RIPARIAN RIGHTS.

Evening Star, Issue 7183, 11 April 1887, Page 3

RIPARIAN RIGHTS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l quite agree with the remarks of “ Old Miller” in your issue of the 6th inst., but I would go further and say that if the City Council take the riparian rights under the Bill, most of the would-be riparian rights owners would get very little, and a great many of them nothing. A great mistake was made in not taking the water long ago, as the Silverstream scheme, which has cost so much, will never be any good to Dunedin, because the suburbs will soon require all (and more) the water that can be got from that source. Besides, the cost of its maintenance will always bo very large, whereas if the Leith were connected with the Ross’s Creek reservoir there would be a plentiful supply, and the surplus could be let out for motive power at little or no cost, instead of manufacturing gas for the same purpose at a great expense. lam quite sure that if the Leith were taken the letting of this supply would pay interest on the whole cost of the riparian rights, and then we would not need to run all the filth into the reservoir, as is done at present with our scanty supply. I remember when the Company had the waterworks that the citizens were always at them to construct filter-beds, the users of the water complaining of almost being poisoned. In those days all the storm water was allowed to run past; but now all is fish that comes in the net. Nothing is allowed to run past. I can assure you, after a spell of dry weather, the first half day’s rain that runs into the reservoir is more like pea soup than water. It is thick with filth of every description. Our City fathers could not employ their time better than by going and Having a look at it. I would not advise the citizens to see it, as they would rather go short of water after doing so than use it. It is a standing disgrace to any town to have such a supply while there is. plenty of good water running to waste, —I am, etc., : Economy. Dunedin, April 8. . . .