WATER SHORTAGE

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 33, 8 February 1935, Page 4

WATER SHORTAGE

ENFORCING NOTICE

SPORTS BODIES AFFECTED

NO HALF-MEASURES

Last night's light rain has had no appreciable effect on the city's water shortage, it was stated by the authorities, today. The Wainui area received 32 points, and the Orongorohgo area 62 points. It would take several inches of rain, repeated every few'weeks, to place the city in, a secure position against the dry weather of the late autumn, and as far as the present position is concerned the storage has not been- affected at all.

The seriousness of the water shortage was brought sharply home yesterday to sports bodies and others when they were threatened with prosecution if Wednesday's notice by the C'% Council absolutely prohibiting the use of hoses was further contravened. Yesterday there was only 29 days' supply" of palatable water in the city's reservoirs. Today there will be some millions of gallons less. After the period mentioned the quality of the water will commence to deteriorate as the lower portions of the dams are drawn upon, and twenty days after the palatable water is exhausted, that is, 48 days from today, there will be no water of any kind. All this, of course, if it does not rain sufficiently to make up the supply again. -

Each year there is an appeal lor the' conservation of water at about this season, but many sports bodies found yesterday.that there is a difference between an.appeal, usually, disregarded to some .extent, and. an.advertised prohibition, which is fully within the powers of the City Council to enforce by fines. ' WICKETS AND BOWLING GREENS. Cricket pitches. may no longer be hosed. They may be hand-watered if desired. Cracks are: showing; in many of the pitches, but even in the case of the; North v. South Island match it is exceedingly doubtful if the authorities will; permit hosing. There is no: half-way course • open, in view of the possibilities if the drought continues. The Miramar Golf Club, unaware of the notice; was caught hosing yesterday morning, but has undertaken not-to offend again. Bowling clubs may see their greens, which are expensive things to construct and maintain in the. necessary degree of perfection, deteriorating daily, but bowlers ; will be' in good company. SALT WATER TO LAY DUST. Quite a problem was presented at the dirt track in view of the forthcoming meeting. In the ordinary course two-inch hoses are used there. The City Council has met this position, not in a way which would suit golf clubs or. bowling greens, but satisfactorily nevertheless. With the assistance of city ;water carts, salt water will be carried, to the track from Evans Bay. In the old days of macadam, salt water, was the recognised means of watering the; city streets,- and it was then recognised -as a better dust-binder than fresh water. ■ r .*.'■.' '-.BATHS TO BE CLOSED. Bathing was the only relaxation for many people during the hot days,/but apparently freshwater . bathing is a thing of the past until it rains again, as -two- swimming, pools were prohibit-, ed'from running in water under pen-, alty today, one of them at a school. In view of this action, it is- unlikely that the Thorndon Baths will-be kept open much longer, unless copious rain fails in the catchment areas. St. John's swimming pool which is ordinarily fed by the, overflow from the Karori dam, has latterly been fed only,by the. leakage from the bottom of :the dam, and evidently this source of supply is. hot considered sufficient or satisfactory by the Health Department, as Dr. Findlay, one of the district ' health ' officers, has '; advised ■ the headmasters of the Northland and Kelburn schools not to allow children to bathe there until there is a freer inflow. Residents of the district approve this advice. ■ 1 The restrictions placed upon all these community services, whether for spirit or relaxation, clearly show the serious view which is taken of the position. The water is urgently needed for health purposes and the ordinary civic amenities,, arid though there, is no need at present to go without necessary ablutions, and no shortage for sanitary purposes, the conservation of every possible gallon is urged by the authorities. Only imperative needs should be served. Bathing is necessary to.health,, but there is no need to take three baths a day, nor to.fill the one bath essential for. health daily. It is muchpleasanter to be covered with the cooling fluid, but health can be maintained with less waste of water. It really resolves itself into a matter of conscience and the realisation of personal selfishness. Pleasure and comfort must give way to necessity. Bath water can go on the gar den instead of ■ water from the tap, and vegetables can be peeled dry. Housewives who help in such little ways .will be doing a public service. . .