The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, September 16, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1044, 16 September 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, September 16, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Eesewheke in this issue we publish a somewhat remarkable article from the columns of our esteemed Levin contemporary in respect to Foxton’s attitude on the water supply question. Our con temporary appears to be greatly concerned on the point and informs its readers that we are a “sand-swept centre,” and our house-owners fail to supply a sufficiency of tanks for their tenants, and, in fact, to use its own words “Foxtou is the somnolent borough of let things wait; the town of grudge a penny ; the home of municipal ineffectiveness.” Such rash criticism is quite uncalled for as are the reflections cast upon our city lathers. The previous Council employed a competent engineer to go into the question of a water supply from an artesian source and the proposals for same were submitted to the ratepayers, who rejected them. A large number of those who opposed the artesian scheme said they preferred a supply from the Shannon hills. The present Council stand committed to obtain necessary information re such a scheme, and when this is forthcoming the matter will again be placed before the ratepayers. It also gave full consideration to Levin's proposal to tap its water supply, but found such a proposal would be far too costly. The Council has endeavoured to carry out a progressive policy, and having failed for the time being with the foremost plank—for it still considers water and drainage of paramount importance —acquired the gas works, and has erected a municipal hall —which, by the way, is the envy of our young and progressive sister borough. It is true that Foxtou remained stationary for many years, but a change has taken place, and big strides have been made in educating the people to a higher standard of municipal requirements. We believe “Festina Lenta” is a belter motto than ; “Boom and Bust.” We thank our contemporary for its careful oversight of Foxton and can assure it that our public men are quite capable of administering its affairs without any outside assistance.

We don’t know who is responsible for the colour scheme of the interior of the Coronation Hall, but it does not accord with present day sanitary enlightenment, whatever might be the artistic effects. The paint chosen is red tor the greater portion of the walls, which tends to darken the interior. A paint should have been selected which would have reflected as much light as possible. We can’t beat light as a germ killer, and the more light retained in a building the healthier and fresher it is. The darker the colour the more gloomier the interior. Here are a few facts concerning which may be useful in the selection of wall papers for house decorating. White reflects fourfifths of the light, chromeyellow six-tenths, orange fivetenths, yellow four-tenths ; light blue absorbs three-fourth of the light ; light brown and emerald green and blue reflect only two-tenths of the light ; dark brown, vermilion, blue-green, and cobalt blue absorb nearly niuetenths and reflect only a trifle more than one-tenth of the light. It will be seen, therefore, that the colour scheme for the interior of our hall has not been selected with a view to hygeue.