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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1194, 6 November 1882, Page 2

Water, give us water. Such must be the endorsement of the public on the next opportunity for the ratepayers to express their sentiments, and this time it should be done only by the ballot. It is of no use to call a public meeting and have the platform occupied by trained speakers who argue against progress because it does not suit their pockets. Whether the peculiarly dry season we are now passing through will have changed their ideas or not we do not know ; most likely it will not. There are three classes of persons who were opposed to the water scheme the last time it was brought before the public, viz., those who are well-to-do property owners, who hold their lands and houses and have individually all the water stored to serve their domestic or business requirements for a long period ; those tradesmen and others who are well supplied and do not look an inch beyond their noses ; and, those who objected on the score of the expense. The utter selfishness of the first two classes of persons need not be pointed out—they would sacrifice the public interest rather than undergo the slightest additional burthen of taxation, which, according to their views, would be the only result of bringing into the town a sufficient supply, they ignore the fact that they are at the present moment paying heavily for their insurance, in fact paying for the want of a water supply to foreign insurance companies ; it is quite possible to show that the reduction in the rate of insurance alone without any of the other blessings which would be derived would deeply cover the interest upon even a larger amount of indebtedness than that proposed by Mr Clarke. To those who objected on the score of expense we have need only to point out the absolute necessity of securing a good and wholesome domestic water, in order to prevent the loss of life that occurs every year during the hottest months from fevers, caused in many instances by the use of the fetid water which, however, looks so bright that is everywhere in abundance within ten feet or so under the whole of the township. Even at the present moment tanks are so badly supplied for want of rain, that many of the poorer class of our community are consuming this abominable fluid which assuredly will bring death to many doors. It is, therefore, necessary that when the question of water supply has to be decided by a ballot of the citizens, that the talkers will not have their own way, but that the working men will take the matter in hand with the determination of carrying it through. The sum to be raised, say £12,000, may be obtained at a rate of 6 per cent., or a total liability of £720 per annum, which is an amount that will not be felt as an addititional burthen when we consider the large increase of rateable property which is also accumulating in value every year. One thing must not be forgotton that water must be obtained, and the longer the subject is delayed the probability is that of much greater cost.