CHEAPER WATER.

Kumara Times, Issue 2583, 15 December 1884, Page 3

CHEAPER WATER.

[to the editor.] Sir—There has been a great deal said and written about the vexed question of cheaper water in Kumara, and I think we have tried every legitimate means to obtain a redress of this grievance without any avail. There is still one course left open to pursue, and to my mind the proper one. Let all the parties on the field—those using Holmes' water as well as those using Government water—sign an agreement not to take any after the holidays, for sluicing purposes, until there is a reduction made of one-third, viz., £'2 per head per week, instead of £3. I know there are some who will say it is no use ; what do Government care how long we remain idle? they can stand it better than us. That is all bunkum, it is the money of the whole colony that will be running to waste down the Kapitea Creek so long as we are idle ; and there would soon be such an outcry in every paper in New Zealand that the Government would have to submit. There was an electioneering cry got up one time, " Money against Brains." In this particular instance, there is an under-current of money, brains, and influence working against the reduction in tho price of water. 1 am quite confident if we pursued this course to a man, we would not be many days idle. Someone wrote about " silent volcanoes being amongst us ready to burst forth at any time." I don't believe in any unlawful or rowdy means being resorted to. I never saw any good results come from them. There are others again who ate slightly in arrears with their payments for water; they would not care to sign. This is the more reason why they should sign—they would be the sooner able to wipe off the old score; but I think it would be advisable to make an effort and pay up at Christmas, as I know this was one of the objections advanced by the Minister for Mines to the delegates, viz., " That the miners were so far behind in their payments that they could not see their way clear to make a reduction at present." Mr Holmes' customers hrve quite as much to do in this agitation as those using Government water. I heard some time ago that Mr Holmes was prepared to reduce the price of water if the Government did so. Now, if Mr Holmes has any ambition for fame, by taking the initiative in this matter, his name would be recorded in the future history of our colony as a New Zealand philautrophist; and we of the present day would ever pray for him and his posterity. John White. Dillman's, December 15, 1884.