COBDEN WATER SUPPLY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 March 1930, Page 12

COBDEN WATER SUPPLY.

(To the Editor.) Sir —Allow me again to encroach on your’valuable space as my previous letter brought forth a burst of disapproval from “Ward Street and “Anti Aqua Pura,” as was quite expected. “Ward Street’’ is evidently very chagrined over the present valuations, and I fail to see where he has anv argument at all: whether our sec- & valued at £5O or £lOO the. same total amount of rates has to be collected by the Town Board. However, this certainly does not alter the question that a more equitable valuation of Cobden is desired. Certainly a smaller rate on a higher valuation would sound better, but when it comes to £ s.d. there is absolutely no difference. With regard to the outstanding rates if “Ward Street” would investigate the figures of other Town Board districts in New Zealand he would observe that Cobden compares more than favourably with any of them. “Ward Street” appears to be quite convinced that there is very little water obtainable for fire-fighting purposes from the creek near the churches, as he made no comment in his letter. “Anti-Aqua Pura” is evidently very antagonistic towards the Cobden Town Board (perhaps he was a candidate defeated on election day) and, judging from his caustic remarks of this body, appears very much so. He advises to vote against water while Cobden is under the Town Board and wishes to go back to the County, but whether we are under the County or the Cobden Town Board the ratepapers wil still have to pay the cost of the water scheme: the governing body just collecting the rates. As “Anti-Aqua Pura” doubts the business acumen of the Town Board in will no doubt be a further candidate at the next election to give his valuable services to the township. He is also very reluctant to pay 30/- per year for sanitary service, and I cannot understand what his ambition must be. Surely every resident in Cobden will agree that is one of the finest things accomplished by the Town Board after taking into consideration the small sections we have in Cobden. 30/per year “Mr Anti-Aqua Pura” is a very small premium to pay as an essential safeguard to good health, and if you have to pay £2 it is only a reflection of .your business methods. “Anti-Aqua Pura” also doubts the ability of the Greymouth Engineer to draw up the estimate; as he is a man of wide experience no sane person would criticise his figures at this juncture. In conclusion, this correspondence has been somewhat lengthy, and I do not think it is worth while using your valuable space trying to convince “Ward Street” and “Anti-Aqua Pura” that they cannot enjoy the convenience of a water supply without paying for same; in fact, they want something for nothing. I will now let this matter rest until polling day, when I am sure that ratepayers will sanction the raising of the loan for this essential work. I am, etc.,

WATER BUG,