More Info →Borough of Shannon part 1

Description

WHAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL ARE DOING.
In August of last year, as a result of an agitation that had been proceeding for some time, that portion of the Horowhenua County known as the Town of Shannon was converted into a borough. Those who have watched the district's progress for some years predict for it a prosperous future. A council consisting of Messrs. W. Murdoch (Mayor), B. Spencer, S. W. Carter, J. H. Fargher, W. H. Gunning, T. Gardner, G. Hook, M. Moynihan, and J. Richardson was elected, and its members held their first meeting on 22nd August, 1917. To Mr. Murdoch the honour of being first Mayor of the town belongs. He had formidable opposition for the position, being opposed by Mr. Hennessey, chairman of the Foxton Harbour Board, who had shortly prior to the contest taken up his residence in Shannon. Mr. Murdoch was born in Invercargill, and is known in Wellington and elsewhere for his strong political leanings to the Labour cause, and it is more than hinted that he intends to contest the new seat, which will include Foxton; Shannon, Tokomaru, etc., at the next general election.

EXTENT OF THE BOROUGH.
The extent of the new borough is approximately 900 acres, and when the last valuation was made by the County Council, some years ago now, this area was valued at £117,000. When the new valuation is made it may probably be nearly double that amount.

THE COUNCIL WILL MARK TIME.
It is the council's intention, according to the Mayor, to mark time for the present, the main object being to keep the borough clean, and the rates as low as possible until the war is over. As soon as convenient after that a loan will be raised for the inauguration of a water supply and drainage scheme. So far as water is concerned, a splendid supply is available in close proximity to the town, and this scheme should not be a great expense to the borough.

THE QUESTION OF DRAINAGE.
To provide drainage for Shannon it is stated that natural conditions are again favourable, and with small expense a good fall to the lake can be obtained.

RATING.
The rating will be on the capital value, and the first rate struck, for which the notices are shortly going out, will amount to one penny halfpenny in the pound. In addition to this there is a small levy for sanitary services. It is evident the councillors will not countenance, anything in the shape of rash expenditure in any direction until peace is declared.

ELECTRICAL POWER SCHEME.
It is generally agreed that there are immense possibilities in Shannon's future. Mention has frequently been made of the possibilities that are latent in the hills at the back of the town in the way of procuring, at a comparatively small cost, a supply of electrical power which would suffice not only for the flaxmills in the locality, but also for lighting power for towns all along the Manawatu Line, as well as for Foxton and Palmerston North. To those who may feel interested in the source from which it is proposed to obtain such energy, a short description of the Mangahao River and the proposed route may be of interest. The Mangahao is a tributary of the Manawatu River ...It rises in the Tararua Mountains and flows in a northerly direction through an elevated gorge in the hills adjoining the parent river near Woodville. The banks are very high, and are covered with beautiful virgin bush. In many places the rocks rise to a great height on either side of the stream, thus giving facilities for the erection of the necessary dams for the head works. The Tokomaru River, which is also included in the scheme has a parallel course, being separated from the Mangahao by a high range. The scheme briefly consists of diverting the Mangahao through a tunnel, and taking the combined waters through, a tunnel or series of tunnels to a point at the extremity of the range near the Shannon East road, about two miles and a half from the township, and at a very high level. Thence the water would be carried in pipes to the foot of the range, where the turbines and power-houses would be situated. Having performed its service, the water would return to the Manawatu River via the Otarau stream, which flows into the ... >> continued in part 2 <<

Identification

Date

March 6, 1918