THE WATER SUPPLY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9050, 8 February 1908, Page 5

THE WATER SUPPLY.

(To the Editor). Sir,—lf anything would arouse the somnolent individuals who compose the Borough Council of the town into some energy and make them alive to their responsibilites it is surely the disgraceful condition of the water supply. Within the last few hours two incipient fires have occurred, which, had they got a fair hold, would have caused widespread devastation and loss in the absence of a proper supply of water. The business acumen of the Council shows out prominently when the care uf keeping the intake clean of obstructions is relegated to the tender mercies of a boy receiving the munificent sum of 5s per week. It may well be asked would the individuals who comprise the Council, in their private capacity as business men, place a youth in charge of tens of thousands of pounds worth of property?—l think not. Yet these individuals as a Council, having the care of hundreds of thousands of pounds worth' of property—to say nothing of valuable human lives hanging on the efficient supply of water thrust the responsibility on the shoulders of a boy. With the present weather conditions and the amount of dry vegetation that is liable to be shifted about by even a moderate breeze of wind, points to the necessity of a most careful inspection of the intake being made at short intervals during the day and even at night.—l am, etc., CAREFUL.