’Phone 28 – – – P.O. Box 44 Office – – – – Oxford Place THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1928. THE REQUEST FOR WATER.

Putaruru Press, 19 January 1928, Page 4

’Phone 28 - - - P.O. Box 44 Office - - - - Oxford Place THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1928. THE REQUEST FOR WATER.

IT would be folly to condemn offhand the request made by 3 deputation of local ratepayers to the Putaruru Town Board for the installation of a water supply system. To many the matter may seem premature, more especially in view of the commitments of the board with regard to its roads and other works loan. Though a water supply was fully discussed by members some months ago, this was the attitude adopted by the majority, and the question was shelved for the time being.

The recent drought, however, has totally altered the general viewpoint, and has driven home in a marked manner the urgent need of an adequate supply of pure water. After some twelve weeks without heavy rain, only those fortunate enough to have water bores, or some such means of supply, are not feeling the shortage. Those who are short appear to be unanimous that they should not be again caught another year in a similar manner, and as several ratepayers are considering going to the expense of putting in a private supply of their own they naturally desired to know if the Town Board proposed to move in the matter.

To this extent the hands of the board have been forced, and quite rightly they unanimously decided to get an estimate of the cost of a suitable scheme. Until this is provided by the engineer it is too early to express a definite opinion one way or the other, but this much may be said: Tirau, with about a score of houses connected, has already got a highly satisfactory water supply system in operation. In proportion, the suggested local proposal from the Oraka should cost less. If the scheme complies with the requirements of the Underwriters’ Association, as it should do in a town the size of Putaruru, insurance premiums will drop. A satisfactory scheme, if evolved, can be carried out without, for the time being, an accompanying sewerage system. This being so, all that remains to be considered is the question of cost and its opportuneness. The report by the engineer is to be secured as urgently as possible, rnd with this data in hand the board will have to view the matter in conjunction with its present loan proposals already sanctioned by ratepayers, and decide on the action it will take. To most people the need cf an adequate supply of pure water is an essential, and the present shortage is so acute that provided the cost is reasonable it appears that the j general opinion will be solidly in favour of a scheme being gone on with as early as is convenient.