City Waterworks Loan Proposals

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 45, 24 February 1936, Page 9

City Waterworks Loan Proposals

DISCUSSION AT WEST END The loan proposals were discussed at last wee”s meeting of the West End Progressive Ascsociation. The matter was introduced by Mr Schwabe who, in quoting figures relative to the capacity of the Heretaunga street bores, explained that the statistics had been used at the Terrace End Progressive Association’s meeting. Judging from those figures, it would seem that the bores were drawing from the same strata. It was a matter which would no doubt bo of interest to ratepayers. Mr Robertson said that when the council originally raised a loan of £14,000 a large portion of the amount had been expended in replacing mains and had not all been spent in sinking the artesian wells. Ho had noticed that Wellington, Hastings and other cities were now sinking artesian wells, and he was of the opinion that the wells in Herctunga street had served tho city excellently in view of the increase in population. Of the proposed £BOOO loan, £4OOO would be expended in installing larger pipes, and he was in favour of both schemes. Mr Schwabe: It is only portion of tho full scheme. Mr Eobertson: Yes, £90,000 has been expended on tho Tiritea scheme and to complete it will involve another £147,000. When completed the scheme will meet the needs of a population of 34,000. Mr Schwabe: That is only six or seven years away. It is a question of which loan tho ratepayers should support. The chairman stated that tho Mayor had been informed that there was enough water at Tiritea to meet tho needs of the city provided the water could be restrained. He, personally, did not favour either scheme, for he felt that although the £14,000 loan expenditure was part of tho £117,000 required to complete the major Tiritea scheme, if the loans were turned down a better scheme might be evolved. It was evident that the northern residents were not altogether favourable to the artesian water.

Mr Eobertson pointed out that the tank at Heretaunga street waterworks was capable of holding only 100,000 gallons, whereas tho now tank would hold 300,000 gallons. Tho pumps would operate at night and the tanks and mains should bo always full. Mr A. E. Penketh: Is it that wo are short of water or is our reticulation at fault? Mr Schwabe: Undoubtedly our reticulation. Mr P. A. Warren: The trouble is that we have no expert advice on tho pros and cons of tho matter. Mr J. H. Dalziell: This scheme was first advanced during Mr P. J. Nathan’s term as Mayor. All these loans are part of tho major scheme. The artesian bores are merely bluff. The City Council has got to get a 21-inch main all the way from the city to the dam at Tiritea and then the new dam will follow. "There is enough water there to meet Palmerston North’s needs for years to come,” added the speaker. The discussion then lapsed, the chairman stating that he would not ask the members to vote on the matter.