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Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1923, Page 2

Arnoros of municipal matters. Mr Heinz made a very disquieting statement at the Council table last week, when he referred to the serious condition of the water-supply pipe line crossing Knniori Vint. It is so very serious that as a result of the observations, the members as a body are visiting the locality. It is of course a very serious position to find that- there can bo no guarantee as to the life of the line in its pie-cut state. It- is liable to break at any moment. That is a situation calling for prompt remedial measures, and Air Heinz Jins done good service in drawing pointed attention to tbo matter. The town has enjoyed the convenience of the water supply for so long that it is indispensable. Tt should be maintained So far the Council is raising only sufficient money to pay interest and sinking lund on the loans raised to supply the water. Nothing is raised specially for maintenance or renewals. That should bo remedied. There is no expenditure the ratepayers would more readily contribute to as a whole, than a secure water supply. Tt is a safeguard against serious tire damage. It is an asset which keeps down tire insurance rates. It adds to the health of the community. to the convenience of homes and business premises, and altogether lias come to be indispensable. It is for the Council to see that, the water supply is both stable and efficiently maintained in every respect-. AVhii.k on the subject- of municipal affairs, it will not be out of place to refer to the proposed reorganisation of the staff, a subject mentioned at the last- Council meeting, and now being gone into by the Public Works Committee. The point was raised the other night that with a staff of three, an expensive overseer was not requisite; but if the Council is going on with the expenditure of its loan funds as the ratepayers expect, there should lie a staff of thirty three to control nr.d direct, a pi'sponsihle hsa<s U peces

sary for that purpose. The Council is a Jong time getting into its stride in regard to public works authorised out of loan moneys. A practical beginning has not been made ret. Even in tho ease of the Sale street section of drainage, a start teas made before the inateiial was ready, and work in ihut quarter will be suspended for two or three months, till the pipes required are manufactured! That is not good management. It discloses a lack of efficient organisation. The construction of the small piece of roadway in Rolleston Street is proceeding painfully slow. These instances are evidence of the need for reorganisation in the direction of more effective control, so that a work once put in hand will be pushed through in reasonable time without unnecessary cost through delays or serious inconvenience to the public affected by procrastination which moans loss and delay also.

There is a growing tendency among opponents of the Italian Governmentto divide I'a.scinio into two sect ions —the so-called Aliissolinismo and Fascism", wrote a British correspondent in Rome early in August. The- formet term applies to the untiring efforts of Signor Mussolini, who has gained a personal prestige throughout the country unparalleled in the. annals of modern Italian history. Ho is still the acknowledged leader of the patty, but many other leaders have sprung up in sovera I places, especially in the nortiim provinces, assuming the role of dictators, in "imitation of their leader. Signor Mussolini has called strictly to order these gentlemen, whom he describes as "‘those who occupy the second row of the stalls," and lias dismissed all those who persisted in their attitude. Nolle the less the parly is not united as it was six mouths ago, and certainly if the J'romier could get rid of all the troublesome momiiors ol 1 i--party he would have no 'oriot.s opposition. In a recent spoor’: be delivetetl at Padua, ib" I‘reniiei r'rn'v stated that he would never abandon Ka.scisiiio beeau-e "1 created it. reaied i.. lor tilled it. eh.'lst i:-e I it. uni still hold it- in my list.” In ailoth"' ']o---b he said: ‘‘When tile Fasei-ti in longer had io fight their oneiV.e's :li'v eetiid allow themselves the luxury to light iiiiioiig themselves, but ii tite enemy were to raise its lionsl ihov v.'ould immediately form again a solid blo:-,s.