WATER FOR PIAKO COUNTY

Matamata Record, Volume XX, Issue 2019, 23 March 1939, Page 7

WATER FOR PIAKO COUNTY

ENGINEER’S REPORT Government Subsidy Wanted . The dry summer has. stimulated interest in the proposal put forward by the Piako county engineer, Mr. 13. H. Horner, for the supply of water to 600 farmers in an area of 60,000 acres of the county. At the Piako County March meeting the engineer reported that a test carried out at the Waiorongomai stream after 46 days of dry weather showed that 1,600,000 gal-

lons of water was flowing over the weir. This was double the quantity estimated to be required to supply water to a large area of farm land in the Piako county.

Cr. D. Johnson said he was satisfied that such a scheme as this would - come sooner or later, and it was reassuring to farmers to know that the - water was there. It was just a question of financing tlie • scheme. ‘'• The chairman, Cr. W. C, Kennedy, ' remarked that the investigations carried out under instructions from the council had brought out three facts—(l) that sufficient water was therd> . (2) that the water was of good quality, (3) that there was a demand from farmers for the water. Cr. W. A. Rushton said his farm atiKiwitahi- .road was supplied with - water from the Morrinsville borough water supply for 9d per 1000 gallons, with a minimum of £lO a year, which he never exceeded. He was well, satisfied. : •. " • The clerk commented that thecounty engineer had promised farm- 1 crs :n the eastern part of the county water for 83d, per 1000 gallons, but the farmers considered this was too - dear. On the other hand, Cr. Rushton was satisfied with water at 9d per 1000 gallons. It was resolved to get in touch with Messrs. W. S. Goosman and J. M. Allen, M.P.’s,. asking them to inquire from the responsible Government officials in Wellington what subsidy would be available. The engineer thought there would * be a good chance of interesting the Government, which was desirous of »" r* * .* * a increasing production. The County Council had a definite scheme for increasing production on the farms which could be supplied with water. At present the Government knew nothing of the scheme.