WAIMAKARIRI ASHLEY WATER SUPPLY.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8718, 14 February 1894, Page 3

WAIMAKARIRI ASHLEY WATER SUPPLY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THX PRESS. Sir,—l notioe in yours of Saturday over .the signature "Nux" a letter on the above subject- I have no doubt of Mr M. DLton'e ability to defend himself, and therefore I will not presume to undertake that, task, as everyone who is acquainted with Mr Dixon knows he is not a born idiot, and therefore he would not be likely to purchase a large block of shingle if ho did not think he could, improve it by some means, and I think there is no doubt that he has demonstrated that he can do ho, and the question may fairly be asked has he injured any one else in doing so. If he Has not, why should " Nux "or anyone else want to interfere with Mr Dixon. I pa«s, by the frothy part of the letter and cornel to.the pertinent part of the latter, which asks if everyone ie to bo» allowed to help themselves to the water of the YYaimak, and predicting trouble if they are allowed to do so. Now your correspondent cannot know mach about the matter, or he would know that very few people can avail themselves of the water on account of the high banks above Mr Dixon's, but I recollect'some time back the North road being torn up to allow a line of pipes tapping the river at the seventh mile peg, to supply a large factory, I believe. Will this also have to be cut off to please "Nux " ? Again your correspondent points out that water will never maka shingle grow grass or grain aoy more than it would on a metalled road. That, Sir, is exactly the opinion of the bulk of the proprietors of the light land in'the water-race areai and why if they cin'prevent it they" will;nofc go beyond a drinking race if they can possibly prevent. it.: There isi no use shirking the question; 5 Water Board is determined, if possible) to commit the ratepayers to expending an immense sum of money, and the large majority of the ratepayers will resist it m iar as possible. At auy rate, the Board cannot interfere with Mr Dixon before they get extended powers, and that cannot possibly" be got before the next session of Parliament, so that "Nux" and hia friends will not be able to crush Mr Dixon, at any ratebefoie the end of the year, if at all. Before that time anew election will have taken place,—Yours, &c. Waiting Still.