The Lyttelton Times. Wednesday, October 21.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 518, 21 October 1857, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. Wednesday, October 21.

We feel it our duty to point out the necessity for greater haste than is at present displayed in the construction of the public wells in Lyttelton. The question of a sufficient supply of water for this town is one in which considerations of health and comfort cause every resident in the town and its neighbourhood to take the deepest interest. Strangers arriving- in this settlement, and particularly large bodies of emigrants, are most disagreeably affected by the badness of the water, and the difficulty of obtaining it in the warm weather; for ourselves, we need scarcely recall the circumstances of last summer to account for our anxiety to see that provision is made for the ensuing dry season. Durinothe winter that has just passed, and up to the present time, our water supply has been considerably shorter than it was at the corresponding period of last year. It is possible that the ensuing summer may also exceed the last in drought. At least, we know that dry seasons have occurred of more prolonged and more intense heat than we experienced then j and the fear of the possible recurrence of" such a season obliges us to urge the Government to take the necessary measures to avoid the disasters which would follow it, while there is still time. Two wells on the beach have been fitted with pumps, a third well has been sunk by the Custom House, a fourth by the Barracks, long disused, has been opened and re-fitted as a draw well; and another has been sunk in the jail-yard These are all useful works ; but they are not calculated to supply the great want that we feel, the deficiency of water in the upper parts of the town where dwelling houses are most numerous. Sites have we know, been pointed out where an abundant supply of water is certain to be found at a moderate depth, and in very convenient situations for public use ; and the

construction of several private wells has established the fact that there is in reality no deficiency. We ask then to have the sum appropriated for this purpose by the Council expended Avithout delay to avert the misery of a want like that of last summer, perhaps even worse. We ask it for our comfort, for our health, for the very character of our town.