Ashburton Guardian Megna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1904. THE ALLENTON WATER PEOPOSALS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 6208, 2 March 1904, Page 2

Ashburton Guardian Megna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1904. THE ALLENTON WATER PEOPOSALS

Councim,ob Timmins' proposal to extend the benefits of the existing channel supplies to the Allenton people is doubtless made in view of the growing scarcity of water, as evidenced by the failing well supplies, not merely in that suburb of Ashburton, but also in the town itself. There need be little or no difficulty in establishing a case for relief, for that is apparent on the facts, and so long as the burgesses are not called upon to pay for the water supplied to the Allenton people, nor inconvenienced by the diversion of the water from the Winter's

road supply, it is probable no very serious i objection will be urged to the projected 1 extension of the channel system. At the same time the latter has its disadvantages, p.ni these are of such a character that/ we may well urge careful consideration of; any proposals which are afc all likely to perpetuate a system which, from the sanitary and health standpoint, is not without its dangera to the municipality. Purity of the water supplies in uae throughout the Borough ought to be the first consideration with the municipal authorities. On this score no fault can possibly be found with tae well supplies— where they exist—used by private house holders, and obtained at their own expense. With the tank and channel supplies it is different, the catchment area of the former and the water in the latter being both liable to contamination, and serious coutamination at that If the open channels were used merely as a means of carrying the river water through the town, the dangar of pollution would be lessened, though by uo means obviated. But as» they" are also made the medium fon conveying away the household and surfaca drainaga of the towu, the use of the! ohannel water for domestic purposes caul only bo deprecated as inimical to the 1 health of the community, and as helping to spread those epidemical diseases such as scarlptina and measles, which seem to be periodically making their appearance amongst uf. Andj in considering, the Allenton proposals, the Borough Council should weigh, well this aspect of the question. If, as we understand them, they propose to divert a portion of the water from the Winter's Eoad and Alford Forest Eoad channels, with a view to bringing them through Allenton, by means iof other channels reticulating the main streets of that suburb, the proposals are open to the very serious objection that they would increase the danger of epidamical outbursts spreading, by adding to the already prolific sources of contamination. It is scarcely desirable that the burgesses of Ashburton should have the Allenton surface and household drainage passing their doorsj and although there may be no presenti intention er idea of allowing such drainage* to enter the projected channels, their construction would undoubtedly lead to their ultimate use for these purposes also,: as has been the case in Ashburton, And thus there is evident need for care in dealing with the proposals. • But the fact \ of their having been made, together with the manifest want that exists in the Borough for fche introduction of a proper water supply, suggests the advisability ofl the Council taking time by the forelock! and enquiring into the possibility of dcvis J, ing a scheme which would be effective for I both the burgesses of Ashburtou and the residents of Allenton. The money which would have to be expended on the construction^ open channels in Alleuton and in increasing tih& supply from the Wakanui creek, would fee J&iwfc better applied in providing!permanent suDpitea#j'#ure water, and that thpse can be obtained at campara: tively trifling cost to the ratepayers, as' compared with the present costly and inefficient supplies, is beyond question. The shortage apparent in the river supplies during ih& present scagon is in itself suggestive of the ultimate breakdown of the^ channel supplies, unless %ey#re augmented, from some more permanent source, $uch as S would be afforded by reservoirs constructed'! on the terraces higher up the river. It: will j scarcely have escaped notice that a shortage. of water was reported by the Foreman of Works at the Borough Council meeting on Monday, and the Hospital Committee are pgain in straits over the failing water' f ,tipply at the institution controlled by them. 1 fee Council has a right to enquire into these matters, as also into the failure of tha supplies in ih& north-west and south-east portions of the town, to meet, as far as possible., the requirements of tha bjjrgessos.. Weve the Council prepared with a scheme, wfo'ch ifccould recommend for the accept-: #&".e of the burgesses, the probabilities' are '. th^re would b« no further Opposition to the. introduction of #h%<i pressure water supply? And we Fay this advisedly, a»d. in faoo of the rough and ready referendum taken by, ths Council on the water supply question j last y<w, for owly a yery small proportion \ of the trargeases took the trouble .to record I their opinions on thai; occasion, and those who did so were acting wispufc pliable data: ?£ any kind, «m& were simply asked to what.; extent they were prspftredto tax themselves for the introduction of ft problematical Rimnlv.