MASTERTON'S PLIGHT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 107, 29 January 1908, Page 7

MASTERTON'S PLIGHT.

' ; SCARCITY OF WATER, UNFLEASANT POSSIBILITIES. [»T CORRESPONDENT.] V , Mastertori, January 28. ■ There'is no doubt whatever but that the ,»osition of Masterton's water supnlv is verv serious indeed .- ' ' To-day, : when a firo ocourred, the firebell, which ;.is worked by a water engine, gave a few feeble strokes and then "struck/ The brigade duly .turned out, and on arrival found that ( the water with the fiirtftllof nozzle used S2J m *■ °ne). would not rcaoh to-the tap of &n 18ft. outbuilding under ordinary conditions. Pressure was then concentrated, and even thon the stream from tho hoso would net rifeo above

Captain Jenkins, of the Fire Brigade, remarked to a .Dominion representative that the situation was * oxt.remely critical. The rouse at the fire station showed that only 201b. of pressure was available, and this in tho midst oi a drought-fitrirken district, where the grass and everything else is in a most inflammable state and fires are lurking on the near outskirts. '

' There is reported to bo a wanton waste of water by residents, but it is significant that at lite o'clock in the afternoon, when few garden taps are used, the prcssuro does not reach 801b. The Mayor has lately drawn' attention to tho serious state of affairs, but ho has not disclosed how really . serious , matters are. Should tho wind veer round and drive tho Jlatahiwi fires tOwnwards, nothing Could avert 6 terrible Conflagration.