The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 360, 25 September 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1868.

Few people would ever have anticipated a drought in Westport, or in any other place on the West Coast of New Zealand, but a week's fine weather has brought us nearly to- that pass, and fresh water is rapidly becoming a tradition of the past. All the water butts and a large number of the tanksare exhausted, and we have now only a tew wells or the brackish river water to depend upon for household supplies. The very wells, or at least many of them, prod uce anything but pure fluid, and the water from some is utterly undrinkable. The Camp well is closed to all but the privileged dwellers in that region, and private well proprietors are deriving a handsome revenue from water privileges to families, at the rate of two shillings and sixpence per week. That this state of things will continue is of course very improbable, for at the time of writing, clouds that indicate rain at no distant period, stud the sky, but at the same time, as the summer is now coming on, we may look for them to occur at short intervals. Last summer we had no dry or wa' m weather, but in the coming one we may look for extra heat, and, if we get it, the Maori prediction, so exactly fulfilled last season, will be verified in this. It is therefore certainly well to be prepared for the evil, if evil there be in fine weather, and to take such steps as will prevent the public from drinking unwholesome water during its continuance. A water supply in the extensive sense of the word, would be of course ridiculous to suggest, but means for supplying the town with that great necesshry of life, of such quality as will not injure the people, are both necessary and prudent. At the present time numbers of families are drinking river water that is positively laden with disease, and illness of every description is thus innocently occasioned. Skineruptiionsof ellkinds, diarrhoea, and dysentery, are the most immediate effects of the brackish, almost salt water, that is consumed, whilst fever is at least accelerated by its use. Hotel keepers in this town, are now paying large sums for this very water, as their supplies have run out, and generally the greatest inconvenience is experienced. If by any chance a fire broke out in any part of the town, there are not ten available hogsheads of water to put it out with, The river would have to be relied on, and how utterly useless that would be, if the disaster arose at any distance from its banks, is easy to conjecture. We can only trust to chance or rather providence, to ward off such an evil, for if it arises, we are powerless, and can only look on and watch the distruction. As we have before said the idea of a costly water scheme for Westport, as it is, would be absurd, but without going that length, the residents ought at least to take ordinary precautions to secure themselves as far as possible in this particular, whether from the incursion of disease, or the ravages of fire. In a very large portion of the town, in the Camp reserves we may more especially name, an abundance of good water can be had by sinking a very short distance, and if an artesian well was sunk the supply would be illimitable. The latter however, is not probable at present, and the simple well therefore must be our dependence. If two or three were sunk and properly protected, they would suffice for the town, at present at all events, and their cost would be insignificant. By adding a tank and hose, and a tolerably powerful force pump to each a constant supply could readily be maintained, in case of fire, which might in the earlier stageß of such a calamity be of infinite service, and possibly save ; thousands of pounds worth of property

from destruction. The whole expense would be trifling, and the advantages obtained incalculable, whilst at least some small returns could be obtained from water carters, who would be able to supply their customers far more expeditiously, and at a great less labour. They then only need run their carts under the hose, turn the tap, and have their barrels filled without delay. It would of course be somebody's duty to see that the tanks were kept full, but the cost of that service would be but slight. About £IOO would suffice to complete at least two, and possibly three such wells and tanks in different parts of the town, so as to be most accessible to all and their value would soon be gratefully recognised. Whether the Government would assist in the matter, we know not, but it is probable that they would; surely it would not be difficult to raise the whole sum, if no help could be got from that quarter. As there is no public body to appeal to, we fear that the matter may not be taken up, but as the summer advances the necessity for some such steps will be more and more felt. Let only a few of those most interested take the subject up, and there will-be no trouble in collecting the amount needed. If none care to exert themselves, Westport must get on as it best can. In this, as in a score other things, the actual necessity for a Progress Committee, or some analogous institution is keenly felt.