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Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1923, Page 2

Dkkkuuko again. The latest in regard to the practical utilisation of the Arthur’s Pass tunnel is that it wid not tie available for general freightage till May. That will he fifteen veins since Sir Joseph Ward fired ‘‘the first shot” in 1908—or three times the estimated period fixed for the construction.' Patience is a virtue, we are told, and the Coast people possess the virtue in a marked manner. Probably the latest estimate is within the mark, though we have heard whispers of June and July as the probable opening date. The fact- that the electric motor engines are now being assembled at Addington ione of the best guarantees towards an early completion. But we are hoping that the two Departments eon erned the Public Works and Rail ways—will combine their wisdom and putting their beads together make strenuous efforts 'to got the job out of hand a the earliest possible moment. The work is testing so much now in interest that the sooner it is made reproductive, the quicker will he a serious drift in the public finance lie stopped. The Coast is hungering for the full use of the line, and from the outset the available rolling stock, and the possibilities of • h rough traffic will lie well tested. As the time approaches for opening, the exports and imports by sea-borne traffic will he restricted and we may expert at the very on test quite a congestion of freightage. The railway authorities, however, will have plenty of ’.•arning. they will see what is coming and no doubt will anticipate the trade as far as facilities will permit. Rut an outlook so promising as this should bestir the public mind to the need for haste in finishing the job. and ill dirertly interested in the we hould continue to agitate for a speed- ; ml up effort on the part of the Government in pushing the line through 1 to a usable state with the least possible delay. Tt is time we heard the last of the protracted delays and post- ‘ ■•’onements in the possible opening j date, and that a definite and each- , ■irobablo date should be fixed. i

Thf. sueness attending the effort? to fijvl >; ge 1 Me/,o• Mar, Iv *-f Dr--’:

' water for the municipal swimming baths, gives the idea that a Ifi’gei scheme of the same kind would he the cheapest and most effective means of providing an auxiliary supply of water for the town service at times when the inflow from bake Kanieri proves inadequate from one cause or another. The idea we ure told is quite feasible. I and not costly, and as a more assured i water supply is in any case a necessity • and if supplied or readily Available, j would remove all cause for anxiety, it [ seems most desirable that the Borough ’ Council should have the matter investigated seriously. Whet) the question of a town water supply was ulidef consideration many years ago. Mr J. K. Campbell, who was then Town Clerk was an advocate of a pumping sehome utilising the artesian water which could lie picked up practically all over the town. It was Before the days of electricity as an agent of power locally and the idea of steam power was etui* sidorod too costly. We ilo not know whether ihe utilisation ol gas power was considered, hut at any rate, the 'pumping suggestion was turned down in favor of a gravitation scheme. The gravitation scheme is proving costly to : maintain and is inadequate. Its dip I plication is suggested, hut again comes the question of cost and future mainj tennnee. Excellent water supplies I have been tapped below ground at ■ both the Westland Hospital and tin* ' Mental Hospital. A good flow of Water jis secured at the bntiis. In other | parts of the town more remote from | the sea coast to ensure .tvoidnnee iff any brackishhrss. good water should he available, and ii is Suggested this wafer could lie tapped and pumped into the mains as a supplementary supply, while the full reservoir <-nnld be held in reserve for dry nr special occasions as large fires. The idea is one that -has prom iking possibilities to 'meet' what is at times, now too often a serious condition of all’nii'' and the matter should he taken up by iiie municipal aulilorities earnestly.