TEMUKA WATER SUPPLY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13833, 19 February 1909, Page 7

TEMUKA WATER SUPPLY.

HIGH PRESSURE PROPOSAL REJECTED'.

A public meeting was held in the Volunteer-'Hall, Temuka, on Wednesday night to discuss the advisability of installing a high pessure water supply for the borough lor household and fire prevention purposes-. • . The Mayor, Mr Buxton, presided and referred tortile two schemes reported in these columns sonic months ago, namely, Mr A. Frew's pumping scheme and reserve station, and. Mr F. W. Marchant's gravitation . scheme. He quoted figures to show the amount of progress made in the borough during his occupancy of the Mayoral chair, from 1903 to 1909. There was no doubt that the borough valuations had wonderfully increased and he quoted the figures to enable ratepayers to' judge' of the cost to the borough and the probable rate required for either scheme. On the platform with the Mayor were Mr F. W. Marchant, Councillor A. Frew and Mr E. Cutten, Town Clerk. Mr Marchant referred to Mr Frew's scheme, which he considered- a very good one Tivhich could be installed at a lesser cost than the gravitation scheme, but he thought the saving in first cost would be eaten up in upkeep, as compared with the gravitation scheme. He fully explained the advantages and also read the proposals embodied in Mr Frew's scheme. Mr Frew addressed the meeting on the merits of both schemes, and a lengthy discussion ensued on the pros and cons and financial aspect of the proposals, Messrs Gibson, Twomey, Dr Hayes, Martin and Lashlie taking part. Finally Dr Hayes moved that /the present position of the town financially and the population, do not warrant the proposed expenditure on a high pressure water supply.—Four votes were '•"r-ordod in favour of the motion and three against. The meeting was not characterised by any great, enthusiasm and only about 30 persons were* present during the whole of the proceedings.