THE WATER WE DRINK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 64, 15 March 1916, Page 7

THE WATER WE DRINK.

DOES IT WASH NIHOTUPU BATHERST The people of Auckland may wink at nixed bathing in public, or discreetly <oe 'with the blind eye when the eunjiithcr sprawls in a costume tlnit would lot be considered good form at the ■hurch garden party, but when those in pursuit of the cooling waters and Vhv lealth-giving sun choose the drinking water supply of the city for their pleasures there must be a coneensue of opinion that liberty has become 'impuJent license. Whether or not there is any consderMc number of persons who want to wueli in our teacups and drinking glijases, so to Rpeak, yet remains to be proved, but a letter of protest, written in satirical vein by "Dous" seems to suggest fcliitt there is mere than an occasional offender. "Now that the warm weather ie nearly over it would probably give little inconvenience to bathers in >Tihotupu <lain and Western Springs if they studied the fastidious water consumers and ceased bathing in the city water supply," he writes, and incidentally pugzests a reward of £o for information leading to the conviction of bathcro. Inquiries made by a "Star" reporter this morning elicited the information that every possible precaution is taken by the City Council to protect its water from pollution, and the assurance that it -was inconceivable that the practice of swimming in the vratcr supply was going on to any considerable extent. The watershed is the Council's private property, and to even get within the vicinity of the reservoirs involves the committing of a trespaee. Under the Municipal Corporations Act a fine of £20 in prescribed for the offence of bathing in water pupplies, and numerous notices to this elfec-t are posted about the banks of the rceervoira and the streams. If these are deemed to be insufficient, it was stated, more will be provided. It is admitted, however, that when the Council's rangers may not be in the vicinity a perspiring schoolboy or camper may take a plunge into the' water, but 'he always takes Che risk that he may find a burly ranger sitting on his clothe* waiting to gather the information that will lead to the infliction of exemplary punishment.