Downlands Water Supply

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20586, 27 November 1936, Page 5

Downlands Water Supply

ITiianiiiioiis Support <®ivrsa

Record Attendance at Pleasant Point

A unanimous verdict in favour of the proposed Tengawai Downlands Water Scheme, which is to supply a wide area of thirsty farmlands with an adequate and pure water supply, was given by a gathering of between 600 and 700 farmers in the Pleasant Point Town Hall last night. Seldom has such widespread interest been shown in a meeting in the township, settlers coming from all parts of the proposed reticulation area to give their endorsement to a project which will be the largest undertaking of its kind in the Dominion. It is estimated that the scheme, which is to be carried out by the Public Works Department, will cost £200,000, the annual sum to be found by the consumers being £7OOO. It is expected to provide work for 200 men for one and a half years. The Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple) intimated to the Investigation Committee that he would be prepared to recommend the scheme to the favourable consideration of the Cabinet, and the meeting by its enthusiasm and unanimity took an important step towards the consummation of something that promises to add considerably to the value of South Canterbury as an important primary producing centre.

The presence of the Temuka Highland Pipe Band was in keeping with the enthusiastic nature of the gathering. a significant selection being “The Road to The Isles.” Mr M. F. Maze, chairman of the Pleasant Point Town Board, presided, and associated with him were Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., who for many years has advocated the scheme, and representative public body men interested in the proposal. Mr Maze expressed pleasure at the large gathering. He did not think that a better scheme had qver been placed before the district in many parts of which there was a great want of water. The Pleasant Point township would appreciate the scheme. Mr Burnett had started the project and he should feel proud of the manner in which he had carried it out.

Mr Burnett said he was pleased to see almost a record attendance in the hall at one of the most important meetings ever held in South Canterbury. The need for reticulation of the district had been very pressing for many years as closer settlement had come about. One of the most important questions that had to be faced if New Zealand was to be held for the white race was that of population, and so far as South Canterbury was concerned the suggested water supply would greatly assist in catering for increased population. With the large degree of unrest in Europe and the talk of war it was anticipated that there would be a wholesale migration from Europe to the shores of Australia and New Zealand, and that night they were engaged in planning for greater settlement in South Canterbury.

Two Major Problems.

The two major problems of the sheepman and farmer in South Canterbury. said Mr Burnett, were the combatting of snow losses in the back country and the periodical dry spells and droughts that came upon the front country. What had been accomplished in the back country since 1895 ? he asked. “Some of us,” said Mr Burnett, “set out after the dreadful exper<ence of that winter to systemise the art of combatting snow losses. We battled for improved leases, security of tenure, compensation for improvements, and encouraged the Mackenzie County Council to perfect a mechanical snow plough.” As the result of these efforts sheep farming in the Mackenzie was 500 per cent, safer than it was 10 years ago. The farming front country had an entirely different problem, the countering and combatting of drougnt effects. They would agree that South Canterbury was a fertile province and that proportionately its average of good land, farming and grazing, would be superior to most similar sized areas in the Dominion. The average rainfall was only 26 inches per annum or half of the Dominion average. From 1931 „o 1936 the average had been only 21 points in the Pleasant Point district and an assured supply during drought periods should be received with widespread satisfaction. They wanted to reduce the handicap of two dry years in five. Even in the lightest dry summers the fact remained that in the absence of adequate supplies of pure water the stock suffered and that on many occasions they had to reduce their carrying capacity and sacrifice their sheep at the saleyards. Support From Minister Since the establishment of the district Public Works office in South Canterbury the present scheme had been evolved said Mr Burnett, and credit was due to Mr T. G. Beck, the district engineer for the splendid work he had accomplished in bringing forward a suggested undertaking which could not be beaten. Although the Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple) was in another political camp, Mr Burnett said he must give him credit for appreciating the value of the scheme to the district and for his desire to help in every way possible in bringing it about. As a result of a deputation which waited on the M nister in Wellington, the committee had a charter from Mr Semple to go ahead. The scheme, said Mr Burnett, would cost roughly £200,000, and the users of the water would be expected to find £7OOO each year. It was a unique

| confidence in him as an engineer. The quality of the water could be described lin one word —“excellent.” 500 Miles of Pipes. Mr Davey outlined the route of the supply in detail and emphasised the value of the reservoirs at various points, which, he said, obviated the use of larger pipes and brought about a saving in cost of £3OOO. The total length of the pipes would be 500 miles and their weight 4700 tons. Their cost would be £llB,OOO and £64,000 worth of them would be made in New Zealand, the labour involved in the making being estimated at £32.000. Road freight would account for £l3OO. while the troughs could be made in New Zealand or locally. The scheme would employ 200 men for 11 years, not including the making of fittings or pipes. It could be readily seen that the whole of South Canterbury was going to benefit before the water was even turned on. In the country areas there would be pipes to each home. The present domestic services would not be altered, the only change being the source of supply. The scheme should be the means of improving the living conditions of the people in the country. Within reason water could be used for watering gardens. There would be a pressure of 561 b at the

opportunity to bring about a bounteous supply of water to the downs. The health of the people was of paramount importance and the supply of pure water was of the greatest importance in ensuring that. It would be necessary In order to carry a larger population that South Canterbury be closer settled and that was where a good water supply was essential. Mr Burnett described the scheme as one of national importance and one which should be availed of to the full. “I ask you in the interests of South Canterbury to agree to this scheme. Details can be discussed later, but the main thing is to go wholeheartedly for something that is going to give you abundant water for these vast farm lands,” said Mr Burnett, amidst applause. Largest Scheme in Dominion Mr A. J. Davey, chairman of the Investigation Committee, referred to the wonderful demonstration of interest which was greatly appreciated by the committee. To some it might seem a long time since the scheme was placed before Mr Semple last February, but he assured them that Mr Burnett had not allowed any member of the committee to go to sleep on the job. The preparatory investigation had taken a great dea( of work. He acknowledged the assistance of the officers of the district County Councils, especially the Levels, where a large part of the scheme was centred. It was the largest downlands scheme to be undertaken in New Zealand—nothing half so big had ever been attempted in this country—and the committee thought it better to make haste slowly and watch the interests of the ratepayers. The committee could now heartily recommend the scheme and they considered that the burden of charge would mean no burden at all. There might be some small anomalies in charges, but that was inevitable in any scheme of that nature.

Pleasant Point Post Office, said Mr Davey. All they had to do to create a sensation was to start a fire and call the brigade. (Laughter.) There would also be sufficient water for an underground drainage scheme for a population of up to 1000, the present population being 580.

The £7OOO a year covered everything, explained Mr Davey, who said that the scheme would be put through, maintained and serviced by the Public Works Department. Serving 3500 people a year the cost would be £2 a head. What could be more reasonable than that? The advantages to be gained more than compensate for

A minimum charge of 5/- would be levied on all properties of less than 10 acres where water could be supplied and not required by the occupier, said Mr Davey. All properties under 25 acres requiring water supply for stock would be charged an additional 20/per annum, including trough service. AU dwellings of five living rooms or less in the water supply area would pay £3/10/- for a domestic water supply. A further charge of 5/- pel' annum for each living room in excess of five rooms would be made. Best Service from Tengawai. Mr Davey gave details of the area to be supplied and said that the holdings were estimated as follow: Levels 965, Geraldine 105, Mackenzie 30 and Pleasant Point 108, a total of 1280. The population in the area could be estimated at 3500. Many sources f

supply were investigated after which the Tengawai was selected as the scheme which would be the best to serve all. He reviewed the engineering facts about the project and said that pertinent questions had been asked Mr Beck about the reliability of the scheme, and he had fully satisfied the committee who had the fullest

the charges that had to be made. The Government was making an offer which should increase the equity and security of their holdings and give them a chance to compete with districts that already had an adequate supply. “The Government is offering you something which the committee can honestly recommend,” he added. County Chairmen's Support The importance of a pure watersupply for stock was emphasised by Mr T. B. Garrick, chairman of the Levels County Council, who considered that the deaths of half of the lambs lost in South Canterbury could be traced to filthy dams, which also had a most detrimental effect on cattle. Out of the £7OOO that had to be found the Levels County would be responsible for £5200. The people however, wanted the water and they desired all concerned to help them to get it. In his opinion the scheme should be handed over to the Government to build and look after and all the consumers had to do to provide the money to guarantee the £7OOO. They owed a great debt to Mr Burnett for the manner in which he had hammered away at the project. It rested only with the people of the district to carry it through. Mr K. Mackenzie, chairman of the Geraldine County Council explained that all that was wanted to set the scheme in motion was a resolution from the meeting. All properties that could be reached were expected to come into the scheme, if not it would be dearer for those who did link up. The Government had suggested the appointment of a water board, but in his opinion they should ask the Government to see the project through. There was not a better engineer in New Zealand than Mr Beck who would be in charge of its construction. The Raukapuka scheme at Geraldine which had been going for 10 years, was an unqualified success. It was dearer than the proposed Tengawai scheme, the success of which was assured before it was started.

Mr P. Kidd, a member of the Mackenzie County Council, emphasised the great value of the scheme. He praised the work carried out by the committee under the capable chairmanship of Mr Davey and the good secretarial work of Mr R. S. Goodman. Mr Beck had done his part of the job well, but behind the committee was a driving force and a master mind—Mr T. D. Burnett. The scheme was Mr Burnett’s master stroke and it should commemorate his name.

Although, said Mr Kidd, the tanks were at present full the gathering should remember that as sure as the sun rose South Canterbury would again be in the grip of a devastating drought. It was a wonderful scheme that should be grasped with both hands. If they valued the welfare of their people and stock there w-s only one answer.

Mr H. Friel, on behalf of the Pleasant Point Town Board, spoke of the great necessity for a fine water supply in Pleasant Point. He felt sure that the scheme was one of the most progressive moves in the history of the district.

Engineer Answers Questions Replying to questions Mr Beck said that the £7OOO would have to be found annually to meet interest and other charges. It would probably be necessary at the end of 35 years to replace the pipes, and by that time there would be a fund in hand sufficient to meet that large cost. It would be possible, he thought, in some parts to take the water to a height of 900 ft. People who already had water on part of their holding and wanted some of it served by the supply, had the right to be heard on the question of exclusion from the rate on that part already supplied.

Mr Beck explained that it would not be necessary for the scheme to be completed before some of the districts would receive benefit. There would be no restriction oh the use of the water providing it was not used unreasonably.

Mr Mackenzie explained that the next move so far as the Pleasant Point township was concerned would be the circulation of a petition asking the Government to go ahead with the proposal. The petition would require the signatures of half of the ratepayers, representing three-fifths of the capital value of the town area. It was not necessary to have petitions in the other areas where agreements to take the water would be sufficient.

Mr W. H. Orbell then moved: “That it is the opinion of this meeting that the Government be asked to undertake the construction of the Downlands Water Supply Scheme as planned for the Public Works Department under the supervision of Mr T. G. Beck resident engineer and that steps be taken to define the special water supply areas.” Mr Orbell referred to the lack of water in parts of the district and emphasised the value of the scheme uO South Canterbury. He compared the past with what was promised in the future, and spoke of the farsightedness of Mr Burnett who was responsible for the lead in the matter. The motion was seconded by Mr A. H. Roberts and carried unanimously. Mr Maze thanked the speakers for placing the proposition before them and also the Temuka Pipe Band for its presence. In moving a vote of thanks to “Bob Semple,” for what he had offered them, Mr Burnett said that Mr Semple wis an emotional man, as he was himself. When the Minister secured a grasp of the proposal he was wholeheartedly behind it. Mr Burnett thanked the chairman and the Pleasant Point Town Boaid for their assistance.

The suggested charges ; were: So 2 bn rt < x: t/j U S cu o a a o K Total Acres 05 £ S Q CQ a Charge £ s. d. £ S. d. £ s. d. 2 — 4 0 0 4 0 0 10 0 6 8 4 0 0 4 6 8 20 0 13 4 4 0 0 4 13 4 25 0 16 8 4 0 0 4 16 8 50 1 13 4 4 0 0 5 13 4 75 2 10 0 4 0 0 6 10 0 100 3 6 8 4 0 0 7 6 8 125 4 3 4 4 0 0 8 3 4 150 5 0 0 4 0 0 9 0 0 200 6 13 4 4 0 0 10 13 4 300 10 0 0 4 0 0 14 0 0 400 13 6 8 4 0 0 17 6 8 500 16 13 4 4 0 0 20 13 4 600 20 0 0 4 0 0 24 0 0 700 23 6 8 4 0 0 27 6 8 800 26 13 4 4 0 0 30 13 4 900 30 0 0 4 0 0 34 0 0 1000 33 6 8 4 0 0 37 6 8 1100 36 13 4 4 0 0 40 13 4 1700 56 13 4 4 0 0 60 13 4 3000 100 0 0 4 0 0 104 0 0