WATER CATCHMENT AREA

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 52, Issue 3767, 10 June 1936, Page 4

WATER CATCHMENT AREA

MORE LAND REQUIRED,

With g_yiew to making provision for a greater catchment area on the eastern slopes of Pirongia mountain to supply water to Te Awamutu, proposals have from time to time been advocated to the Borough Council, with varying success. The subject came before the Council again on Monday evening, and as the outcome it seems that the Council is ready and willing to negotiate for the purchase of land. The Council was recommended by the Works Committee to purchase Messrs Miller Bros.’ land on the slopes of Pirongia to improve the municipal water supply catchment area.

The Mayor said the area was about 70 acres, and though he had hoped the Government could be prevailed upon to acquire the whole mountain side for scenic and forest conservation purposes, that would entail considerable delay, and therefore the Council, was recommended to make the purchase itself.

Cr North said he had inspected the locality only recently, and he advocated purchase if a reasonable price would be accepted. The tentative price mentioned was far beyond its real value- to the Council. Cr Gifford said there are some fine permanent streams immediately beyond Millers’ property, and he regretted that the Government could not be influenced to acquire all the local-

ity. Further negotiations were referred to the Finance Committee with power to act.