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Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1923, Page 2

Tub public interest in the Borough loan proposals is being more generally oiised. It is being realised that the o. - casion is one in which all sections of the community should take an interest, because the matter is one affecting tile general welfare. The policy of the Council is to make a progressive beginning. and while some may cavil at the exact starting point, it is obvious with a limited sum and so many pressing works, all parts and all works cannot receive attention. The Council is often said to be negative, hut on this occasion we have a pleasing example of positive action, and it would he wise to encourage the Council to continue along the road it has chosen for itself. The works while they are a beginning, are of such 11 nature that their attention from loan funds will free a larger amount of local revenue for other works, and if the Council systematise in the order of their public works. no douht a far larger amount of useful public work about the town will result. The money proposed to tie raised will he obtainable at n cheap rate and the work and tire repayments are to be spread over a term. The works to be undertaken will assist in providing employment at 1 verv useful period, for just at the present employment is not too general. The works relate 111 the first instance to street improvements, and in the second instance to drainage. Tt would be easily possible to spend the whole amount on the streets, but in tlieir wisdom the Council has earmarked the larger half of the amount for drainage purposes. There is nlentv of work to be done, end it will he. for the imam-

iiig Council to take up the task actively. If the ratepayers are not satisfied with the present personnel of the Council there will be the opportunity for a change in April next, when the regular municipal elections fall to be held. Ti'e burgesses need noi judge the proposals hv the Council hut lather til Council by the proposals. 1

t IS, the select ion of councillors is so dose at hand that it may be a new Council which will have the responsibility of the administration of the loan funds. Still, the present Council has put the policy into shape, and deserves credit accordingly. There was delay over the matter, but amends are now made, and looking with confidence to the future of the town there is every reason why the electors generally should fivelv support the loan proposals, and display their confidence alike in the t"wn and its council.

Tin: question "I augmenting ihe ITlough water supply l iv ;i jiiiiii l l: nts scheme either as an emergency or :| s » regular addition to the present supply is being discussed from various points of view by tlio man in the street. As fat as mu be gathered it would be Hie choar.ost. \v>iv of overcoming the shortape which so often occurs, for it i> altogether priietiealiie. And voiv pood water can be obtained -of that there seems no doubt. A little prospecting for water would soon settle the point, but we understand find the water bid nit pumped into the baths i- quite

satisfactory. being clear, devoid of any aroma and without a taste of' salt. A pumping scheme entirely is operating

at (ii'eymouth, where ! !i■ • water a being pumped directly from the river. The water is lifted a considerable height, pas power heitm used Ipr the purpose. Here there is Hie alternative of electric power for pentping wbiili at certain periods of tie- night would piobnUy he available for pumping purposes. The matter i- one which an engineer could go into, arid it would lie

well worth the Council paying a fee for the information which would he available. The Council lias it.- own staff to prospect for suitable localities where the "ater • -otild be picked up. localities whore the engineei might direct would be convenient als: icr pumping from. In less than a year’s time, more water will he required for domestic consumption in Hokitika, and il a costly gravitation scheme could he avoided--with tin* constant charge lor maintenance, and the inevitable risk of a break down over a long pipeline—it will |,e a great relief to the ratepayers. At the same time there is the general byliof that the present shortage is due to defects in the existing water supply service. At the outset there was ample wafer available but alter a time it began to fail gradually. An examination from time to time helps to temporarily tetrieve the position, but the failure of the wafer supply again and again asserts itself, and there is always the feeling

ot insecurity in times of emergency. Snell being Hie ease. it. is due to the towm to see the waiter supply adequately reinforced so that all risk and danger of a shortage will be allayed. The idea now put forward would be a short cut to a remedy at a moderate cost and by a plant which could be always under close personal inspection.