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Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1924, Page 2

i’liKiir, ale times when circumstances rivet the attention directly on the condition of the local water supply. At the present moment the matter is again in mind for the reason that at the late Borough Council meeting that useful member of the local conclave, Mr Heinz, drew pointed attention to tliu risk being run by the long length of wooden pipe line being left ro its o"n cure for far too long. Mr Heinz's proposal was to have a constant patrol of the line for some months during which all weak spots could be seen to and any defects remedied. The Council readily and properly gave its assent to this course. It appears tlioic are long lengths of tha line exposed, and the atmosphere is having its effect on the wire bound pipes. The life of the wire is the life of the pipe, ns it lias been remarked over and over again, and ii any parts are exposed unduly, it would he well to have them tarred and covered with earth, il at all practicable, so as to protect fhe wire from atmospheric results. In any case a more regular system of patrol is necessary. So much depends upon the efficient maintenance of the water supply, that the Council should not neglect any opportunity to secure the supply °f t.lio town. There is a daily inspection as to the inflow at the reservoir, but this is not sufficient. Certainly when the inllow fails time is the cue that .something is wrong and the line is traversed to find the defect. But the defects would not develope so quickly into serious Emits ii under a regular system of patrol the lino of race were properly inspected at regular intervals. Tlio upkeep of the line up to this stage has not been abnormal. Actually the line has been maintained very cheaply, but it is now reaching an age when a greater cost must lie faced, and to minimise that possible cost a complete overhaul at this juncture* would be of the stitch in time, order and save considerable money to the ratepayers. The suggestion put forward by T\fr Heinz should be carried into effect as quickly as possible. The advantage in the end will be ml to the benefit of the Borough funds.

Aproi’Oß the dignity of labor, and the community advantage of a contented working people striving to make good ! not only for themselves, but for their country’s welfare also, a contemporary remarks that many writers have emphasised the opinion that while England is sufferng in common with other nations from the destruction of capital • during the war, the position would be capable of amelioration at an acceleiatng progressive rate, if these of her people who are most interested, would talk less and work more. What is wanted now more than ever, is willing help to demolish the Juggernaut obstruction which blocks the rails. If everyone were to lend a hand, the factory wheels and spindles would involve agan as fast as they did in the days before 1911. This will not be done unless a change of heart comes over the workers cf England, a possibility not worth consideration at present, and our Mother Country must he contented to go slow and to carry upon her back the million of unemployed, who seem to have solved the problem of living without work. If the commercial pre-war standard of England is to be again attained and prosperity established within her borders, there is but one way, each and every man and woman worker must produce something which will be economically possible of sale in foreign countries against trading competitors. Every strike, each day of ca-canny. throws away into the future the possibility of rapid convaleseenee. iust n.s much as insisting upon an impossible wage, or the determination to have two full days in the week for pleasure and amusement. Work is not merely the means to an end but is an end in itself. Ordinarily constituted persons find the time passes

most happily when they are fully employed, and tiioso who depend for their living upon manufacturing goods for sale must be bereft of their senses if they wish to throw’away their legitimate means of support for a will of the wisp idea that they will attain more of the amenities of life if they knock out those who employ them. These remarks apply equally to all countries —our own included.