The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Const Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 23rd, 1925. OF PRESSING IMPORTANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Const Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 23rd, 1925. OF PRESSING IMPORTANCE.

I UK letter indited by the Eire Brigade to the Hokitika. Borough Council on the subject of the defective water supply. conveyed a lurid impression. That was in keeping with the importance of the matter, for the effectiveness of the municipal supply is the most important

std ;ect for consideration by the Council at this juncture. It would appear that there i.s something radically wrong with the supply, and to effect adequate improvement, the matter requires a thorough investigation. The supply | has been installed now for upwards of a score of years, and it must be realiesd that there are increasing demands on it. It i.s not clear even yet whether this growing demand is the primary cause of the shortage at recurring periods. There is the feeling, too, that the wooden pipes are being found so defective that the amount of leakage is abnormal. But. on ton of this, is the conviction that the quantity of water the pipe-line should be capable of delivering at the reservoir, is not being received, ft is believed the flow of the water is affected by air leaks and other defects in the pipe-line. The position certainly calls for close and immediate investigation. At the last

meeting, the Council ordered special attention to the pipe-line and no doubt when the matter comes up to-night

there will be si further report on the situation, following the investigation. It seems apparent that special attention should be devoted to the bead race, the inllow to the reservoir should be overhauled without delay, and the Council should see that the work is concentrated upon. Extra expense must he incurred, and the work should he. taken in hand systematically. As regards the reticulation of the town, various defects from time to time are lieing found and attended to. Xo doubt many more escape notice for the time being. Leaky taps are another drain on the supply. Both the reticulation service and the domestic supply should lie subject to close inspection at regular intervals to prevent and stop waste. The letter from the Fire Brigade deals only with the fire aspect. That, of course, is of the greatest importance, but it as essential that for domestic and sanitary purposes the households should have an adequate supply «f water at all times. These t w o factors suggest investigation of the question of augmenting the supply immediately or in the near future. It is understood this can he done by lifting water at Kanieri Forks. The method and cost are matters for determination after investigation. Now that the matter has been raised, sn definitely and pointedly hv the Eire Brigade, the Council cannot afford to temporise longer on the matter. There is the call as there is the need for precise action. A grave responsibility is thrown, on the Council, .and to neglect jt is to ignore the chief requirement of the town- AVlieu tlie water supply was brought in First, not only was it adequate and effective, for all possible purposes—even to the supply of power —but the quantity available was supposed to he adequate for a much larger population than then drawing upon it. Gradually the supply decreased m volume, and it is the duty of tinCouncil now to see that the original quantity supplied is restored. Ihe water supply must he secured not only for the present, hut lor the years to come also, and this duty the council should take up in a definite manner. A serious liahiUity rests with the members of the Council, as finding matters so unsatisfactory, it is their clear duty to see the situation placed beyond doubt and an adequate water mipjdy restored to the town. Nothing else will satisfy the Fire Brigade, and the townspeople’, were they to express themselves, would he equally definite in their desires also.