RATEPAYERS MEET

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 255, 26 September 1929, Page 2

RATEPAYERS MEET

VARIOUS MATTERS DISCUSSED.

WATER SUPPLY QUESTION. The Borough loan proposal for an artesian water supply was discussed at a meeting of the Palmerston North Ratepayers’ and Electors’ Association last evening, the following resolution being carried:—“That this associate gives full support to the artesian water loan proposal which is to be placed before the ratepayers of Palmerston North.” Mr A. W. Sutton considered that the association should support the proposal, which he considered- to be a step in the right direction, for it was designed to improve the water reticulation on the higher levels of the town. Further, the installation of an artesian system would give an assured supply at a time when there was likely to be a shortage pf water. Again, there was the possibility of an interruption in the Tiritea supply through a break in the pipe line or the collapse of the Fitzherbert Street bridge. Mr Sutton added that, if the association did not support the artesian proposal, it was faced with the alternative of supporting the gravitation scheme at Tiritea. This had been put to the ratepayers three times already and rejected. It would cost £200,0C0, while interest and sinking fund on this amount would be £II,OOO, with the certainty that, before the work at Tiritea was completed, the supply would be inadequate for the needs of the town. He would strongly oppose any further expenditure at Tiritea, except in the direction of increased filter facilities. Mr F. O. Amos supported Mr Sutton’s contentions. Answering Mr H. J. Grover, Mr Sutton did not think that there was sufficient water at Tiritea. Eventually they would have to go to Poliangina—the borough engineer and the consulting engineers agreed on that. Mr J. Winton : The council has cut the water off during the summer —a time when we wanted it—and the water was running over the top of the dam at Tiritea. I am dead against spending money at Tiritea. What has been spent there would go a long way towards getting water from Poliangina. It is only a matter of a few years, and we will have to go there, anyway. Tho motion was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. HOKOWHITU LAGOONS. Lying between the Manawatu River and the Hokowhitu district are long stretches of stagnant water, commonly known as the Hokowhitu lagoon. Mr Sutton outlined a scheme for beautifying the lagoons and the formation of a promenade on either side of them for about one and a half miles. He considered that an artesian well could be sunk at the Rualiine Street end of the chain of lagoons and, by utilising a fall of 12 feet between that ponit and Fitzherbert Avenue, persuade water to run through the now stagnant stretches to an outlet in the river. The landowners on whose property the lagoons lay would, in all probability, be prepared to allow the Borough Council to take over the water, while the speaker proposed that a stretch of laud a chain wide on either side of the lagoons should be purchased for the purpose of constructing a promenade walk beautified by trees and shrubs. By this means, ho was of the opinion that Palmerston North would become possessed of yet another beautiful reserve, which would add further to the attractions of the town. If the Borough Council could be persuaded to take up the matter before the Hokowhitu district became too closely settled, the scheme would be greatlysimplified, and it would be much easier to acquire the property required. He estimated that it would bo necessary to purchase a strip of an approximate length of 2000 chains at an initial cost which he placed in the vicinity of £2OOO. The meeting decided to form a deputation to wait on the Borough Council in connection with the matter at that body’s next meeting. BOROUGH RESERVES.

Exception was taken to the recent action of the Borough Council in allowing the Hokowhitu School Committee the use of a portion of a borough reserve adjoining the school, in order to facilitate the erection of school baths, the council having expressed its willingness to allow the committee the use of the land at a peppercorn rental. Opinions were expressed that the school did not really require additional land and that the reserve should be preserved for the ratepayers. “Personally, I am strongly in favour of swimming baths in the Hokowhitu area, but I do not think it right that the school should take over portion of a reserve when there are other sites available,” commented Mr Sutton. It was considered by. others present that the school had already ample ground for the erection of swimming baths without taking over portion of a reserve. Air Amos pointed out that the school would have only the temporary use of the ground. The Education Department would have no rights over the portion of the reserve which it was proposed' to allow the school children to use. No action was taken. GENERAL.

“If we could let it be known that we are not only an association for destructive criticism but also for constructive criticism as well, the public would take to us more kindly, ’ said Mr Grover. The action of the Borough Councii in setting aside the sum of £SOO for expenditure on Milverton Park was noted with satisfaction. The Association decided to recommend to the Borough Council that the present George Street parking area for cars be abolished as a danger to traffic. It was also decided to request that a deep depression in the road by the old Hokowhitu lagoon bridge should be filled in, as it was considered that it also constituted a danger to traffic.