BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 1857, 4 September 1923, Page 5

BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY.

DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL.

MORE REPORTS. The ten good men and true, elected by Te Kuiti’s 1483 electors on April 26 last to guide the destinies of their progressive little township for the next two years, spent a useful fiftyfive minutes last night in discussing the borough water supply. At the end of that time they, decided to find out what it would cost to get a report on the present supply, and any suggested new scheme, including filtration and reticulation. The Mayor introduced the subject by saying that any delay that may have been caused was due to every effort being made to obtain the fullest information available. The question to be decided was, whether the present supply could be improved, made permanent, or, should they look for a new and permanent supply “once .and for all.” Councillors individually had gathered a lot of information, and he would suggest that expert opinion be obtained and a comprehensive report furnished to the council on the whole question.

HONOURING A PROMISE. Cr Broadfoot was glad to know that something was going to be done about this very important question, which had been one of the strongest planks in the new council’s platform when seeking the favour of the electors. It was their duty as councillors to see that water was provided to those entitled to a supply. No individual should be forced to provide his own supply when it was possible for it to be obtained through the borough. He would like to see a permanent and comprehensive scheme initiated. Cr Boddie told the council that whilst in Auckland recently he had gone into the matter exhaustively with the Health Department, and had been assured by a very high authority that filtration would absolutely prevent all contamination. This had been proven at Onehunga, One Tree Hill and Otahuhu. No matter from what source water was derived, the Health Department would, sooner or later, insist on filtration in the interests of public health. There was no reason in the wide world why the filtration and chlorination of the present system, provided the “dead were linked up, would not give a permanent and lasting supply. A single filter would put through 7500 gallons, hourly, or 180,000 gallons daily—very much more than would be consumed daily in Te Kuiti for years to come. The borough simply could not afford to go in for any “comprehensive scheme,” as they were fond of calling some new project they seemed to be contemplating. The Mayor interjected that the linking up of the “dead ends” was not going to give a supply on the higher levels. Cr Boddie: I quite agree with you, but I maintain that this borough cannot possibly afford any expensive new scheme at present. I would sooner let the people on the higher levels off their rates than incur such an expense. A filter would cost about £IOOO. Filtration is really de-chlor-ination.

“NOT A FAIR THING.” Cr O’Connell was inclined to think that Cr Boddie’s filtration idea was the most practicable at present. The present pipe line was constantly slipping, and likely to give way any old time. He would prefer to see the new and bigger scheme postponed for twelve months, when the power board would probably be in full operation. Some people were being asked to pay water rates on property where there was no water. This was not a fair thing. If a filtration scheme was undertaken some attention might be paid to reticulation. It might be well, before deciding, to obtain a report on the present supply. Cr Walker: Can we afford to pay for a report? Cr Boddie (sternly): No! Cr Morton said he would like to say a few words on such an important matter. It was no good getting an expert opinion unless they could afford to carry out whatever scheme the expert might recommend. The people on the higher levels were as much entitled to a water supply as anybody else, and they ought to get it. It seemed to him the present supply was a bad one. He couldn’t understand why a supply from the gorge had not been obtained. This was only a mile or so from the town, and he didn’t know why a supply six miles out had ever, been thought of. “BUMPING IT UP.” Cr Peterson endorsed Cr Morton’s remarks, and said that if anything was going to be done, it should be i of a lasting and permanent nature. He would like to see a report obtained—

A Voice: Where’s the money coming from? Cr Boddie: It can’t be done. A Councillor: Borrow it. Cr Boddie: Borrow it. How much security has this borough to offer to

borrow anything. The borough debt is £74,000 now, and— Cr Morton: And you’re going' to bump it up another £6OOO. Cr Boddie: Not at all. Cr Morton: If you ask the ratepayers for £6OOO for streets, you’ll be requested to explain why you haven’t provided for a supply of decent water.

WILL “TELL THEM.” Cr Somerville’s opinion was that what was wanted was pure water, and plenty of it. He didn’t see how they were going to go in for any extensive waterworks just at present. He would like to see the position a little clearer first.

Cr Morton: I hope you’ll tell the ratepayers that, when, at a public meeting, you ask them for £6OOO for streets.

Cr Somerville: I’ll give them my opinion, don”t you worry. Cr Walker pleaded for a supply of “pure, drinkable water.” The Mayor here again suggested that two or three reputable engineering firms be asked to state their charges for a report on the present supply, any suggested new supply, including filtration and reticulation. The suggestion was approved of, and when put to the meeting in the form of a motion, was duly carried. The discussion terminated with the carrying of a motion from Cr Morton to the effect that a special meeting be called to consider the cost of reports, when replies had been received from the firms written to.