PROGRESS IN COUNTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17846, 29 July 1921, Page 7

PROGRESS IN COUNTRY.

WATER AND DRAINAGE.

OVER £200,000 BEING SPENT. MORRINSVILLE AND MATAMATA. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORBESPOM>E3TT.J HAMILTON. Thursday. Striking evidence of the manner in which country districts are realising the value of a permanent water supply and sanitation is shown by the fact that water and drainage schemes to cost £201,000 are in progress or contemplated, at Morrinsville, Matamata, Paeroa and Putarura. Messrs. Lockie Gannon and Worlev engineers, of Auckland, have all these schemes in hand, and a Herald representative was able to inspect the various works this week. At Morrinsville a gravitational water supply is nearly completed. A dam has been constructed in the Topahaehae Stream, in the Maungakawa Hills, about 11 miles from Morrinsville, and the water is carried in an Bin. main almost in a straight line to the town. There will be a supply of 500,000 gallons per day, which will "be sufficient for a future population of 9000, the present population being abont 1400. The water, which is proved to be of excellent quality, and the pipe-line to the town has to pass over four concrete bridges and through three tunnels. There will be a pressure in the town of 1401b. per square inch. The original scheme, which provided for a 7in. main, was estimated to cost £45,000, bnt as the dried milk factory required 200,000 gallons per day, an Bin. main was substituted, which is estimated to bring the engineering cost to £50,000, or within the 10 per cent, allowed by law. A large catchment area, consisting of heavy bush, has been purchased by the Town Board. The water is now within two miles of the town, and is expected to be available in a few weeks. The Morrinsville ratepayers have also sanctioned the raising of a £44,000 loan for drainage, and directly the money is available a start will be made with the work. A Natural Dam. Matamata's water supply scheme, which is estimated to cost £30,000, is well under way. The headworks are near the Wairere Falls, 10 miles fi*>m Matamata, but in this case, owing to the presence of a natural dam, it was not necessary to construct an artificial one. However, owing to the density of the bush and the precipitous nature of the country, it has been very difficult to transport materials, packhorses having to be used. The worst of the work is now completed, and the trench has reached open country. The Waihou River has to be bridged '"to carry the pipes. The reticulation of the town is nearly completed, and now that pipes are coming to fcand rapid progress will be made with laying the mains. Farmers along the route of the pipe-line will be supplied with water, and provision has also been made, whereby the adjoining township of Waharoa can be supplied when required. The scheme is expected to be finished abont the end of the summer. « Matamata is also initiating another progressive scheme, a loan of £30,000 having been raised for drainage. The pipes are already on the ground, and a start will be made with in the near future.

Paeroa's Drainage Scheme. Great progress is being made with Paeroa's drainage scheme, a loan of £42,000 for which was sanctioned by %e ratepayers. The system is designed on the latest principles of sewerage precipation and discharges into the Ohinemuri River. A septic tank with a storage capacity of 1200,000 gallons is now finished, and the pipes are ready for laying, so that ere long Paeroa will be able to take advantage of a, highly necessary convenience. Putaruru is also making a progressive move, the Putaruru Development Board having commissioned Messrs. Lockie Gannon and Worley to design a water supply scheme.that will meet the demands of-this growing district. The engineers' report shows that a scheme can be installed for £5000. TheM«f>roposed source of supply is the Oraka Stream, from which water will be jumped by a turbine into a reservoir on Trig Hill. The repojt is now under consideration by the board.