THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1882 THE TANK QUESTION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2685, 15 November 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1882 THE TANK QUESTION.

Wb are very glad to find that the fire brigade committee have declined to moke any recommendation with regard to Councillor Ayers’ motion on the question of tanks. As we pointed ont in a former article, the introduction of such admittedly inefficient means of fire prevention as the tank system, under the most favorable auspices, has proved to be, simply procrastinates still further the question of the water supply, which, we contend, is a thing deserving instant and urgent attention. W o are sorry that the committee did not go still further in their report and state the reason which had led them to come to the conclusion they did. So far as we can gather it is this, that on examination they found so many places requiring tanks that the cost would be nearly as large, if not quite so, as the introduction of a water supply scheme. Let us once more call the attention of the ratepayers to a few salient points in this matter. First, from actual observation there is a large area of the city left entirely unprotected and defenceless in case of fire by the absence of water. This has been discovered by the committee in the course of their examination. The larger portion of this area would, in case of a water supply being available, be covered thereby. It is admitted by all that to meet the difficulty thus arising by means of tanks would cost a very large sum of money. Sites have to be procured, the wells sunk, and all kinds of expenses gone into. Now it does seem strange that a large expenditure should be incurred in providing what at best is only a temporary thing, and, further than that, a supply which, in cases of emergency, may, as it has done already, run short when most required. It is well known that our artesian supply, on which we have to depend for the filling of the tanks, is most precarious. What may happen at any time is just this, that a large fire may occur, and the tanks not be in working order. The thing to consider is just this—why should wo attempt to introduce a system which at best is defective, and may bo swept away altogether in a year or so ? We trust that we shall hear no more about tanks, but that the ratepayers will apply themselves seriously to consider that most important question wnethor they can longer afford to do without a water supply of some kind. Not only is it, ia our opinion, necessary from a sanitary point of view, but also as a moans of fire prevention ia those parts of the city where, from being a long distance away from the river, or other supply, the residents live from day to day in groat jeopardy of losing their property, and, perhaps, their lives. Councillor Ayers, no doubt, means well for his particular district, but, as was pointed out in the course of the discussion on the report of the committee, it meant that the Council would have to go into a large and expensive system of tanks, because one portion of the city having been supplied others would immediately clamour to bs served in the same way. This being so, we think the majority of the ratepayers will agree with us, that the best method of dealing with the proposition of Councillor Ayers was to shelve it quietly. But whilst there is a good deal of what is unsatisfactory in the proposal, it cannot be denied that the investigations of the committee must have led them to become for the first time aware of how much of the cify is really totally unprotected in case of fire. The fact is the growth of Christchurch has been so rapid as to far outstrip any efforts made to provide adequate means of fire extinction and protection. We have done much, and it is to the credit of nearly every Council that they have recognised to the full the importance of the matter. But with all this our plant is still inefficient, and no one knows this batter than Mr Snpt. Harris, who has for so many years had the practical management of the Brigade. Ha on all occasions has spoken most strongly in favor of a water supply, and urged cogent and unanswerable reasons why there shonld be an effort made to obtain one. Hitherto the exertions in this direction have been unsuccessful, but wo have bopo of better days. However this may be, wo do sincerely trust that the Council will not go in for any tinkering with the question, but when the work is undertaken let it bo on such a basis as j will ensure the safety of the citizens, | and the practical solving of the important i question of fire extinction.