HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 347, 30 October 1875, Page 3

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.

A NEW MOTIVE POWER WANTED. Some two months ago we noticed the progress made, in the Thames Water Supply, and adverted to the fact that the specifications for Si the "distribution schedule" having been forwarded to the Government, we might reasonably expect that tenders for this work would soon be called for. In this we have been wofully disappointed, and the expectations we' cherished ot the work being completed by Christmas of this year are not likely to be realised. It is altogether too bad. Many thousands of pounds of public money have already been expended on this water race, as far as its practical utility is concerned we seem as far off as ever. There seems to be no reason why the finishing stroke should not have been put to the work long ago, and we should like to know whether the delay is owing to a pressure of work in the head office of the Public Works Department, or whether it is owing to a premeditated action on the part of the Government. One or the other must be responsible, as the necessary plans have been forwarded long ago, and ought in the course of business to have been before the public. Perhaps the delay is but a-part of a plan to keep the Thames in a state of expectancy regarding the completion of a work which, but for all governmental delays ought long since to have been in operation. This question possesses more than a local interest. If the water supply were available it would soon be of revenue to the Government, but the latter appears to be. a minor consideration. Unless this matter is stirred up we may be in a state of expectancy this time next year, and it would be a pertinent question for our solitary member to ask why tenders -have not been ..called for the last section of the scheme for a water supply for the Thames, seeing that the necessary plans have been ready such a time.—'Thames Star.*