In Reply to Aquarius.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3655, 26 May 1906, Page 3

In Reply to Aquarius.

MORE SCHEMES.

[We do not hold ourselves responsible for opinions expressed BY OUR CORRESPONdent§.]

(TO EDITOR OF MANAWATU HERALD.) ' Sir, —As I am evidently mis- ; Understood by your correspondent “ Aquarius,” by him charging Me with a position I wish corrected,, kindly allow me space in your valuable columns to briefly reply. I am only too willing to support any measure for the benefit of the, town, in part or whole, and deny i saying that ‘ ‘ I would not support a water scheme with a reservoir . near the township.” I did say that I objected to artesian water j supply because results of testing wells in district showed water unsuitable for general domestic purpuses. To speak more fully too I think the idea more than a rash one as it appears most unlikely to say the least that unless a great number of pipes were sunk, sufficient water, good bad or in-1 different, could not be obtained to ■ supply Foxton. I expressed my- j self upon the hill’s supply as being j the only source that would alone i prove practical for all emergencies in the present and future, and I earnestly hoped no rash measures would be adopted that would be a barrier to something better. I was and am still in favour of a committee being set up to specially dial with the water supply of the Borough either, in part or whole. I said I leaned towards the ferry hill in preference to racecourse because though lower it was near the river and nearer town. Two schemes should be studied. The first merely a supply of water for fire extinction only, which could be pumped directly from the river into a reservoir built on ferry hill | and laid on through pipes to any part of the town where desired and ready for connecting manual engine in the event of fire. This reservoir could probably be filled by one or more strong windmill | and pump. The second scheme is to build a larger reservoir in the same hill, sink a well into the metal bed below the bottom of the river by said hill and undoubtedly an everlasting supply of good water would be filtered through. This would be pumped up; and some powerful means would be required to lift the water into the reservoir. I would like to add that I have been leaning towards this scheme for some years, but so far have not been able to obtain any expert opinion. There are many things for a committee to go into too numerous for me to give in detail. Before any water scheme is approved it is necessary to study carefully the pros and cons most and practically. Then ~ the wishes of ratepayers is the next awl after all tbs chief point, as they decide whether they are prepared to pay extra rates or no. I still personally question and W‘ll until these two matters are

considered whether extra tanks accommodation is not the only source that can at present give residents sufficient water for domestic purposes .within the limits of their pockets. Again thanking you for valuable space I will conclude hy reminding burgesses that i I in l tend most zealously to continue to do my duty to advance and benefit the town in every way I can. I am etc.,

S. H. Baker.