The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1885. THE WATER SUPPLY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2121, 16 October 1885, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1885. THE WATER SUPPLY.

We published in our Wednesday's issue the report of Mr Smith on the best means of obtaining a water supply for Masterton, The report seems fairly satisfactory on the face of it, Mr Smith recommends that the water be taken from the Waipipi, where there is a good supply, and from whence a fall of about 180 feet could be obtained, We are quite satisfied that the supply of water and the fall are quite sufficient, and the householders of Masterton ought to consider themselves lucky that they can get the works completed for so small a sum as £7348. We think, , however, that on further consideration it will be found inadvisable to take the water from the Waipipi, This Btream takes its rise in a swamp of about three or four hundred acres, nnd the water that soaks into it so impregnated with putrid vegetable matter that it is totally unfit to drink. Now that a considerable portion of the Waipoua finds its way into it, this is, of coutse, less

noticeable, but a comparison between thp waters of the Waipoua nt the Pairau, where the overflow takes place, and of the Waipipi, will prove that there is a decided difference in favor of the former. We think that this unfortunate fact will prove" sufficient to condemn the Waipipi scheme. Turning to the other sources, we find that .Mr Smith mentions the Blaok Creek, which, he very rightly states, is too far away, and the Waipiripiri and Whakamohikahu, The first named of these two is in reality a branch of the Waipoua, while the other is a tributary of that river, and joins at a point about four miles from Masterto'n. It is evident that the pressure from the Waipiripiri would not be sufficient for putting out fires, and there is therefore no good purpose to be served by considering it further. We think, however, that a further examination of the Whakamohikahu would lead to most satisfactory results" The creek has a good supply of splendid water, runs rapidly, and has therefore a considerable fall, and the lower part of its bed is nearly at right angles to that of the Waipoua, Following the Matahiwi road from Akura, it would be struck about three-quarters of a mile (following the windings) from the junction, From this point a considerable fall could be obtained, and the distance would not be much greater than to the junction, As a stranger to the place, Mr Smith could not reasonably be supposed to make an exhaustive report on such a subject—a subject which, by the way, does not come within the terms of his agreement with the Borough Council—in the short time at his disposal, We therefore suggest that he be requested to examine the locality indicated, with a view to making a supplementary report. Considering the fact that the Waipipi watei cannot be commended for domestic purposes, a further examination in the direction we have indicated should prove of considerable importance,