ALLENTON-NETHERBY WATER RACE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XV, Issue 3422, 29 October 1894, Page 2

ALLENTON-NETHERBY WATER RACE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—lt is now pretty well a year since those of us interested m the construction of the AUenton-Netherby water race had the gratification ot seeing the water reach the Netherby district, and rejoiced thai! our efforts were at last crowned with success. We very naturally thought that all our trouble was ended so far aa a water supply was concerned. Experience, however, has somewhat modified our conclusions, and I venture to question if there are any of those who worked hard to get the water now think it was worth their trouble. Before we had the so-called supply we knew what we had to put up with : but now, all is uncertainty ; for if record had been kept, it would have been shown that the water haa hardly ever been running continuously for one whole week since it was first turned on? And now, when moat needed, as the dry weather has set m, for two or three weeks it has been turned off every day. The Borough Council, it is said, is cleaning out the upper part of the race. I fail to see what necessity there existed for leaving the cleaning to so late a period m the season. It could nob have been for want of labor, as there has been enough of that available at any time for the last year to clean put the whole river bed. There aie many ratepayers along the line of race, and they would be only too glad to pay a rate for a permanent supply, but they naturally resent having to pay for a supply they have only m name - only when it suits the pleasure of the Borough Council or somebody else who may have a right to tinker with the supply. If permanent, the supply would be a real boon ; but if, as m the past, it is to be as fitful as are the showers from heaven, I for one would just as soon be without any.— I am, etc., An Interested One,