Evening Post 29 Nov 1886

The Mayor, and Councillors Edwards, Richardson, Smith, and Brandon, accompanied by the City Surveyor (Mr Loughrey), returned last evening from a visit of inspection to Wainui-o-mata, the object being to obtain information as to the advisableness of securing a block of 2000 acres of land above the reservoir, so as to prevent the destruction of the timber upon it. The party left town on Saturday afternoon, and reached the reservoir after dark. Quarters for the night were provided by the man in charge of the dam. The whole of yesterday was spent in going over the land, which Mr Wakeham has offered to sell the Council, and the visitors got drenched to the skin in the course of the peregrinations. We believe the whole of the party are agreed that if the owner of the property carries out his intention of cutting the timber on the land, the flow of water into the Wainui stream will probably be diminished. Another trip has been arranged for Wednesday, to meet the convenience of those Councillors who could not go out on Saturday.