THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, APRIL 14, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3167, 14 April 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, APRIL 14, 1879.

We wish to call the attention—of our Shortland residents especially—to one fact, and trust that at least the instinct of self-preservation will stir them to activity, and urge them to demand consideration at the hands of the Water Supply Corporation. We state upon the authority of the Water Supply Committee that the 4-inch main at present supplying the township from the corner of Pollen and Albert streets to the corner of Rolleston and Grey streets, is not carrying more than one and a*half inches, or at most * two inches of water. Looking at this from a domestic supply point of view, it may be considered sufficient for the demand, but remembring that in case of fire^a two inch stream of water is only available to extinguish or retard the progress of the devouring element, the matter then is worthy of consideration, and calls for prompt attention. The utility of a good supply of water was exemplified at the late fire in Grahamstown; but 'the result would have been quite different if the building had been situated anywhere in Pollen street, instead of in Owen street, Grahamstown. Through the exertions of a few members of the Water Supply Committee and the Borough Council, a large 10 inch main has been laid through the principal streets of Grahamstown, and comparatively speaking the buildings along the course of the main are safe; but it is quite different along the whole length of Pollen street, and the, streets leading from it in Shortland. In justice to the Water Supply Committee it should be stated that a quantity of 10-inch pipeß bare been

ordered for the purpose of supplying Skortland, but there is very little probability of the same being laid down, owing to the unfortunate financial position of that corporation. The situation, has been brought about principally by the disagreement between the members of the Committee representing the Borough and .the County, and has really degenerated into one of the numerous petty quarrels of our governing bodies. The situation of Shortland, and the little prospect there is to hope for a change, should induce the residents to look after their interests, or at least to urge upon their representatives to give attention to their position. Tho Bank of New Zealand, owing to the want of unanimity in the Water Supply Committee, in the first place, and the little prospect there is to look forward for my revenue from the corporation as at present constituted, has refused to advance any funds for furthering the works of the Committee, or even to pay the liabilities already incurred. Thi3 state of matters would be remedied if the whole supply were vested in the Borough, for under the Municipal Corporations Act a special rate could be levied and collected as other rates are, and a stated revenue might be looked forward to, which would in some measure be a security to the Bank for any advances made, and would enable the supply to be and the interests of e»ch Ward of the Borough attended to. The situation has now been laid before tho owners of property, and the residents of Shortland, and if they are so indifferent to their welfare as to allow a difference of opinion between a few individuals clothed in a little brief authority, to so jeopardize their property and effects, they may some morning find themselves homeless, and will then be able to understand the position they had drifted into, and realize the Value of our warning.