THE FUTURE SOURCE OF WATER SUPPLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 148, 25 June 1898, Page 2

THE FUTURE SOURCE OF WATER SUPPLY.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l was pleased to read imV evemng-s 'Star' the proposals M Z water supply which were laid MM the Water Committee -of our fr Council yesterday afternoon. ram * opinion that after a careful s^w (as suggested by our City En_>Jn|T has been made it will be proved that from this source a sufficient7quantfi of water can be obtained toi «i n nfc our city for many years to "<S The water is likely to be compaK'; tively pure, coming as it does4(4 the range of hills, and is not .ikell' even in the dim future, to ever lir surrounded by contaminating influ ' ences, such as boiling down estah"; lishinents, abattoirs, etc. And%p other great advantage is that it w_F be a supply by gravitation. The WmT cost of pumping plant and its -cost of repairs and consumption of coal winbe saved, and can go towards paying interest on the money expended in the introduction of the supply, lam of opinion that the whole scheme can be carried out for the sum estimated by our City Engineer, viz.,' £125,000 I do hope onr City Councillors wilj take steps to prove by expert evidence that the estimated quantity of water required can be obtained from this source, and then without delay set things going so as to get the power to raise a loan (for every sensible ratepayer knows that io undertake a scheme like the one suggested a loan must be obtained), and as the preliminaries will take some time,'it must be set about at once,S so that Aye may not have a repetition of the annoyance and inconvenience and uneasiness which yve have experienced* this dry season. lam sure it has been a serious loss to many of onr merchants to have their hydraulic lifts cut off. It also means a loss of revenue' to our city in the; wayof water meter rates,' and if in the past our income has been barely meeting our expenditure, it', means swelling our overdraft/ wtiichi. we all wish to see decreasing -instead, of increasing. This matter-of an^ adequate water rupply must be faced, | and, in my humble opinion, we ire getting all we can get from the Western Springs, and we must not forget that every year this source stands a great chance of becoming more-and more impregnated' with .impurities from surrounding habitations, etc. Then let our Councillors rise .-to the, occasion and go in for a.good water .Supply, and also a good drainage scheme, and they will have the approbation of eveiy ratepayer who has the welfare of the city at heart, including yours, etc.,

ciuaing" yours, etc., ROBERT TUDEHOPE. Franklin Road, June 23, 1898.