The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1928.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1928.

BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY. Tub further reference to-day to Borough water supply matters is clue mainly to congratulate the Council on the outcome of its wisdom in seeking the advice of an engineering expert as to 2 the wafer .supply system to ensure a more permanent supply. The necessity for an adequate supply, and inciden--9 tally of pressure also, at all times, is of the highest importance. The epidemic of fires of late is a frequent reminder that a reliable water supply is an essential for the general safety of the town. This is a matter in which £ all are involved, for it is never known where the next outbreak will occur, nor how serious it might he through any failure in the water service. Not to put too fine a point on the general • .situation there have been some close . shayes of late, tine to breaks in the ■ pipe line, as a result of which water f in the reservoir fell to a minimum', | and the pressure (so essential in the f case of a fire) was affected. Fortunato- | ly the breaks were dealt with just in i time to improve the flow into the ! reservoir when the pressure again made | good. But the circumstances may not I always dovetail so satisfactorily, in which ease a disastrous fire might have to he contemplated. For domestic purposes more stable conditions in regard to the water pressure are highly necessary. This is found out in the homes and at hotels all to frequently of late. Due to the_ breaks and the cutting down of the pressure, the practice is to cut down the water for the time being, and serious results often follow in the. homes. Where hot water services are involved, ruination may result. In the ease of sanitary clearances an objectionable block occurs. While for the ordinary household services many homos have been inconvenienced by lack of water. When tlio-o matters are thus catalogued, it will be soon how far-reaching is the effect of an interruption in the water supply, and how necessary it is for the authorities to remedy the whole position, and bring about a more secure position. The town is fortunate in having as its source, probably the best water supply in the Dominion. It is not too remote and in the light of service rendered, the installation has not been costly. The water supply has l>een in operation some twenty years now. and it is perhaps not unusual to find defects presenting themselves. Still the defects have been there for some years now, and concern has been felt in j regard to the service ns a whole. As a matter of fact a thorough expert examination of the line, and a general l report on its condition was well overdue. The step should have been taken ' much earlier. It had been proposed previously but that spirit of proerastin- ( ation so often to assert itself intervened. and matters have been delavel p unduly. Now that the inspection has I s been made, and there is some general I f knowledge of the result of the investi- • a gation, it is opportune to congratu- 5 lat-e % Council on tte etep FKen, -

also to note that bad as things have been they are not beyond remedy, and that tlie cost involved is nut likely to press unduly upon the ratepayers. II this is to bo tile happy issue of the position, then it is a matter for all round congratulation, with something el a tinge of regret that the action wi's not taken earlier, and so the quicker relieved anxiety in the matte.-. At one period there was the idea that a new line of race would be necessary or some alternative system of pi mping or other supplementary supply introduced. Fortunately radical change. arc not necessary apparently as it is not proposed to discard the present pipe line three-quarters bi which are considered to he in good condition. 'I ire re are two principal sections which an- defective--at the outlet from the lake and across the Tucker Flat swamp. At some of the syphons where gullies a iv crossed there are also defects. Also there is the need for immediate atten--11 n to the reservoir itself, which leaks with some freedom. This list, however, is not considered alarming, and tit' co t of restoration is not likely to lx l heeoml the means of the local Irmly without adding unduly to the annual rating. If this should prove so, then indeed the ratepayers will have much to he thankful for. and the Council will receive further congratulation. As lire matter stands now flu- prospects of restoring the water supply to an efficient condition within a reasonable time, and at a. cost within resources seems within measurable accomplishment.' For that relief there, will I*> much thanks. The need and urgeuev for the work are indicated in our earlier remarks, and having once placed the matter in the hands of an expert, it is to he hoped the Council will move with all celerity to see the recommendations suggested are carried into effect as soon as the details of the prnjiosals are to hand.