CASHMERE HILLS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10417, 22 March 1912, Page 1

CASHMERE HILLS.

QUESTION OF IMPROVEMENTS. A meeting of the ratepayers of the Cashmere Hills district was held last night to consider' proposals for water supply, drainage and road improvement. Mr George Scott was in the chair, and there was a good attendance. The chairman said that the Heathcote County Council had prepared a scheme, and this would be submitted for approval, as well as schemes for rating. Under the new scheme the water rate would he 10s lid a year instead of, as at present, £o, But the scheme would require to be wholly accepted or rejected. The engineer's report on the scheme stated that it would be impossible to do anything permanent out of the rates, as at best only the worst part of the work could bo put in hand, the roading of the hills would take years, and oven then the regradin£ of Dyer's Pass Koad would bo left undone. It was proposed to grade this road properly and channel it. The grade would be considerably lessened. The main road, if allowed to remain in anything like the present state, would retard the advancement of the whole of the Cashmere Hills. It would also l>e necessary to attend to the culverts to convoy the storm water to the natural watercourses before it had attained sufficient velocity to cut up the roadway. With the exception of two small extensions, the whole of the drainage was upon the Hackthorne side of the riding, and the rate would onlv affect the section west of Dyer's Pass Road and also the new grounds opened up by the Cashmere trusters. The method of dealing with the sewage would be by means of a septic tank and filter-bed. and a convenient site had been located j^ lo -iT--^i o °t the Hackthorne Koad. With regard to water supply, it would be necessary to lay out a complete new scheme, as the present system was too small. The existing reservoir at Hackthorne Road, and also the "'4" main fmm the Pumping Station, could be used, but it would ho necessary to put down two more "G" wells and also a new o ] ising main on the Hackthorne iijnI f 'a!! lTolr ' !lou ' reservoir to hold 90,000 gallons would be required, lhree turbine pumps would be desirable for raising tho water. The estimated cost was £7776 10s for tho proposed road scheme, £4806 10s for drainage, and £5817 for the water supply. A comparison of the rates of individual ratepayers under the present scheme with what they would pay under the proposed scheme showed in the majority of cases that a .substantial decrease would result. -Mr A. F. Wright spoke against the proposal, expressing the opinion that tho scheme was too ambitious. He doubted the possibility of lowerincr the rates in spite of increased expenditure.

In reply to a question from Mr R. 31. Laing, the chairman explained that tho general rate would be 1-1(3 of a penny in the £ less under the scheme,, this result being brought about by the diminished cost of upkeep. A general discussion on the subject followed. Speakers stated that it was nrcessary for time for consideration to bo given before the matter was voted upon. The chairman explained that the present septic tanks would be done away with, as they were a menace to health, and their place would bo supplied by the new system. A by-law would be passed in two months' time prohibiting septic tanks. Mr Booth moved—" That this meeting of ratepayers of the Cashmere Riding approves of the scheme proposed. It, was moved as an amendment—- " That that part of the rural land that is not situated within the area covered by the drainage and water s-'chome be excluded from the road scheme."

The amendment lapsed tor want of a seconder., The motion was carried with one dissentient. At the conclusion n hearty mta of thanks was accorded the chairman.