FRESH WATER.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 334, 21 December 1865, Page 3

FRESH WATER.

TO THE EDITOE OF THE TIMES, is far from being generally known that within (say) three hundred yards of almost any part of Hastings-road there exists below the shingle of which this part of Napier is composed, a vein or subterranean stream of beautiful, clear, eoft, fresh water. For more than four hundred yards in extent this vein can be traced at less than two feet below the surface of the shingle. For this distance it seems to follow the direction of Malcom-street, within two chains distance from the sea. It was in former times well known to the Maoris who, in the large numbers we know once lived in this district, used to encamp and live during tiie fishing season on or near this very spot, in order that they might enjoy at once the double advantage of a good landing place for their wakas and kupengas, and a plentiful supply of fresh water. Tho one great peculiarity of this vein or subterranean stream consists in its peculiar situation along a narrow strip of shingle bank, between the sea on the one hand, and a salt water swamp on the other. Its known great length repudiates the idea of its being a spring or a series of springs, and favors the opinion said to be expressed by the Provincial Engineer, that “ it is a vein of some river that once flowed through the flats, and entered the sea near the place where it is now found.” With regard to fhe quantity of water to be obtained from this source, I would just mention the result of an experiment tried with the intention of ascertaining some approximate answer to tho question. A headless cask of about eighteen inches diameter was sunk in the shingle, and from it 100 gallons was obtained in one hour, and this during the past dry weather; this I think favors the idea that the supply is unlimited,—which I believe to be the fact.—l am, &c., AQUA PURA. Napier, 18th Dec., 1865.