GISBORNE WATER SUPPLY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21964, 7 March 1946, Page 6

GISBORNE WATER SUPPLY

Sir,—Your correspondent “Pioneer” certainly is bubbling over with the good old pioneer spirit. Just imagine anyone suggesting in these times that it would be a good idea for people to erect another "tank on their premises to overcome the water problems of the town. I am afraid that, being a householder of the younger generation, I look upon such an idea with ridicule and, although we can admire the spirit which enabled these old pioneers to struggle on against heat, flies and fever 65 years ago, yet surely we have no need to do such things to-day. Haven't we younger folk some fighting spirit for progress in our blood? Why don't we organise and demand that our water system shall be got on with and done so without delay? I for one am not prepared to wait until fever strikes at us before something is done. We all know what it will be now. Once again the rain has saved a crisis and our dear old pioneer councillors—bless them —will go to sleep again till next summer. Their headache is over for another year. I say let us fill our local body organisations with young blood and let us get on and do things about this town. There are a good many things that need improving, so why not let us take up the fight? This little town of ours could be made a grand example of progress in its greatest sense and, if the "old pioneers” sitting on fhe council benches are not going to get on and do things, then it is time that they admitted that they have “had it,” and it is up to us younger members of the community to take over and show what spirit we, too, have when put to the test. Certainly we have a fine little town here, but there is no reason why it cannot be finer still. I understand that Mangapapa residents have been paying water rates for 25 years and yet they were forced to buy water during this crisis. Just imagine having to pay for water—one of Nature’s gifts to humanity, and then we talk of progress. Where is our spirit, young men and women of Gisborne? Let us bend together and see that these things are altered. “COPPER-TOP.”