Correspondence.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 440, 15 September 1904, Page 5

Correspondence.

A PRODIGIOUS REQUEST, TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I notice that, at a recent meeting cf the Alexandra Borough Council, Mr James Rivers made application to have the agreement be-

tween himself ajjd the ratepayers, re the water supplyf altered. This agreement coat fully £SO, and at the time it was agreed to by the parties concerned was considered a just and equitable document, which contained no objectionable clause. Since Mr Rivers has not fulfilled the conditions of the i deed of agreement in a manner to prove I

them arbitrary, if they were so, his request for an alteration is the more astounding. The supply of water since the inauguration of the scheme has been most intermittent and unsatisfactory to the ratepayers, f;om whom MiRivers deserves small consideration on this account. To what avail is it that fines are impeded when the inconVeni~ ence is not removed, Mr Rivers requests the counGii to appoint a man ■ who would visit the site of intake in company with his manager, and provided these men find the supply somewhat less than the amount stipulated by agreement it shall not be considered sufficient grounds for an action at law. As well might Mr Rivers request the council to burn the deed of agreement. And yet again a further request is to the effect that disputes be settled by arbitration. Why not submit them to the tribunal of international law at Hague 1 Who is going to pay the expenses of arbitration? Not the

Borough ratepayers, surely. The present agreement is sufficiently equitable to warrant the council insisting on a compliance with its conditions. Any deviation from the course sanctioned by the ratepayers and agreed to by Mr Rivers is obviously- not desired in the interests of all concerned since it is necessary to our very existence that a regular supply of pure water be assured under attestfd agreement such as that already possessed by the Borough Council. As one who pays a large amount in rates, I may be pardoned suggesting that further consideration of Mr Rivers' application be deferred uutil after the Warden (Mr Burgess, S.M) makes his proposed visit to the water race, and sees the position of mattars as they are at pres~ ent. The council might also take ratepayers into their confidence before the present agreement is altered. In» deed, the whole question is one that should be submitted to ratepayers for an expression of opinion before any definite action is taken towards relieving Mr Rivers of his responsibilities, If it is intended that the Borough water supply should be stored in what is known as the Stockyard dam, the matter would be qne for grave coicerh, as the site is but a natural receptacle for the filth and debris of the ad-! jacent slopes that are frequently deluged by heavy plumps of rain. Water drawn from such a dangerous source would be inimical to health, and a constant menace to the safety and happiness of our homes. Surely the better judgment of the council will prevail ii deciding a question of such concern to the entire municip* ality. The inferior rights to watar possessed by Mr Rivers at the source iof supply would not ensure to the Borough the stipulated volume of water were the other owners of rights from the same source to demand their quantity. It is not too much to expect that, as the lease of the Galloway runs falls in", land suitable for close settlement ' will be surveyed from the present area,.and in sach an event it is only reasonable to suppose that the water rights now owned by the lessees of the run shall be disposed of for purposes of irrigation. It is then that demand would be made for the full supply under superior rights, and the result to the Borough, supply would undoubtedly spell ruin.

In an interview with the council Mr i Rivers hinted at requiring considerable assistance from that body to enable him to cut in. the Mount Campbell race to the Borough reservior. It is evident the Council is not possessed of funds that may be devoted to aiding private enterprise, Residents of Alexandra are already feeling the effect of over taxation as the result of unnecessary extravagance with the funds of the Borough. Ratepayers should t .ke a more hearty interest in their own affairs, and with no uncertain voice protest against methods that are certain to joop rdite their interests in respect to this wretched water scheme. Hoping this letter may have the effect of drawing thoir attention to the matter under notice ; and thanking you sir, in anticipation of space—l am, etc,, Ratepayeb, Alexandra, Sept. 12, 1904.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Can you inform me how it is that tenders hj ve not been called for the painting in connection with the repairs to the Alexandra Town Hall 2 I understand that the Borough Council have only asked for a price from one local tradesman. I have been in possession of rented premises in the Borough for over twelve months and I think that all local men should be given an equal chance in the work. In works of this kind, where public money is being spani, the only fair plan is to call tenders and let everyone have a chance. The work which I have done in Alexandra during the past four years is surely proof that I am capable of performing the work in a thoroughly tradesmanlike manner.—Yours, &c, S R Irwin. i Alexandra Sept. 14.