WATER SUPPLY.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8779, 27 April 1894, Page 6

WATER SUPPLY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THB PRESS. Sir, —The remarks in yourptper of April 24th made by " Truth " and Mr J. Dobaon at Oxford are so similar that they can be replied to as one aud the same person. Mr Baxter's, (J.E., remark on the formation of the Waimakariri's terraces was that "he saw no difference between the gravel in .them and any other," and we know what his opinion wa3 when he put the cost of Rakaia Gorge headworks a.% £274,000. And that, as Mr Williams, C.E., puts it, a daugerous experiment is being tried at the expense of the Ashley ratepayers is proved by Mr Webster's own report in these words —•• Any batter less than the natural slope of the terraces will not stand, buc the coat of excavation would be prohibitive." These expert opiuious would at least cause a pause in the progress of this scheme with reasonable men; and I think if Messrs Dobson and Williams had seen a huge spit of shingle between the intake and the stream, they would have been very doubtful of it as an intake. The people of the district want a much cheaper and less risky supply than that proposed, even if the Rock Ford scheme is cut down to Messrs Sharp and Webster's proposals of £12,000 or £16,000, aud they cau get it by the support of the men who have the rate to pay.— iToura. &?., Uxity.