THE LATE FIRE AND THE WATER SUPPLY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5179, 27 October 1877, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE LATE FIRE AND THE WATER SUPPLY.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir,: —!n reference to the late fire, will you kindly allow me through your columns to say that no censure can be pronounced too severe by the whole community upon those who are to blame for the turning off the water on Monday night, at a time when Providence is blessing us with rain in abundance. Let the water be turned on every night after 10 o’clock, a time when the bulk of the people retire to rest, and let a very heavy penalty attach to those who wilfully and negligently waste or cause to be wasted the water, so that in the event of a fire the fire brigades may have full freedom of action in endeavoring to save the lives and property of their fellow-creatures. Allow me to say I deeply sympathise with the friends of the poor sufferers by the late calamity. I am, &c., Henry Walton. Glen Craigie, October 23. TO THE EDITOR OE Til Z NEW ZEALAND T131E3. Sir, —How long will the inhabitants of this city quietly submit to the present management of the water supply ? We had last night another proof of the way in which it is mismanaged, and it is a perfect marvel that you had not to chronicle a fire far more disastrous in its results. Sir, one has only to walk round this city any day, and ho will, with very little trouble, see that there is far more water used daily for machine driving, hydraulic lifts, See., than can possibly be used for domestic purposes, the latter being the principal object for which so much money has been borrowed, and such a fine scheme for water supply adopted. Surely sir, the City Council should take immediate steps to stop all use of water, other than for domestic purposes, till they have their main reservoir completed and a supply of water on hand that will justify its use for machine driving and the like. This would enable them in the interim to keep a full pressure constantly in the mains throughout the city, which would be available immediately in case of fire, and give your noble fire brigades a chance to fairly cope with any fire, and prevent such distressing and calamitous results as occurred last night. I need make no apology for asking space for this lettol' in one of your early issues,—l am, &c., M.H.R. Wellington, October 23.