CITY WATER SUPPLY, ETC.

Evening Star, Issue 17350, 12 May 1920, Page 8

CITY WATER SUPPLY, ETC.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I see by yours of Bth Inst, that Cr Siricock is moving on Wednesday next: That a report of the various existing supplies be obtained independently from Air A. Slinger, late engineer to Dunedin drainage and sewerage .scheme. Sir, I think this is an excellent proposal. Mr Slinger has had a wide experience, and for one who has successfully carried out one of the laTgest undertakings in this city, I personally think a report from him would be just as valuable as that taken from those appointed by the council to do so. _ Is Mr Williams identical with, the engineer of that name, who sent one of the -workmen from the site of the present power station, several miles down the Waipori Raver for a sample of birch (taken from an old hut then in existence about nine years) to show several councillors -whom he assured that it would last 10 yeaTs in a fluming, the fluming being that over which we had so much trouble some yeaTS ago at the Waipori weir and between it and the intake of the pipe line ? It appears to me, Sir, that our councillors are just as easily satisfied now as then, and are prepared' to adopt any idea slung at them. Evidently they knew nothing of the life of such timber under water, but they conld have got that from any old miner who had experience of such. I also see that the council have bought out for £SOO a party at Post Office creek, just above the site of the intended dam. Do they know how many more they will have to buy out yet, and what is "likely to be the amount." We know they threw away several thousands pounds on the Bakery Flat rights nearly two years ago to buy water that must naturally flow into it. On whose recommendation was this purchased ? The City councillors do not make themselves acquainted with sufficient facts before adopting a good deal of matter coming before them, and a good many appointments to various positions are not the Tesult of ability, or prior experience. They will select a chief inspector of work with no more experience than that of supervising the loading of a few dray-loads of screenings, or appoint a water-race inspector with a knowledge of dry-pan sanitary contracting. Then why turn a man of Air Slinger's ability down"; ior he has proved himself a good man and a thorough gentleman, either in his office, on the works, or upon the street ? These are qualifications that do not apply to the heads of wme departments under the clock.—l am, etc., E.W.E. j Dunedin, May 9.

TO THE EDITOH. Sir,—l was invited by ine party woo were at Silverstream yesterday to accompany them to see the Silverstream waterrace which has called forth such a lot of talk lately, and, being keenly interested, I went and _ had an enjoyable day and a great education. I can strongly advise the Mayor and councillors, if they have not been to the intake of the race, to go and Bee and learn. It is easy to get there by motor to Whsre Flat, then a delightful walk. There is not the slightest doubt of the race having been neglected and allowed to become overgrown, and the tnan who pointed out this matter in your paper deserves great credit from evarvone in Dunedin, because that letter was"liko dynamite to the water department of the City 'Council, and they did get a move on. Now the race is properly cleaned out and the water pure and clean, bubbling and running along, it is a pleasure to eee it. The muck—trees, grass, slime, eta, eta.—that was taken out of the race is deposited on the bank right along the (race—ample evidence, if wanted, of gross ' carelessness on someone's part for allowing it to get into such a state. If this lot of rubbish were collected and put in 51 one heap it would be as big as the Bank • of 3Tew Zealand. But more work wants to ba done ytt to this race at very little expense, and it will then last at least lor the next 100 years, and it has already lasted nearly 50 years in spite of constant neglect. The whole trouble is that it was Euch a good job, and has required so little attention, that it goes on performing its duty, that, .like lots of other things, it is treated with contempt. Now, here is one for our city engireer. He states that the water from Flaffstaff Creek is polluted and not fit for this City. We examined this water yesterday. It "is clean, bright, and not polluted, except by pure air and sunshine, and a further part of this creek is discharging into the race. and Drmedin is drinking the water. If our city engineer will go to the race where it crosses the Taieri road, just inside the gate, he will see something that will surprise him—if he does not already know it. seeing he requires to be so spoon-fed, wi'l he get this matter at the gate put in order? It is a great pity that more of our ratepayers will not take more interest in this water question; it is all so simple and interesting. They would find that there is more water than we need or will need, for 100 years if looked after. 'All. thai is wanted is storage room for it, and that ie easily got if only our councillor* will do thair duty to this fair CityThere is not the slightest doubt that the reason Dunedin is so backward is because of the muddles of the Council, and this muddle is caused because they will not go to aee for themselves, but depend on ad- , vice from men in whom the City ratepayers have no faith. Is there any business man ner# who would run his business on similar lines.-r-I am, etc., •Say IXX Cet Bust.