A WATER SUPPLY.

Patea Mail, Volume XXIX, 18 December 1908, Page 2

A WATER SUPPLY.

Meeting of Ratepayers. Approve of Putting Down a Bore. There was not a very large attendance of ratepayers at the public meeting convened by the , Mayor in the Borough Council Chambers last night to discuss the question of a water supply. The Mayor said they were all acquainted with the object of the meeting. The Rev. Mason had visited the town, and in his opinion water could be obtained in two places. He wished to ascertain the ratepayers* opinion as to whether the Council should go, to the expense of putting down a bore at one of the places indicated by Mr Mason. The cost of this should not exceed £SO or £6O, and if water was not found this was all the expense the Council would be put to. Personally he believed water would be found. A borer had supplied an estimate of £35 for putting down a two inch pipe for 200 feet. Mr Mason had considered water would be struck at a depth between H'o and 300 feet. The question of augmenting and improving the Fire Brigade appliances had beeu considered, and the lowest estimate of duplicating the present supply and putting in a fire engine was £I,OOO. The scheme now before the Council would provide a snppiy which would suffice to cope with any fire in the town. The cost of a water supply woald bn £4,000. It would provide for supplying the whole town. Mr Mason had said they could get a supply of 200,000 gallons a day. Mr McKenna asked if the Council favored charging a water rate. The Mayor: Yes. Dealing with the question ef rates, he said a water supply could be installed without any increase over the amount of rates paid a few years ago. In 1004-05 the rates were 2g 3-£d, this year they were Is 9gd. The loan would necessitate a 6d rate. Mr Paterson ; Would the present water rate be continued. The Mayor ; Yes, it would have to ha. There is IS years to run, and th ere is a sinking fund attached. Mr Ramsbottom suggested putting down a 3 inch pipe instead of a 2 inch pipe. Mr McComisky asked if the Council had any idea of the price of the land. The Mayor said nothing had been done but he had made satisfactory arrangements with the owner in regard to putting down a preliminary bore. There was considerable discussion over the question whether a rate for use of water should be struck. The Mayor, quoting from the Municipal Year Book showed that practically all Boroughs struck a water rate or made b charge for the use of the water. Mr Ramsbottom moved that the Council proceed with the work of puttiagdown a bore. Mr Glenny seconded the resolution. Mr Kennedy asked if the meeting had any power to authorise the Council to go on with the work The Mayor explained that there was no necessity for the Council to have consulted the ratepayers oa the matter but they bad done so out of courtesy. Thu resolution was then put and carried. The Mayor said they did uot know when they could get on with the work as the borer who had written them couid not come till March. It was possible, however, they might make arrange-

ments elsewhere. Mr L. Adams asked if the present scheme included drainage. The Mayor said no. A rough estimate hart been give n that a. drainaga scheme cor’d be installed for £3OOO. Mr Adams thought that the ratepayers would favor a drainage scheme being- inchided.