WATER SUPPLY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5504, 22 November 1929, Page 2

WATER SUPPLY.

LACK OF PRESSURE. QUESTION TO BE GONE INTO. A leader in the “Hauraki Plains Gazette” of March 25, 1929, on the question of Paeroa’s water supply contained the following extract from the Paeroa Borough Council’s works committee’s report dated March 14, 1929 : “Owing to reduction of pressure and shortage of supply it was found necessary to prohibit the use of all garden hoses. This restriction has had the desired effect, but under existing conditions there will be an annual recurrence of low pressure during dry weather, resulting in almost entire absence of supply to consumers on the high levels. The new dam which the County Council is now erecting will not improve this matter, but it will doubtless for some time obviate the shortage of supply. Several remedial measures are possible, but as this council is nearing the end of its term of office it is probably wisest to refer this matter to the most serious consideration of the incoming council.”

In view of the resolution passed at the last meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council —reported at the end of this article —the remainder of the leader makes interesting reading. “The question of scarcity of water during the months has been a seasonable dread hanging over the heads of Paeroa’s citizens for as many years as there has been need for an adequate piped supply. Hopes that this dread would perhaps be removed with the completion of the dam are now most effectively dispersed by the committee’s report. The town will be no better off than before. The incoming council will be performing a public duty, and an act long due, if on taking office it immediately sets about devising ways and means of settling the questiojj once and for all. The longer procrastination goes on the worse and more vexatious the problem will become ; for as year succeeds year an increased call is made on water supply, and with the increase of Paeroa’s population, which is undoubtedly coming, it will pass beyond the stage of cutting off garden hoses and become definitely and deadly acute. As the present small population cannot be properly supplied this is obvious. Apart altogether from water for household purposes, etc., how unfair it is, when it comes to fire, to residents on the higher levels, where, admittedly, at times no water is available for fire-fighting purposes. Is this fair to those ratepayers ? To make them pay for what they do not receive is rather a questionable practice. As it is, the country loses too much already from fire loss without the non-provision of the most urgent and necessary preventive requisite to those on Paeroa’s uplands. A comprehensive, broadvisioned scheme is the only answer to the present conditions. No more nibbling, with the consequent waste of money ; but a long-sighted and sane project under the guidance of experts. Paeroa’s roads were once, in the not-long-distant past, an absolute disgrace to the town. Now they are a justified pride to the inhabitants, inviting and receiving unstinted praise from visitors : and they remain a visible testimony to the council responsible. One council is about to leave office with this great accomplishment to its credit. At the commencement of the borough reading scheme all was not a bed of roses ; but, notwithstanding, the council succeeded, and there is no reason why an incoming council could not, or should not, through their efforts, leave behind them a monument in the form of an adequate water supply for now and for posterity.” Council’s Decision. That the Paeroa Borough Council is thoroughly in earnest on the question was evidenced at its last meeting, when it was decided to call in expert advise, At that meeting the following resolution was passed : — “That His Worship the Mayor and the chairman of the Finance Committee be empowered to arrange with Mr W. P. Worley for advice in regard to the necessity to overcome the trouble due to reduction of pressure which was experienced during the dry periods of last summer.” For the sake of all concerned it is sincerely to be hoped that through their efforts the members of the present Paeroa Borough Council will “leave behind them a monument in the form of an adequate water supply for now and for posterity.”