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Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1925, Page 2

■ Tun Hon Mk Coates must have “a way will him,” for lie sent the Greymoutli deputation away last week “quite satisfied with the clear explanation given.” It has been clear all along that Mr Coates did not seek to penalise Greymouth, any more than Hillside or other places where retrenchment was being enforced. The Department found it necessary to curtail where it could. Mr Coates admitted ho felt that all along, hut it was the Railway Commission’s report which put the proposals into black and white, ami in the circumstances they could not he ignored. Mr Coates indicated that the Department wished to give a better service, ft has been felt all along that such is possible, and the reorganisation and sharpening up of the staff should render that possible. If it comes to pass now, it will be a boon to the users of the railways. This portion of New Zealand would appreciate a better service—one with greater celerity for passenger traffic. It is impossible to make the journey oil the local line without hearing adverse comment on the local service. M hen it is borne in mind that the Midland express leaves Otiru at 2.2 5 and is due at Greymoutli at 4.13, it covers the 31 miles of the journey in 1 hour 50 minutes. That is travelling which is appreciated by the through traveller. But when the same traveller, for his sins, proposes to continue the journev by the train from Greymoutli to Hokitika, he departs at 4.40 and is expected (if he is lucky) to arrive at 6.25 o’clock. That is the 24 miles are covered in 1 hour 45 minutes. In other words, the express between Otira and Greymoutli, does more than twice the distance from Hokitika, and only occupies an extra five minutes in doing the additional 27 miles involved in the journey. Here is room, and to spare for Mr Coates and his railway myrmidons to give “a better service.” In doing so they are hut catering for the traffic which they already whirl from Otira to Greymoutli, and if they wish to encourage the tourist traffic to the special centre of the Coast which is the jumping off place for sidit-seers, then the Greymouth-Hoki-tika train service cannot be overhauled to.) soon. Mr Coates is said to becoming to the Coast shortly, and if in interval that “letter train service” does not materialise, then the people of this community should he up and duing, and seek for that obvious im- 1 provement, which will remove a standing reproach against tlu* railways, and ensure better patronage on the part of travellers coming Coastwards on holi- ( day bent.

Whether from the rise of Lake Kanieri following the late rains, and so increasing the pressure at the intake to the Borough water supply, or whether from other tactics and aids to success, the authorities found a solution of the water supply troubles and it was possible at the week-end to store about three feet of water in the reservoir. This was instructive as to what might he done, and it was intended to work on the achievements and secure a larger reserve of water to be kept for fire purposes. Tt appears, however, that other opinions came into the management, and fresh tactics were adopted and put into force on Sunday right, but bv Monday morning tiio xtoio of

water in the reservoir hn<l been net The original scheme of management was then resorted to with the offij.t of holding the water in the reservoir for emergency purposes. The txperience emphasises the serious position in regard to the water supply, and that sooner rather than later the ( nvncil must face not merely temporary remedial measures as is now proposed, but a major scheme itself to give rn assured permanent supply. For the present the Council propose to tap the Lake Knnieri water race at Kanieri Forks and deliver by a six-inch l ine, an auxiliary supply of water to the Borough pipe line from the Lake. This should ensure a greater flow of water into the reservoir, but it is not liter yet if in the state of the reticulation service about town that water can be held. No doubt it would cost a good deal to prospect for leaks which are not disclosed above the surface, but it is to he feared there are many such which are robbing the supply of its volume and reserve capacity. The whole thing is a problem, and it appears to lie getting beyond the lay mind. Perhaps as a preliminary, an

expert should he called in to advise as to how far the science of hydraulics has been interefered with. It has boon disclosed lately, that the pipe line is not in the condition in which the engineer designed it. A lay hand has made alterations which might be regarded as liberties with hydraulics, and useful information on that point would he appreciated. But hack of all are the wooden pipes which have for a long time now disclosed so much weakness, that the aggregate !■ akage must he considerable and it is feared it is a growing quantity. The situation seems to call for an expert’s report on what has become a very complex question in regard to special features of the case.