THE EAST-END TANKS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2654, 9 October 1882, Page 3

THE EAST-END TANKS.

To the Editor of the Globe.

Sib, —In your issue of the 7th inst. yon gave us the benefit of two leading articles, one on water supply, the other on insurances and insurance companies. You say a conference was held between the City Council and the insurance associations, the result of which was an ultimatum that the associations would reduce the rates 12} per cent, on the introduction of a sufficient water supply. As yet there is no water supply, nor is there likely to be for some years to come ; but a mighty power, by name “ Wholesome Competition,” oame, and in the absence of a water supply, has been the means of reducing our rates 25 per cent. Well, sir, in this your second leader you are jubilant, and I do not wonder at the depicted pleasure on the part of one that is always writing for the benefit of the public. In writing your first leader your telescope eonld not hare been brought to its proper foone. You could only see one agitator in the city, and that one a resident of the East end, but there were many agitating against a scheme that would be inefficient and costly ; that agitation was nearly general with both rich and poor, for the reason that no half measures will satisfy the people. If we have the water scheme at all, we must hare ik in its entirety; because we know the old Waimak. will not give out, noi will (he require the assistance of expensive machinery, I am sorry to see you have deprecated the building of tanks because they are badly wanted. The Council at present has a large stock of cash in hand, and if a few quarter or one-eighth acres were bought by them, say, from five to seven chains from the belts, and they built their tanka on them and allowed nature to supply us till we are able to pay for a direct scheme, then this land oould be sold at an advanced price, and oould be otherwise utilised, as is the case with the covered, in tanks in Tuam street. Again, is it not fair that we, living near the belt, should not have a fair share P If the Council proposes to build a water tank any where in the centre of the city outsiders never raise their voices against it, because they know it will be a publio benefit, and insiders should treat their neighbors with the same amount of fairness. I oould give my experience of fires where there is no water at hand, but enough is reported through your own columns, I: very often runs thus ; —A house in suoh a al reet was on fire, the brigade were soon on the spot, but owing to the want of the engines were no use.” I hope onr eastern members will not let this opportunity slip. Buy land, build the tanks wherever they are wanted, and when the new style comes in, and the old passes away, the enhanced value of the land will more than cover what to us will be a benefit. And if the insurance associations wish to bring their mite towards the tanks, I have no objection. Yours, *o., AN BABT-HNDBR.