PROGRESSIVE WANGANUI EAST.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12396, 17 December 1909, Page 4

PROGRESSIVE WANGANUI EAST.

A DRAINAGE SCHEME ADOPTED.

At the meeting wf the , Wanganui East Borough Council last evening the question of inaugurating a drainage scheme was discussed.

Cr. NeilsOn, on behalf of the committee which had been appointed to report on the question, submitted estimates for a drainage scheme. .He said the committee had gone exhaustively into the matter, and had obtained the advice of an expert engineer. ■The total cost for the whole scheme—draining the whole of the settled portion of the Borough—was £7,327 10s 2d..Cr. Neilsbn said it would be possible, if it was needed in the future, to tap the big mains and drain right through to the sea. It was proposed to lay three main drains—Nixon Street (£2,703 8s 6d), Manaku Street (£1,576 13s 9d), Mackay Street (£2,376 5s 2d) 3 making a, total cost of £6,661 7s 5d v which, with engineering and contingencies (£666 2s 9d), would make a total of £7,327 10s 2cl. It was proposed to lay the mains first and then connect up | the side streets as required. It was . proposed to borrow £8.000, which made ! provisionNfor two artesian wells (£500), I contingencies (£SO), interest during construction (£122 9s 10d). The cost to the ratepayers for £8,000 would be £400 per year at 5 per cent., including sinking fund of 1 per cent. The area inI eluded in the proposed special rating 1 area is 600 acres, and the rate for interest and; sinking fund works out at less than 14s per acre. That is on the basis of the unimproved yalue, and it would work out higher on improved sections, and lower on unimproved land; or, on the basis of £240,000 capital value, the rate would be about fd. in the £. Cr. Neilson dwelt on the great necessity for drainage in the borough. The special rating area would bj that part which would be drained. He moved that the necessary steps be taken to borrow £8,000. under the. Local Bodies Loans Act for a drainage scheme for Wanganui East. : Cr Willis seconded the motion', complimenting the 'committee and the Mayor on the estimates prepared. He spoke of the urgent necessity for drainage-

Cr. Burton thought that Crs. should be thanked for their exhaustive report, but he moved that, the matter be held over pending communication from the Wanganui Borough Council as to what terms it would supply water to the Borough. He thought that water and drainage went bantUm-hand. He agreed that drainage was necessary,- but a water supply was necessary for it. Cr. Hill supported Cr. Burton. Cr. i\llen quite agreed with Cr. Burton on the necessity of a~water supply. Some day a fire would occur which would do immense damage. : -■ ■ Other councillors agreed on the inefficiency of the artesian water supply. The Mayor suggested that the.question might be held over. • /

Cr. Neilson thought that it was worth while spending money on a drainage scheme for getting the surface water alone away. In the proposed loan there was an amount of £500 for sinking two 3in. artesian wells. He was riot against Cr. Burton moving that a committee should be set up to go into the question of obtaining Okehu water, but he was adverse to the drainage being postponed for a day. Drainage was now an urgent matter. After further discussion the amendment was lost.

Cr. Burton moved a further amendment that the committee's report, with the exception of that clause, relating to the water supply, be adopted, and that the committee ascertain the" best means of obtaining an adequate water supply and report. Cr. Hill seconded the amendment. Considerable argument ensued on the validity of the amendment. Cr Neilson said he was willing to amend his motion to raise a loan of £7.-500.

Cr. Burton's ;am.endment was again put and lost, the original' motion being carried. — .....

Cr. McCaiil then moved that a committee consisting : of Crs. Burton, Allen, and Benefield and the Mayor be appointed to ascertain from the Wanganui Borough Council on what terms they are prepared: to supply water to the Borough. Cr Willis seconded.

The motion was carried.

Cr Neilson then moved that the special rating area include Sections 90, 89, 77, 63, 78,- and part Sections 61, 62, and 64.

Cr Allen seconded pro forma. Cr. O'Leary moved that the Paul Estate be left but of the area.

Cr Hill seconded; aii'dtlie" amendment was carried.

Cr Biirton moved that iihe-'question of the rating area be left over till next meeting. - - ••-■-■ - Cr Willis seconded pro forma. Cr Nerlson emphasised the fact that this would hang up the work for a month.. ..

The amendment was lost, and the motion, as amended, was carried.