MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 832, 30 July 1910, Page 10

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

Sir, —Ko new mains duplicating from Wainui-o-niata. Seeing that our present supply is through 21-inch pipes, in tho event of putting a new pipe from Wainui to city of Wellington, would it not be advisable to go in for a 2ft. Gin. or 3ft. main?- Our present population of tho city of Wellington to-day will probably doublo itself in 20 years. Would a 2ft. Gin. or 3ft. main with the old mains there today be sufficient in that time? Then again, if our present pressure is 2801b. to tho square inch on tho high levels' what would bo the pressure on the mains if this now system were carried out? During Mr. Ilislop's term of office this city were asked for .£IOO,OOO to" complete tho new reservoir at Solomon's Knob, and to group the other reservoirs in and around Wellington on tho high levels. This loan was rejected by the Wellington people tho first time, and then after the fire in the centre of the city, when they i'ouud their pressure insufficient,' and the lire brigade's new appliance was not able that day to get their supplies f rQm u lO harbour, citizens changed their minds. As a matter of fact, tho existing service might stand over for five or "ten years, and the City Council would do better service to the city if it brought forward some more reproductive works on which to spend the .£IOO,OOO, seeing that tho city is so heavily rated at the present time, With tlio iucrcasiu" nmouut of

reclaimed land revenue, the prospective improvements iu our tramway system, and our electric light system, the revenue derived from these three sources ought to bo sufficient, if carried out on a proper basis, to enable in ten years from now the rates of the city of Wellington to lie reduced largely. This is, of course, providing the City Council and our Mayor would go into the business thoroughly. Instead of our population falling away as at present, the city of Wellington ought to bo a model city to live in, and, with careful management, this could be accomplished without any further addition to the rates.—l am, etc., WILLIAM M'ALPINE.