The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5th, 1925. THE WATER SUPPLY.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY sth, 1925. THE WATER SUPPLY.

The efforts of the Borough Council to have the water supply improved will he appreciated by the public. The present experience through which the townspeople are passing should be such as to ensure that whatever is being done will be of a permanent nature, so that the present shortage will not readily recur. The cause of the deficiency in the supply has Veen one of some mys-

torv, because in the past allhough there have been dry spells, the .shortage lias never been as acute as at present. The opinion advanced by .Mr WntkinNon oi the Public Works Department on Tuesday to the effect that the i nil to w of water, ouiug to the lowness of the bike, was inadequate, i.s deserving ot notice. U appears that the lake (the source of supply) is now particularly low, and although the eight inch pipe at the intake was full, liv the time the water had traversed over a mile of the line, the water had diminished to tliice inches. We believe ex; crimciits made show there was not any leakage to account fur the dilfereiice. The inference then is that the deficiency was due to the lack of pressure over a length of pipe-line almost level. If that lie so, the suggested cure is a larger intake pipe-line to ensure a

greater volume of water entering the smaller pipe, when with the fall that part of the line has, the swifter flow ■ will deliver more water's!. the reset voir. Another alternative would he to lay a second and independent pipe line Irian the lake to the reservoir; while a third .suggestion would he to pick up water at Kanieri .Forks, and so save live or six miles of piping. The question is one. lirxl of tinance, and then of expediency. Tile Council in Hie main will lie guided by the expert advice, and having resolved on ;t line ot action, will need to take the ratepayers into their confidence ami appeal lor a loan. In any ease additional money must be raised, for it is imperative the town should lie provided with an ample water supply. The present droughty period is exceptional of course, hut it i.s never possible to gunge what might happen, and an outbreak of lire at this juncture could prove disastrous to the town. On the line of “safety first’’, then a stable, adequate water supply should be the determined task of the Borough Council, and the matter .should not be left in doubt longer than possible. It is until od that the Council i.s waiting for further data, which, when available will be placed liefore a special meeting for <onsideration. It is to be hoped that meeting will be hastened by every way possible. Another suggestion has been put forward to seek a small auxiliary supply of water from Han Man hill (lose liy the reservoir. This could lie supplied with considerable celerity, and the cosl should not exceed £2OO, tint it will not he adequate enough to give that absolutely permanent supply it is hoped to see ensured. Still, if the expenditure of £2OO at this juncture would remove anxiety in regard to the present menace from lire in the event of an unfortunate outbreak, the outlay should not stand in the way of speedy action by the Council. The water in question comes from an abandoned tunnel in the hill. It is beautifully clear water, but when inspected tlie other day did not gunge much over a quarter of a head. The distance to flume the water to the reservoir would be a little over half a mile. As an auxiliary in the present emergency. when all else has failed, it seems wise to pick up the water, and arrange for it being laid on to the reservoir. It would at least help to secure a storage of water at the reservoir most useful in the event of fire, and at the same time help the domestic supply with a better pressure, so that the hospitals could lie served in ordinary times as well. This aspect of the position—a most difficult one tor the Council —-should be gone into very fullv bv the members.