PUBLIC MEETING AT KILLINCHY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4343, 25 March 1882, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT KILLINCHY.

A public meeting waa held -in the Eillinohy schoolroom on Tuesday last, for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of continuing the Hororata water-race through tho Duneandel and ' KiUinchy districts. Amongst those present were Messrs W. D. Lawrence (in the chair), >B. 8.. Willis,- R.. M'Neil, H. M.'fLee, P. Campbell,-. Junr., J. M'Leod, H. M. Scott, J. 3. King, B. Douglaß, M. O'Brien, and 0. T. Dudley. Mr Lawrence, having stated tho- reasona why the meeting had been oonvenedy further • said that the money granted by< Government for the Hororata water-race had been all expended; that no rates had been levied upon those through whose ■ land the water' ran, although he thought that eventually they would have -to pay rates. -The coßt per mile for construction waa £20; and 24 Sd per yard for flumes. He had been, to Eirwee,. and was etrucb-with the improved* appear' ance of those lands through which the water passed.

In answer to* aome questions as -to- what lands it was propoeed the race should be made to pass through, Mr King. stated that Government was desirous » of -'obtaining a grant from the owners of auch lands, whioh had hitherto been refused by them. After the subject had bean well discussed; Captain Willis adviaed those -intereated not to be in a hurry with ' carrying >_' on* the drainage, until -it had been- fully decided' which way the race should < be carried'} -.what the cost would be'; how farms lying at a distance from the race would! obtain their supply of water; what the probable*' supply to eaoh farm would be; how it -i was -to be adjudged; further, who was. to make the branohes; what would be the- probable amount of rate charged for the use of the water and for oleaning and maintaming-the race; and, especially, whether- at could be satisfactorily shown that the: head supply of the water from the Hororata would be Buffi; cient to supply the settlers at a distance of about 24 miles from the source.- He might state that his own land was very-dry, and he would be only too glad to -have a good supply of water from the race, so that although be was advising them not to take*ny decisive measures on the matter juat yet, he would be very glad to ace the scheme successfully carried out. He would advise them-to consider the relative and permanent;cost of the race with that of obtaining water by> windmills and tanks. He stated that a large cement tank with two concrete troughs, conneotcd by iron pipes with ball traps, together- with windmill, pump, and other necessary appurtenances, could be put up for less than £65. On the motion of Mr •P. :■ Campbell, seconded by Mr C. T. Dudley, Messrs.-Law-rence, M'Leod, Scott, Dudley, and Lee were deputed to wait upon the County Council to make full inquiries, and to explain the necessity there is for the Hororata •> water-race being extended, through the' above-named districts.

Mr M'Leod suggested that th 6 first 'step made be to seoure the servioes of a competent engineer to report on the best line for the race to be carried through. A list of questions were given to the deputation to be submitted to the CountyiCouncil. It was further resolved that after the deputation bad returned from ■ its ■ interviewwith the Council, a meeting should be called: for it to report upon the same. . A vote of thanks having been pawed to the Chairman, the meeting adjourned.