Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, May 6, 1873.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 182, 6 May 1873, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, May 6, 1873.

Continuing our article of last week, we come now to subjects in connection with the town more particularly—subjects that should be brought before the Provincial Council during the session that may almost be said to lie now in progress.. And first in importance is the subject of water-supply for the town. The Municipal Council, at its last meeting, cursorily considered the ; matter. But, despite the grandiloquent enthusiasm manifested by more than one member upon the subject during the election in August last, and despite the fact that they had had ample time to examine the Municipal Waterworks Act, and ample notice of the intended meeting of the Provincial Council, it was evident from what transpired at the meeting that not one of the members had made himself acquainted with the nature or provisions of that important measure : a measure which, as we pointed out in an article some time ago, is so exactly suited to the case of Cromwell. We have no desire now to say a word as to the features of the different schemes of water-supply which have been laid before our local Council ; except to say that, notwithstanding the reports of engineers and the doubts of Town Conn cillors. Firewood Creek holds the highest place in our estimation as the source of an economical and perennial supply. But

regarding the source or scheme, the Town Council have not made up their minds yet; and indeed have not made up their minds that Cromwell can afford to borrow money for the purpose of any scheme of watersupply. ' Lawrence, in the particular of advisability of borrowing, sets them a good example. There the Corporation propose to borrow £SOOO ; and surely Cromwell may venture to borrow £2OOO. But, at any rate, we feel justified, in the interests of the ratepayers, in finding fault with the Council for the extreme apathy they have displayed regarding the whole question. Whilst matters of trivial importance have engrossed an undue share of attention; whilst questions the most paltry have been discussed time after time, the highest duty devolving upon the Council—the duty of providing means for promoting the health and cleanliness and comfort of the citizens —has been almost entirely neglected. We should have thought that common sense and common prudence would have saggested to the minds of our municipal representatives the expediency of taking the initiatory step to enable them to avail themselves at a future time of the powers and privileges granted and conferred by the Act we have referred to. No scheme of waterworks can be legally entered upon —no money can be borrowed—no waterrate can be enforced—except in conformity with the provisions of the new Act; anti before the Act can be taken advantage of, it must be brought into operation by means of a Provincial Council Ordinance. And if our local Council further delay a decision beyond next Thursday evening, it may then be concluded, almost with certainty, that the session will pass over without anything being effected towards bringing the Act into operation as regards Cromwell. What that means, our townspeople need hardly be told : it means a continuation of the present manner of supply at least through the whole of next summer, and in all likelihood through one or two 1 esides. For it is quite unreasonable to expect that any improved scheme can be undertaken by the Corporation unless they borrow money for the purpose ; and to borrow is impossible except under the Act referred to. Other subjects there are ; but none of particular importance, or that may not be dismissed with a few words sufficing simply to keep them in remembrance. The Athenaeum Endowment and Racecourse heserves will lie secured by the bodies under whose province they come. The main road through Cromwell needs no slight repairing; and this is a matter in regard to which the Corporation have already gone into communication. A gran'■-in-aid for a Hospital is required, and will hardly be refused ; and a vote for new police buildings is already half-promised. The Corporation bye-laws are a dead letter wanting ratification by the Provincial Council; but while their provisions affect the liherty-to-do-as-they-please of the members of the Municipal Council r o less than that of the townspeople in general, the ratification, t is thought, may well be delayed.