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Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1926, Page 2

Tuk Borough Council has resolved to scam re engineering advice regarding the municipal water supply. This is a step in tho right direction though it is surprising to hear there was some demur among members at the proposed step. Jt would appear that despite all the warnings there are those who fail to realise the seriousness of ilio position. The service is quite unreliable at present. Kxtreinc steps have to bo taken at times to conserve water for lire purposes, but even then not with adequate success. There are frequent leakages in the reticulation service, and it is greatly to be feared that it is in that section of the supply whore the greatest loss occurs. The water supply is now a necessity which the people will not he disposed to part with, but unless it is adequate for both domestic and fire prevention purposes, it will be largely a useless drain on the finances. If it serves the purpose for which it is intended it will lie a certain guarantee against fire devastation. and that at any time mav mean the saving of thousands of pounds of property. During the late lire in Weld St., when owing to conservation methods the water had been cut off and the turncock failed to get the alarm of fire, there was a very costly delay ill getting the water through. It is estimated property to the value of £SOO was destroyed every minute the Brigade lacked water to quench the conflagration. And sinco then as a result of the sudden pressure of water through the mains, the Borough staff has been busy in different- parts of the town repairing leaks which have manifested themselves by the water rising to the surface. Doubtless there are other cases where the leakage disappears without rising to the surface, particularly in sand soil, and there must- be a continuous loss in that way. Now thal the Council lias resolved oil a. definite line of action it is to lie hoped time will not lie lost in seeking remedial measures to safeguard a |Kisitioii of outstanding importance to the town. The matter is so vitally important that no time whatever should he lost.