HAMPSTEAD WATER SUPPLY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9498, 23 April 1921, Page 5

HAMPSTEAD WATER SUPPLY.

Sir,— ln your issue of Thursday you published the recommendation of the Water Supply Committee, which is apt to be misleading Without the covering report of the enginW. The engineer s main idea m his report is to hasten the time when the residents of Hampstead who do not live on the belt, or who are not at present connected, will have the benefit of the high-pressure water supply. As it is a foregone conclusion that the annual recurring rate for interest, and sinking fund on any loan raised for the reticulation of Hampstead is bound to be relatively higher than that of the Borough, it r impossible to fix a lower rate for thof already on meters, m fairness to thq who have no supply, otherwise ,t latter may. be precluded for all ti from getting the water. Probably • fairest or more equitable way to ser reduction woijild be for the enginee" prepare an estimate for the reticule of Hampstead and ascertain what annual rate thereon would amour/

and charge this amount, plue Borough water rate to those res already connected, thus placin & ~-±~ residents already connected m an unbiased position as regards voting for a loan. The reason for not adopting or recommending: this course at once was that any estimate now -framed would be on high cost of material and labour, which at present is exceptionally high, but shows a tendency to drop at an early date, so that any delay m forming an estimate would be more advantageous to those already connected, as the annual recurring rate would be lower. To try and further the interests of Hampstead, the writer went into the matter with the officers of the IFire Brigade soon after the amalgamation, and it was suggested as a temporary arrangement for fire prevention that a main be laid" down Wakanui Road, Beach Road, and continuation of Havelock and Tancred streets. It was, however, impossible to arrive at any equitable rating, should this have been done. The Water Supply Committee was unanimous m its opinion that something should be done for water supply to Hampstead, but as the whole business is a matter for a loan, little_ or nothing could be done till a poll is taken, and m the meantime the council wisely referred the business to the new council for early attention. 1^ think I made most of the foregoing quite clear when speaking to the committee's report, but my remarks were np\ reported. Hence my reason for transgressing on your space with this letter, and at the same time to remove any misapprehension s that may exist. Two more connections can be made off the Albert Street and Beach Road mains, and about three off the Nelson Street and Tancred Street branch mains; and m case of fire the brigade will continue as hitherto, that is, they will attend all fires within reach of the hose at their disposal. These conditions will exist until somebetter arrangements are made, whicfr I trust will be soon

W. G. HILLIER.