The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20th, 1925. THE WATER SERVICE.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20th, 1925. THE WATER SERVICE.

The Borough Council wrestled with the water supply question on Wednesday afternoon to some purpose. That is, a definite proposal was agreed to in the effort to remedy the shortage of tlie supply. The proposal adopted is not a new one. It is a suggestion often put forward in times past, namely, to pick up an auxiliary or emergency supply from the overflow of the Kanieri Lake water rate at Kanieri Forks. The Council in times past, very wisely secured the right to one head of water at the point named, and the present Council, it would appear, is going to act wisely in taking advantage of that provision. The supply will meet an emergency, and in fact might develop into the permanent supply. Beyond Kanieri Forks there must he some five miles of piping, and it is in that section where it is believed the present defect in the supply exists. While this is not absolutely certain, there are indications that it is so, and when the supplementary supply is provided, the overhaul of the upper end of the pipe line can he gone on with without interruption in the flow of water to the town. The new work involves only about 1000 feet of piping, and this is to lie procured forthwith, and the work of connecting up.the two points carried out as quickly as possible. One of the councillors asked for a guarantee that the work involving an expenditure of £350 would be a success. The statements made by those responsible for the proposal in its present form, and the assurance upon which the statements were formed, gave the impression that the outlay would he justified by results. At the worst the Council would stand to lose only the cost of ;

of the labor involved, for were the scheme not effective, the pixies (the chief expenditure) would he available for service elsewhere. But the proposition pmt forward is the only practicable one offering. There is no other alternative within reasonable exist, and if £350 will save tile position, the Council will be very lortunate in being able to do so, and the security ottered to the town in the event of lire will he so substantial 'that the expenditure named is a very lighL premium to pay for that security. As the matter stands, the Fire Brigade in a very ]xiinted letter placed on the Borough Council the onus lor remedying the position in which the town stood in the event of an outbreak of lire with no water in the reservoir. 'I lie Council had its duty to do, and though it has taken some time to arrive at a definite line of action, the dcoesion lias been taken and it is expected in three or four weeks the menace of disaster from lire will he passed. It remains to be seen how far this auxiliary service will meet the needs in a permanent way. It seems to he very essential that sections of the main simply should he closely overhauled, and xml in order. There will be considerable cost involved and iL is not quite clear where that money is to come from. There is a limit to the general rating, and money may not be borrowed without taking a poll. Stilt il it were found necessary to raise more money to place the water-supply of the town beyond doubt, we believe that tile ratepayers would give their consent. The Council should therefore ascertain their financial obligations in regard to immediate repairs or renewals, and the approaching general election of mcmiiors would he an opportune time to place any necessary further jjroxjosals before the electors. Meantime, there is the hope that the measures to he taken will lie effective for the time being, and thereafter the [msition can he reviewed more leisurely.