three-fifths of the of this 15-inch main from the j- * posed intake at Kennedy’s to the Pae-

roa Post Office, a distance of approximately 8 miles 32 chains if the Hauraki Plains County Council will pay the other two-fifths of the cost. “ 7—At the Paeroa Post Office the interest of Paeroa borough ceases and an extension of the 15-inch main to Ngahina bridge would have to be installed at the expense of the Hauraki Plains County Council. “ To sum up so far: Paeroa borough will pay a considerably greater amount than Hauraki Plains County for a 15-inch main from the intake to the Paeroa Post Office, but will have first pull on the main for its requirements which will probably be a maximum of 450,000 gallons pel -4 hours, out of a total of 1.900,000 gallons per 24 hours which the main is estimated to discharge. The cost of an extension of the 15-inch main to

Ngahina bridge would be paid for by Hauraki Plains County. “ That brings us to the county boundary. Nobody would suggest tha: such an expenditure would be justified without continuing with a 10-inch main to the corner of Wilson’s and Awaiti south roads where it could be linked up with the east water supply six-inch main running north and the four-inch main running south. En route to this corner an enhanced supply to the two-inch main on the Old main road would supply settlers on Rangiora road, hitherto not linked up. The existing two-inch main on Wi.- ' son’s road could be removed and in linking up Ngararahi stopbank road and the Pukahu block. Probaoly

thirty new consumers could be supplied at little cost to themselves ’lor reticulation. “ It is estimated that the total cost to Awaiti-Wilson’s road corner would jnot exceed £50,000. To bring this I within reach of the consumers concerned, it would have to be reduced to £25,000 by way of subsidy. If this could be achieved the annual charge on a loan of £25,000 at per cent, on the annual redemption principle lover a term of 30 years would be

'£1375- The committed recommends ithat this should be a charge on the | two existing water supply districts. The rateable value of these districts is as follows: East £393,720; West '£164,090; total £557,810. ! •• A rate of Id in the £ would proJduce £1162 and the balance of £213 could well be found from the sale of ''water. A few examples will snow tne effect. The rate in money won! >e £9 is 8d per £lOOO of unimproved

value, but the majority of larm- m both supply areas are of a kr unimproved value than £lOOO. “Examples: ('anal road. :da,.aruru, property values range • !<>m £199 0 for 122 i acres to round to' 1 > -<>r 70 acres which would lie limbo •Jvely to £2 10> lod to 21 per

annum. •< l.aiger holdings in each d:str.ct. !'• pi: <,a. 200 at ••es. value ‘-2 m'. rate £5 3s lid per annum: Nvatea. !bl acres, value £l9BO, i ate £1 2- «',d per annum; Ngatea. 134 :i; ' H '• UL £l9OO. rate £3 19s 2d per annum;

treasurers and to Mrs Ganley lor nei services as pianiste. Solo items weie given by Mrs J. Mitchel], who sang Schuoert's “ Serenade ” and by Mr G. Pinnick. "I Follow the Plough.’’ A short choral practice brought the evening to a close.

Kopuarahi, 212 acres, value £2510, rate £5 4s 7d per annum; Horahia, 287 acres, value 3180, rate £6 12s 6d per annum; Horahia. 161 acres, value £1920, rate £4 per annum; Kerepehi, 256 acres, value £3135, rate £6 10s 7<i per annum; Netherton, 196 acres, value £2700, rate £5 12s 6d per annum. “ These figures will go to show the ratepayer what he is to pay. should the scheme materialise, for an all time adequate supply of water, as against the present uncertainty and recurring shortage. “ I shall tabulate other factors bearing on this proposal:— “ I—The Koterepoupouai stream project could be dispensed with and the cost (probably £BOOO to £10,000) 'devoted to the proposal. This cost, barring subsidy, would have been on the east water supply district. “ 2—Proposed duplication of the Waihou river crossing could be dropped as the necessity for it would no longer exist. A supply from Waitawheta would ensure that nobody would be without water, although the supply in the northern area would be restricted, that is in the event of the river crossing breaking. “ 3—Breaks on any part of the system causing a disconnection of large areas as at present could be localised during repairs. “ 4—The supply over the existing districts would have to be linked up to take full advantage of this new source. Nobody would be likely to object if there was plenty of water. Each district would still carry its present loan liability and rate viz: West 3Sd rate loan, expiring in 1967; east 2d rate loan, expiring in 1968. “ s—From the layman’s point of view it does nqt seem impracticable that the two eastern sources should supply the area to Dalgety’s corner and along the State highway southward to Ngatea. rt 6 —This would leave more than ample water for the balance of the west district and also enable it to include the Pouarua block.

“ 7—Patetonga is too remote to be supplied through this proposal and appears to be a subject for a local supply from the Waikaka stream when the time is opportune.

“ B—An extension of the Waitawheta supply to the Lands Department’s properties via Torehape road would be a matter for the department to consider and is certainly not within the scope of a supply scheme sponsored by the two existing districts. The watering of these lands may have a bearing during negotiations for subsidy, but with a splendid source available the department is not likely to be unreasonable.

“ 9—Any other smaller areas wishing to participate would have to arrange finance for their own mains. These might materialise in the south Wirihana, Pukahu and Awaiti south blocks and the area between Phillips’ and Kaihere ferry. “ May I say that the present water reticulation has been described as ‘ patchwork ’ and the council’s past policy in water supply drastically criticised. However it may be regarded, the council’s past policy was

dictated by the desires of the ratepayers and could not be avoided. Here now Is a golden opportunity to weld the patchwork into one vast system without doing an injustice to any one consumer and with sufficient water available to radiate from the main scheme to all areas, excepting Pate-

tonga, which wish to avail themselves of a fresh water supply. “ I have so far in this report dealt with possibilities only. For these to materialise the council will necessarily have to depend on:— “I—Sound engineering estimates. 2—A contract performed within the estimated cost. 3—The goodwill of the Lands Department. 4 —Subsidy

of £1 for £l. s—The consent of the ratepayers. 6 —The sanction of the Loans Board.

“ Gentlemen, the proposal is outlined above, but was approved in the following form: ‘That the proportion of cost of 15-inch water supply main from proposed Kennedy’s intake to Paeroa Post Office be as follows; Paeroa Borough Council, three-fifths; Hauraki Plains County Council twofifths.’

“ I interviewed Mr Ralph Worley at his office in Auckland and asked him to give me estimated costs on present day prices as I desired to place a full scheme before you. These costs are somewhat higher than those submitted to the joint meeting at Paeroa. The distances are also appended:— “ Distances: Proposed intake at Kennedy’s to Paeroa Post Office, 672 chains; Paeroa Post Office to Ngahina bridge, 175 chains.

“ Estimated costs: Fifteen-inch main, Kennedy’s outlet to Paeroa Post Office, £lOO per chain; also fifteeninch main Paeroa Post Office to Ngahina bridge probably at £9O per chain on account of easier country; ten-inch main, Ngahina bridge to Awaiti South road corner, £5O per chain.

“ Kennedy’s to Paeroa Post Office, 672 chains at £lOO, £67,200; Paeroa three-fifths, £40,320; Hauraki Plains County, two-fifths, £26,880. “ Paeroa Post Office to Ngahina bridge, 175 chains at £9O, £15,750 Ngahina bridge to Awaiti South road, 180 chains at £5O, £9OOO. Total, £51,630.” Cr. J. F. Mayn said that the clerk had stated the position very concisely and he thought it would appeal to the ratepayers. He thought the proposition a good one and he described the scheme as a “ good move.” Cr. D. G. McMillan said the great future ,of the Waitawheta scheme was assured water for a century to come. He spoke highly of the work of the county clerk at the conference at Paeroa. His suggestion had made it possible for the scheme to be planned so that the Hauraki Plains could participate. Cr. McMillan said the scheme half as cheap as he had expected. He thought ratepayers would welcome the report as a solution to the problems of the Hauraki Plains as far as water was concerned.

Cr. T. O’Carroll spoke in support of the scheme. He congratulated the clerk on his report and Cr. McMillan or the interest he had shown in the matter. He had done a great service to the Hauraki Plains.

The chairman, Mr C. W. Parfitt, said the report was a good one and the terms equitable. If the scheme was made use of the pipelines on the Plains would have to be altered. He would like to receive a report on the cost of revising the pipeline before coming to a decision on the Waitawheta scheme. He thought the scheme was within the reach of the council provided it went the right way about it.

On 'the motion of Cr. Mayn the clerk’s report was adopted and the council will proceed to investigate the question of subsidy in the proper quarter and also confer with the Lands Department officials. Seconded Cr. McMillan, and carried. The chairman moved that the report be submitted to Mr E. F. Adams for a report as to the cost of adopting the proposed Waitawheta supply to the existing mains and also his estimate of the water which a ten-inch main from Ngahina bridge to Awaiti road will discharge so as to escertain whether the suggested ten-inch main will supply all unsettled areas included in the report. This was seconded by Cr. Schultz and carried.