BOROUGH IMPROVEMENTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9101, 20 March 1901, Page 4

BOROUGH IMPROVEMENTS.

« MR MESTAYER MEETS THE COUNCIL. Mr Mestayer last, evening interviewed the Council with reference to what he has done so far m connection with his report on the water Bupply and drainage scheme m conection with which he is at present making enquiries. He said that he had visited the Waihirere and Repongaere sources, and had that day been up to the Maungarueka stream, and had also incidentally looked into Mr Hill's suggestions as published m the Herald the other day. He had also seen the Waipaoa, Waimata, and Waikanae sources, but he had not yet seen Caulton's creek, and he considered from information received that it was not worth going to see. — The Mayor : It is not. — Mr Mestayer. , said that Barker's springs were also not worth, considering. He had also seen the shingle beds which he understood were not likely to be considered. He had not seen or heard anything about the Roto-ta. — The Mayor: There is nothing worth, considering there.— Mr Mestayer said that he did not know anything about Wharekopae, nor Hangaroa nor the Tiniroto lake. They were the onljj^three <on the list that he knew nothing about. The Waikaremoana lake he understood was 60 miles away, and the place Mr Todd referred to was about 30 miles distant. It was very certain that there was an ample supply at the Maungarueka stream where they had been that day, and itwas 19 miles distant. It would provide an ample supply for the whole of Gisborne. The Waihirere, he considered, was capable of supplying 12,000 to 18,000 of a population with 50 gallons per head a day. Before he gave more definite data, he wanted more accurate levels ; and he wanted the Council to authorise Captain Winter to take levels at once, m order that he might be able to get information of the capabilities of Waihirere. A detailed survey should be made of the actual area and a flying area of the water-shed, to determine the area. In the absence of these data, he could not determine what the true capacity of the stream was. They had taken levels with an aneroid so far, but as the pressure varied during the day, the levels were only approximate. With regard to pipe lines, 12in pipes would be sufficient to bring the water m from Waihirere, and from Mr Lysnar's source, which was rather more than double the distance, ' 16in pipes would be required to bring the same quantity of water into Gisborne. It was assumed that the top of the falls m Mr Lysnar's scheme were on the same level as the top of the falls at -Waihirere; but, " as he had pointed out, each had been taken by barometer readings. They were practically about the same; but when proper levels had been taken, they would be able to see the proper position of affairs. At present he could not give any more positive information unless he had more exact, data, and these he would ask the Council to obtain for him. — Cr Nolan thought that they should authorise j Captain Winter to do what was requested. In fiict, he thought that if the Mayor had authorised the work without reference to the Council, the Council would have endorsed his action. He moved that Captain Winter be authorised to do the work required, and Cr- Jones seconded.— Cr Joyce supported the motion. — The Mayor said with Teference to the Maungarueka scheme, there was .no doubt it offered the best flow of all the waters he had seen within the same distance of Gisborne. It was practically Waihirere multiplied ,six times. — Mr Mestayer: Quite. — The Mayor said it resolved itself into a question of engineering and finance. It was twice the'distance away, and would cost two or three tunes more than Waihirere. If the Engineer could get all the detailed information, and after going carefully into the scheme could satisfy himself that there was sufficient supply at Waihirere for the next 20 years, and that the water would be a gravitation supply, he thought that that was really what they wanted Mr Mestayer to do. If he were not able to satisfy himself on this question, then the Maungarueaka was the next 'best place they could get, provided the engineering difficulties could be surmounted. It wouln require a very considerable increase m the size of the pipes t% bring the water twice the distance from Waihirere, as it did to bring from Waihirere itself. — Mi* Mestayer: It would take 16---inch pipes, as against 12-inch, and double the length. — The Mayor: Then the flow of water there is excellent — the best I haye seen anywhere about the place. He had no doubt that it was sufficient for"30,000 people. Mr Fairlie, who had gone with them to the place, said he had never seen half the quantity of water anywhere else. He supposed that there would be no doubt, if only Waihirere were iv that place. — Mr Mestayer: Not. the slightest. I would sa.y, "Go there at once. ' ? — The Mayor said it was an excellent water-shed. The property was all Native land, quite m its natural state, and provided all other things were equal, a better place would not be suggested. Distance and expense would be the" matters that would decide the question. The water was all that could be desired. The country was m its natural condition, and if decided on should be protected. — Mr Mestayer : A beautiful scheme, but- ' a beautiful price.— The Major said m reference to the levels that both sets were wanted for a guide. — Mr Mestayer said, m reply to the interjection of a Councillor, that the undertaking to get the levels would not be a big one.— Cr Jones suggested obtaining information from Captain Winter as to the suitability of ths country for the construction of a resjervoir at Waihirere.— The Mayor said there was nothing whatever there to assist m making a> dam. Everything would have to be conveyed there. — Mr Mestayer said that 16-inch pipes would cost approximately £4000 per mile.— The Mayor: That -is m addition to the cost of a reservoir .at _Waihirere. — Mr MestayerT That has got to be an earthen drain. You have no rock there, ..and there does not seem to be any clay. Continuing, he said that the ' water at Waihirere was all that could be desired. At Wuihirere there were two very good rites for a reservoir, — Cr. Hepburn referred to the abnormally wet summer that had been, experienced m this district. He had known times when Waihirere wonld not fill a 4-inch pipe, let alone a 12-inch. —Mr Mestayer pointed out (hut there was ten or twelve times the stream showing above the falls. Below the fall the river appeared to lose itself. He said that he had no gauges to work .upon, but would be guided by the rainfall, of which he hikd obtained a. monthly record for the last 23 years. He would .work out the supply from that as soon "as he knew the exact area of the water-shed. — Cr. Johnston asked if the Waihirere scheme should be adopted, and oo* prove adequate, whether a supply could not be brought m from Maungarueka. — Mr Mestayer said that would be possible. — Cr. Joyce suggested, if necessary, the utilisation of other creeks. — Mr Mestayer said it could be done, but he did not think it would be necessary. -Mr Mestayer said he had not been able io do much with drainage yet. — Cr. Joyce said there was a strong prejudice against put tine nightsoil m the sea. Such a scheme would be adverse to the opinion of ratepayers generally. — Mr Mestayer said he would give his views as to the matter when he had gone into it thoroughly. He had not gone into the BKittcr m detail, and he thought they had better let it stand till then. As soon as he could he would lay his view before them, and would deal with the question m all its phases.