THE CAMBRIDGE, WATER SUPPLY.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1526, 15 April 1882, Page 2

THE CAMBRIDGE, WATER SUPPLY.

Tjib necessity of a permanent water supply for Cambridge is again becoming manifest, and the business people, together with a considerable number of othei property holders are beginning to discovei that provision against fire is becoming indispensable. Fully twelve months ago we advocated the necessity ot such a step, and published a series of articles dealing with the pxobable cost of such a venture, and the apparent advantages arising therefrom. The first ■schema brought under the pnblic notice was that m connection -with the works of thp Waikato Steam Navigation Company, and this for a time received a considerable share of public favour. A public meeting was called, and an estimate of the woi'k submitted by Mr T. Wells, with whom the scheme originated, and in whom it had a staunch advocate. Some of those present 3eemed to have certain misgivings about the sincerity of the Company, and construed their philanthropy into something akin to personal interestedness. But we do not believe that the Company were actuated by either of these motives, the scheme being meiely a matter of mutual benefit. Shortly af^ev this proposition had been permitted to lapse, a self-appointed committee of gentlemen, with the asiiistance or Mr G-wynneth, C.E., entered upon the consideration of a more permaueat scheme of water supply, and the result of their enquiries and explorations we published in a detailed form. It may not be out of place, considering the time that has since elapsed and the apathy since manifested, to republish 'some of the particulars of Mr Gwynneth's report to the committee. The scheme in connection with the 'Karapiro stream, is estimated to supply 84,480 gallons, from au altitude of 190 fejst, at a cost of £7,600. That in connection with the Maungakawa stream is estimated - M to supply 156,000 gallons, from an altitude of 300 feet, at a cost of £3,900. . That in .connection' with the Pukekura stream 84,480 gallons, from' an altitude of, 200 feet, at a cost of £4,-500; and that in connection with Hally's Creek 150,000 gallons, from an altitude of 250 feet, at a cost of £3,700. We simply quote these figures to give an idea of the cost of introducing water into the town. As necessity is the mother of invention, >it is possible, that a water supply may be obtained at a less cost. Those who entertain objections to the imposition of a special water rate, should consider that the people of Hamilton are paying dnter'est on a sum almost equal to the estimated cost of the most expensive of the schemes above noted. We have been induced to again urge upon the people of Cambridge the necessity of a water } supply owing to the rates of insurance having been raised considerably of late by the various companies. ' One business man applied recently to have his policy increased, but his application not being entertained he had to make overtures to another company, who issued a policy at an unreasonably high price. , The insurance companies are fully alive, to the fact that once a fire' gets a hold in Cambridge there is nothing whatever ,tO[ check it before the entire town is des-, troyed.i The numerous outbreaks of fire which have occurred in Cambridge s ,of , late should serve to show that a disastrous fir 6 is not oulyp'ofclible b«'t probable. Theie are several other considerations which go to show the value of a suitable water supply, which will have to be considered "sooner or later. Of course we are , fully aware that nothing can be done att present towards carrying any schefae into execution, the local body not- having the necessary power to borrow money for such a purpose, but as the day upon which' the Town jDisoricts Act comes iiitp force is near at hand we are ' anxious' that the people should be ready to endorse the action of the board ( in_ moving* in this matter, and also that no furtiher unnecessary delay ehould^be experienced. v (

, ,A Oubious Ga.se of Alleged-,-Poach-j ing.~ At 'Wigtown 'the" otheifday an old woman/ named M'Cutchdon 1 was brought before tKe sheriff, charged rath, po^cSng,. & a, qne3tion ; ard^e' as H t(rwhe f tfi§r''a * woman -was a 'person 3 under the; Trespass, Act, which" /jisi worde/i in t ihe gender. On the* other hanav it, VaS ! iuWitt6d that.,tHeJ AcL.specified '^'*any 'person whatsoever.'!. j^his.'knQtty^ Egi^t '$ms6Tsf, 'hoyeyer,;decided,J;he sheriff,''holding-"the t tprQyen,tttH^y^6jfdBhip •yjlioiiAHt'; it; '^eftl thaii^ ' ;|atheriag; i sti^k§(ito]^a;iplffit^pn,f,*^ fo^n^he;,rabjyai;rajA^appropn^di|^ *$