WATER FOR RUAWAI

Northern Advocate, 21 October 1935, Page 2

WATER FOR RUAWAI

DIFFICULT PROBLEM QUESTION OF FINANCE. OTAMATEA COUNTY CONSIDERATION. One of the major problems^confj.o ing the Otamatea County Counch the Ruawai water supply, ana ceived a thorough airing at Wecmes day’s meeting of the counci . A long report tabled by Mr Reid, assistant engineer, caused JP tracted discussion, during re d. aspect of the question was cons the Recognising the vital < ; once^ c;flll deRuawai settlers in the velopment of the scheme, the cou , although unable to help finance , doing all in its power to devise a wo able plan. Mr Reid’s report said that after co - sulfation with the Public Works • ~ partment, it was decided to call ires tenders for a guaranteed supply* the specifications the whole responsibility was thrown on to the contractors, who had to find their own sources of supply, and tender in accordance with various conditions outlined in the specifications. The following tenders were received:— . W. A, Carter, Ruawai:— Supply m the vicinity of Messrs. G* and R* Coates’ property at Te Kowhai, and within a radius of two miles towards the north and west. For artesian supply, not less than 25,000 gallons for 24 hours, £250; for pump supply, than 50,000 gallons for 24 hours, £250; for artesian supply, not less than 50,000 gallons per 24 hours, £750; for pump supply, not less than 100,000 gallons per 24 hours, £750; for artesian supply, not less than 72,000 gallons per, 24 hours, £1000; for pump supply, not less than 150,000 gallons per 24 hours, £ 1000. All water in excess of 72,000 gallons artesian or 150,000 gallons pump supply, -to be paid for at the rate 'of £ls per 1000 gallons artesian, or £7 10/- per 1000 gallons pumped, provided only that this extra, quantity should be needed and used. 'The £250 for the 25,000 gallons artesian, or 50,000- gallons pumped, is to be paid when these quantities are proved, even though the whole scheme might be scrapped. The above terms and prices are to apply to any supply on Mr T. E. Donovan’s property, provided the council can arrange access, Mr G. R. Burgess; Arapohue:—Supply was mentioned in several alternate positions in the Tokatoka region, and Mr Burgess stipulated that. should the council wish him to bore on Mr Donovan’s property, they would have to arrange for access, as he had been' unable to come to terms with Mr Donovon. This tender complied with the specifications. - . Robertson Bros, and S, Qilberd’s tenders were not in accordance with the specifications. The tenders were submitted to the Water Committee, who recommended accepting Mr Carter’s proposition, but said they could hold out no hope of assisting with 'the raising of tfie necessary money/to lift the : Government subsidy of £3OO £ for £. Although in the first place, Mr Donovan had allowed Mr Carter to conduct boring operations on his property and had assisted in' the inauguration of the scheme in every way, he nowrefused to allow any further operations, until he had an agreement with the council, the following being the conditions he has laid down;— (1) The council is to be satisfied with a water right, instead of purchasing the land.

(2) The right is. for two or three years, at an annual maximum rental of £3OO, with the council to have right of purchase at end of this term for £2OOO.

(p) In the event of the supply failing within the period of the lease, and the council being left without water, any claim for damages is to be fixed by arbitration. In the event of sufficient water being left, there is to be no claim for damages. (4) He reserves the right to have all water for his own use free of cost, and the council is to supply two five-chain leads. (5) A reservoir site on the hill is to be definitely fixed to his satisfaction.'

(6) He reserves the right to be present at all boring operations and take what samples he requires, 'free of cost.' (7) In the event of work proceeding under present specifications, no statement therein is. to be binding on him. On October 15th, Mr Carter’s proposition was inspected, in company with Mr T, M. Wright, and it was agreed -that the supply on Mr Donovan’s property should be further investigated before proceeding with the Te Kowhai scheme. Owing to the fact that Whenuanui is the centre of the dry area, a supply at Tokatoka would be considered more advantageous than one at Te Kowhai. Also, in the event of the Hobson County and the Dargaville Borough proceeding with a major scheme, the pipes at Tokatoka could be linked up at a small extra cost.

■ Cr, Davidson: “I have had a conversation with Mr Donovan on this matter, and from what he told me I gathered that the council had been prospecting for water without any authority. The terms, of course, are ridiculous, but they at least form a basis for negotiations.” Mr H. M. Reid: “When we, have proved the quantity of water available we can then talk about agreements. At present the whole suppl3 r is suppositious and we have nothing definite to negotiate on.” Cr. Davidson: “It seems to me that too much has been taken for granted when calling, for tenders. The owner should have been interviewed first.”

The chairman: “I understand permission had been, given.”

Cx'. Preston: “At a meeting held on Donovan’s property, everything .seemed all right, and' I understood we could go ahead. Before the tenders we re called, I understand Mr Reid saw Mr Donovan on several occasions.” Mr E. G. Aickin: “Now that tenders have been called and' the council knows that water is available, the best course to adopt would be to go to Mr Donovan and say we are willing to make an agreement.” Ci'. Preston said he favoured starting at the Te end, but the as-sistant-engineer said the cost would bo double the estimate..

Cr. Davidson suggested appointing a small committee to negotiate with Mr Donovan, and Mr Reid agreed that the latter was entitled to some payment for his asset, but any agreement would only be tentative, as the supply was not yet tested. The chairman: “The council and the Water Committee should try and come to some agreement ns to the value of the water, and then submit the figures to the Public Works Department.” Mr Reid then read a letter from the

Water Committee, advising acceptance of the Te Kowhai scheme on Messrs. G. and R. Coates’ property, but said it was impossible for them to raise the £3OO required for further prospecting work, and suggested that the council apply for a free grant. The chairman: “£3OO will not be enough. It will take £1000.” Mr Aickin: “The position is that we will have to raise a loan, and we cannot raise the loan until we know the water is there, and we cannot find that out until we spend £ 1000.” Mr Baff said the thing to do was to find out if the Government would give a £3OO free grant. If they would not agree, he did not see what could be done, as a deadlock would have been reached. Cr. Littin said that from what he could remember, the council had said they would help the settlers. The scheme was growing into big proportions, and the council should, go very carefully, otherwise they might bo landed with heavy expenses. In the first place, the council was to lend the services of an engineer to help the Water Committee, and now they were asked to shoulder responsibility. “The figures are very considerable,” con- j eluded Mr Littin, “and people should | try and help themselves.” j Mr BafT: “It is imperative to have some concrete proposals to lay before the Government when asking for the £3OO free grant.” The chairman moved that the tenders be sent to the Public Works Department, with a request for comments on them, and that a committee be appointed to meet the Water Committee, Mr R. H. P. Ronayne, District Engineer, and Mr Donovan, at Ruawai. and discuss the whole matter. The chairman and Councillors Preston and Scott Davidson were appointed.