ONSLOW WATER SUPPLY.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2413, 19 March 1915, Page 7

ONSLOW WATER SUPPLY.

Sir, —Allow ma to say a few words upon this very interesting subject. It seems clear that—(l) The borough, of approximately 1800 people, is to 1 be made responsible for the raising of a sum of £100.000. (2) It is extremely doubtful whether the supply is sufficient. Very little information is given, in fact Mr. Kirkcaldie thinks that each ratepayer should find out particulars for himself. The Mayor says, .'"We are asking for £22,500 ,and we cannot have more than I the ratepayers • sanction." Is it not a fact that a borough is allowed to spend 10 per cent, more than the estimate? This will bring the amount to the neighbourhood- of £25,000, without considering tho vastly enhanced price of material. Mr. Crump gives us a nice little sum on average rainfall: but why did Wellington go 20 miles for water, and why is she seeking to turn another river into the Wainui? The proposal to limit the supply and establish meters at £3 a-piece (£1800), damns the whole proposal. What will happen when tho population doubles? The cost of drainage waa set down (vido Mr. Crump) at £13,000. Does his Worship expect us to heliove that sewerß can bo laid in such a place as Onslow, whore in many cases they will only servo one side of the street, at half tho cost of water? Forty thousand pounds would be a vory modest sum to cover this. It will cost £50 a. house to connect and put in fittings, say,' £30,000 to bo paid in cash by the residents. Messrs. Cnimp and Kirkcaldie both imply that the drainage is not to follow, but they must bo quite aware that tho agitation is chiofly promoted by people who say when we get the water we will then get the Health Department to forrs thi; Iwaiigh to put In dwiflftge, J»j»a ei I heUav^..

septic tanks .which don't give qui to satisfactory results. ' .' \ Mr. Kirkcaldie, speaking with authority, says the lower dam will bs 500 feet above sea level. As the Khandallah •railway station is' 464 feet, the people on the hills will get but a sporting Water may run up liill if the source is high enough, but who ever heard of sewerage doing ths same, unless pumped? Many roads in the district have heavy gradients, in fact one road adjacent to the- Mayor's, and exMayor's and councillors' residences lately cost £500 to lower, and is J still a switchback. Several' advocates have seriously tried to convince people that the total amount lost hy fire in the. borough would have been saved had we a water supply; and yet we read last week of total losses at Masterton, Lyttelton ,and Hastings. Perhaps' they will explain the yearly loss'in Wellington, where _ they have brick buildingß and an. efficient Firo Brigade. Are the councillors ,so confident on tie question of compensation that they wiU fix a limit and . guarantee the . borouigh against any excess ? As I am not seeking municipal honours, I shall simply, content myself with tho nom do plume of CYCLOPS. Maroh 17. 1915. .