PORT CHALMERS WATER SUPPLY.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1982, 11 September 1869, Page 2

PORT CHALMERS WATER SUPPLY.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star. ) Sir, —The desirability of a plentiful supply of water must be an admitted fact, and when that supply can he brought into towns at an expenditure within the income of such towns, and without causing the rating to become excessive in consequence, let it be done, by all means. From what I have understood as to the proposal of the gentleman who was desirous of introducing a water-supply to the Port (his proposal has assumed, with his own consent, two or more phases, but for the sake of argument, I will assume that your article is in accordance with the last proposal made by him to the Town Council), he would introduce a water supply equal to the requirements of the town for the sum of LS,OOO, and would accept for that sum debentures (at par?) hearing interest at 7 percent, or, in other words, he would bring in water to supply Gourde street and the Jetty for the above sum, and so impressed is he with the profitable nature of be plan, that he would lease the. water supply, or simply hold possession, and enjoy a monopoly of what in less than four years would he a source of revenue, and give the town the opportunity of paying LSOOO at the expiration of seven years, for works that I hope to see instituted and completed by our Municipal Council in a year or two at least.

There can be no doubt that the proposition would be favorably entertained by those residing in and off George street; but when it is taken into consideration that if the Council thought lit to extend the supply to the other three wards, they would incur an expense equal, or nearly so, to the first outlay, it is not to be wondered that the majority of the Council should decline the offer, and the ratepayers of those wards decline to allow the rates to be the security for the payment of that sum, as it would have to be appropriat' d as a sinking fund for that time and a considerable time longer, calculating the amount obtained from the present rateable va'ueof property at 2sin the pound to paythat sum in seven years, and our streets and footpaths must be neglects d in consequence. Bather let the matter remain undecided for a year or so, and when the Port is more prosperous, and the jetty more suitable, so that shipping can lay alongside, when the railway is in course of completion, and we are better able to pay 2s fid in the pound rates than at present Is, then let the Town C uncil borrow on security of the rates, and have the requirements of the town fully met, the work done by contract, and retain the control of the water supply in preference to handing it over to a monopolist, who might (and human nature is liable to err) he to Port Chalmers what the old man of the mountains was to his victims.

Another point, and one I think of much importance is that the supply is to be equal to the requirements of the place, I presume in the year 18(39, (inhabitants barely 1,001)) but frum the opinions of enthusiasts the population will be more than doubled when the railway starts, so we should have to pay a little extra to our old man in order that we may drink more water. The C -uncil by their action have, I believe, merited the good opinion of their fellow citizens, and I avail myself of this opportunity to express a wish that all their actions will bear the same amount of discussion. I am, &c., Ratepayer.