The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1502, 21 July 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1881.

The question of water-supply for the town of Kuma.ra has for a considerable time past engaged the attention of the Borough Council, and plans have been prepared showing not only the outlines but the details of a plan by which the much required supply of water could be brought in, and at a very moderate outlay. The amount of water which would be available at all times would be far more than sufficient for all purposes, while sufficient pressure could be obtained to throw a jet of water three times the height of any building in Kumara. Another most satisfactory feature in the case is that the whole of the works can be constructed out of the ordinary revenue of the borough, so that the burgesses need not trouble themselves with the idea of loans or rates. There are two most cogent reasons why such a scheme should be carried out, and that as early as possible. At the present time, should a fire take place in the town, building after building must inevitably be destroyed before the devouring element could be checked ; while, under certain conditions, a whole street might be left with nothing but the charred remains of what had been, but an hour or two before, the comfortable abodes of hundreds of inhabitants. Everyone must admit that in all cases where fires have occurred in Kumara, there have been hundreds of willing hands to aid and assist in the work of extinction • but still, the great want has always been a supply of water, and no amount of energetic work, however well directed, could make up for the deficiency. Again, we should remember that a very small amount of property in Kumara is insured, and an extensive conflagration would, except in a very few instances, involve in absolute ruin those whose premises were destroyed. The people of this town know perfectly well when they retire to rest at night that the morning may see them with-

oat a roof over their heads, and, under such circumstances, it is most surprising no scheme of water-supply has been carried out, Nothing shonld be allowed to stand in the way of achieving the desired object. Another reason for providing an efficient water-supply is that it is required For ordinary domestic purposes. Mains could be so placed as to furnish every householder in the principal streets of the town with an unlimited supply. Although during the winter months the tanks are kept well filled, yet in other seasons of the year water has not unfrequently to be carted into the town. This may be avoided in the future if some such scheme as that of which we have made mention is taken in hand. That some suitable provision should be made as early as possible for an amply sufficient water-supply for fire extinguishing and domestic purposes in Kumara should be the earnest wish of every inhabitant of the towu.