THE SHORTAGE OF WATER. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 44, 21 February 1908, Page 3

THE SHORTAGE OF WATER. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — As a ratepayer and owner of itity property ,1 should like to say a fe\ r words about tli?. present outcry and the misery of shortage of water. Now, in the first plai.o why there should ever bo a, shortage of water in a city hko Wellington no ono with any common sense can see. I have lived here for several years — worse luck — and at the beginning of every summer, just as the water is really wanted, there is the usual order sent forth — "Stop watering jour gardens and lawns and economise in every way," and if you do use the precious fluid even to make your surroundings sanitary you will be finsd heavily for so doirg. Now, sir, does not this seem a form of tyranny and selfishness on the part of those in power that because they will not supply an' adequate water service every man and woman with valuable gardens and lawns and summer and winter vegetables, must stand by quietly and see them all perish for want of — what is the perfect right of every citizen — an adequate supply of water. Does the Mayor and his satellites realise what it mean? to people who love their homes and surroundings to see such destruction and loss? Surely the ratepayer is taxed heavily enough and has a perfect right to use what he pays for. Last but not least, the health of the community, too, must sulier, for where there is no water to cleanse dirty back yards and premises, Master Microbe reigns supreme to wreck his vengeance in the shape of typhoid and other diseases on the helpless and suffering public. Hoping to sec an effort made to remedy so great an e\il. — I am, etc. , MORE WATER. Wellington, 20th Feb., 1908.

Owing to the Palmerston Borough Council lef using to receive .i letter of protest from * Mr. W. W. Smith, F.R.H.S., recently appointed curator of the borough reserves, Mr. Smith has handed in his resignation.