THE "WET" PROBLEM.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 16, 26 February 1915, Page 1

THE "WET" PROBLEM.

'Continued')

By S 1 kltat

Yes, my Fellow Free and independents, the columns oi a rowspaper are too limited for elaborating any subject. Therefore your humble scribe must endtavnur to state the case on the "wet" question as briefly as possible. The man in the street (needless to say behind his hand, for that is his usual way of conversation), says the selection of the pumping site by the old Town Board was a "JOB," conveying the impression every letter in that word is a great big "capital." But Scrutator begins to think the man in the street is a lying ".lade," because the villitied ones say "pure water," and as that certainly is the first essential where water fcr human consumption is concerned, we can safely accept their statement. But, as we are well aware, quality alone will not satisfy the abnormal thirst of many of us—for truly we are great drinkers—therefore quality is also required. But as that is in short measure "The Seers," the "Cunning Ones" ana the "Wiseacres" (after an event) cow say Hickey's Dam.' Sn to this muchlauded place Srutator went to investigate. Yes, a full supply—r,o bores to put down. Elevation evidently higher than present site, therefore lighter and consequently less expensive lift to reservoir; picturesque surroundings, but closely settled. Ah! my Seers, Cunning Ones and Wiseacres, What about the first essential, "purity?" For we kttow nothing can be pure if contaminated. Therefore a surface water eupply should come from virgin country. But of course our worthy Mayor has known that all the time, and, no doubt, with his usual business acumen and foresight has a scneme already thought out to get over this apparent difficulty. Anyway we will assume that is so, also the pumping plant removed and erected at the new site and connecting pipe joined up to existing system. What my fellow Free and Independents is to be done with that "defective valve" which causes a serious loss of water throughout the day. What did you suggest ray worthy wiieacres-put in a new one? Yes, certainly; but within one week the new one will be again defective! What then? Continue the expensive method of pumping up water to run to waste as it now does, or shall we take a practical and empower our worthy Masters, the Mayor and Councillors, to have another clam constructed at a much lower level. What, my fellow ratepayers, did I heat you say "equitable adjustment'.'" Why, certainly, if the rates are levied unjustly there must be an alteration, so out with your grievance, Mr Vested Interests. What, you mortgaged your property in the old Town Board area in good faith to secure the water supply and you have all along paid the assessment necessary, viz., id of a penny in the £ to provide

■nterest and sicking fund, Ls.-Uu* paying for water consumed, and you do rot think you a;? petting a square deal since the Borough was

formed and an extended area given the satr.e water facilities uj yourself without shouldering a share of the loan burden? Then why did you not'make a stipulation when ycu asked the outsids area people to come into your Borough scheme? Was it because you knew your Borough scheme would be defeated if such proposal had been made, or was it because you thought the charge of Is 9d per 1000 gallons, compared to your 13 :Jd, would equalise the burden? Now give a straight answer, Mr Vested Interests, no behind-the-hand business, please.

Ah? another grievance: Our worthy Masters, the Mayor and Councillors, have not been able to find the actual annual cost, in working expenses, etc., of the water supply; consequently the rate levied is unjust. No, no, Mr Vested Interests, Scrutator fails to absorb your statement, and you must know it is not a statement of fact when you make it, because Id of a penny in the £ produces £7J6 p?r annum, and the whole expenditure, last year, in connection with the water supply for I'ukekohe, including, of course, interest, sinking fund, wages, etc., was £703, thus showing a credit balance on this account of £2B. Surely this Bhowa suliiciently good finance to satisfy any reasonable person; yes, even yourself, Mr Vested Interests. But your contention if further liability has to be incurred to make water supply thoroughly efficient such should be levied equally over the whole water area seems only just, and should be taken as a working basis for future proposals and if cariied out would consign all financial difficulties in connection viith water supply to Oblivion, because a Id rate over the whole area would produce £1607 per annum, In a future issue Scrutator will endeavour to demonstrate the pros and cons for a less expensive but fully adequate water supply than Pukekohe now possesses.