ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1183, 31 January 1880, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

TO THE EDITORrOF THE OAMARU MAIL. . Sir, —I am only a new arrival in Oamaru, from England, but I hope your readers, and the public generally, will accept the suggestions hero tendered for what they may be worth to the town. On Wednesday last, when the firo bell was rung, I went to see where the fire was,, - and when I got to the place, it was. devouring the buildings on all. sides, and! all for lack of water. The fire engine' was there, but could not be kept working: : for laclc of water (also, I think it was not; in good working order, for I saw the hirtnt with the jet hold the end of it several; times with his hand. The Council hares, waterworks in progress, but they are not, ; likely to have water from them for some time. • They have the pipes also, hut can-not-lay them in the streets for want of funds. The pipes will have to be laid before you can have any water in the town, and my suggestion, is that they be laid in main street at once, according to. the . plans of your engineer ; that a branch pipe be carried to the creek side, near tho. bridge,' in Thames-street ; that a small 1 stationary or threshing machine engine,- ; with hydraulic pumps lie connected to tho - same, and y.ou could then attach ;your--hose to any hydrant or hydrants, on the line of pipes. The next question is,.. Where is the money to conic from, to do. the work? Viewing, the amount of surances on properties periodically stroyed,' I think the insurance, companies " ought to provide the money, without interest, as they would not have to pay foi* -. water used until the water is-ready to come from the reservoir, then the Council Would refund thera'wh'at was advanced.-' i,„ ■ They may say that they have no right to use the funds for such a purpose,; but I think they have, because it woy(ld be 'ns more than buying water engines for themselves, and in this case they would be refunded nearly all expenses.; Thecost would be very small .in comparison _ 'with the risks they are running," and very probably would be saved many times over before the water comes from the new works. If-you kindly insert the above you will ;oblige yours, <&c., ... Samttei, Crawshaw. Wliarf-street, January 30. ■