EXIT THE HOSERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 49, 27 February 1908, Page 2

EXIT THE HOSERS.

COUNCIL APPLIES CLOSURE. WAINUI RESEKVOIR STILL SINKING.

FORTY INCHES BELOW CREST A discussion regarding the ihottag» of water took place at the City Council meeting last night. Tha Ma/or (the Hon. T. Hislop) informed the council that the water in the Wainui reservoir had receded 40 inches, and ho added that no enforcement nad been made, as yet, to cut off "extraordinary" ,eu£plies when the level fell to 36 inches. Tho citizens, as a whole, .were making a very moderate use of the vrater' supply, and the municipal authorities t hoped to induce users to make further modifications, especially in regard to tho use of water for goods' lifts,, which might b© used only enco or twice* a day while the scarcity of water continued. Other lifts, too, could be used less frequently, and a considerable -caving might be made in this -way. - As an instance of carefulness, the Mayor mentioned that Mr. Firth, principal- of Wellington College, had desi6teu ftoiu using water for the big bath at the college since the 4th February, which was a date previous to the passing of the council's resolution. There might ba a few people who were uot responding to tho call for moderation, but the municipal executive hoped that even these would respond when they knew that upon their moderate use of tho water depended the decision as to curtailing the supply. , « j In answer to a question by Councillor Shirtcliffe, the Mayor replied that the reservoir' reserve would be emptied in three weeks' (or four at most) by the present rate of consumption. Thero would, however, be the additions from the stream to reckon in. 1 Councillor 'Murdoch thought a good deal could be done to save water if a house to house inspection, for leaky taps were made. Jt was explained that the inspectors were already visiting houses .with' this end in view. A question as to the state of the Karori reservoir elicited the information that that supply *vas proving equal to the demands made upon it." It was reserved for the higher levels. A DEPLORABLE WASTE. . Councillor Fisher said there waß> deplorable wasto of water oh some gardens. He knew of one man ' Who watered his garden by means of a hose for three-quarters of an hour every night. He had a meter installed, and was legally within his rights, but as a citizen he was setting, an example at extreme selfishness. The council should pass a special resolution to meet such cases as this. Tho Mayor said there were reasons why the resolution already passed • should not be put into hard ana fast operation; to-do so would mean hnrdship and loss to some people who wero blameless; but he would like to sco such men as tho one referred to by Councillor Fisher prohibited. His name should, be published if he persisted in. his selfish conductCouncillor Biso agreed. He personally knew of another man who' 1 had a meter installed, and his neighbours, not knowing the facts of the case, finding that he was watering his garden every night, thought he was receiving undue favour. There was talk amongst them that they hod no real call to economise water when, this was permitted. . • Tho press should take the matter rip and speak strongly ' about such £racticesr • RESOLUTION PASSED. ' At this stagft a consultation, took place between the Mayor and the .municipal officers regarding the best means of meeting such cases, and it was ,eventually ascertained that a resolution not affecting the ono passed two weeks ago, and yet meeting the latest ' difficulty, could bo legally passed. It was then i-esolved : — "That tho council hereby prohibits the use- of water for watering gardens by means of a hose; this resolution not to affect the resolutions passed by the council oa 13th. February, 1908, in respect of extraordinary supplies." Discussion also took place as to. .the advisableness* of limiting the use, of water by council employees on tha Botanical Gardens and other reserves. The Mayor Bai_ that there were valuable i plants in the gardens that required, to be watered, and they were public property, and were not watered through selfish motives. Care was being exercised in the use of the water iat tho city reserves, and the reports of wasteful use were exaggerations. ',