WATER SHORTAGE.

Grey River Argus, 13 January 1928, Page 3

WATER SHORTAGE.

WITH FULL RESERVOIR. Cr O’Brien Proposes. New Main. At last night’s meeting of Hie Borough Council, Cr J. O’Brien said that he had an urgent matter to bring forward. It was that of providing a more adequate supply of water for those parts of the town which were lacking both in a sufficient quantity and in an adequate pressure, particularly at that time, when the weather was a*.'arm and dry. His proposal was the provision of a new main from the reservoir, to give a better pressure and supply, especially to those parts of the borough, whether on the higher levels or the more southerly sections, which had during the past few weeks experienced a decided shortage. There had oe?n no water in the Hospital, for instance and very little for other places in that neighbourhood. At his own place he had noted that there was no 1 pressure. People whose houses were twenty or thirty feet above the ordinary level had found it impossible to oh--tain water at times. The present speD of dry weather had brought home to them the seriousness of the situation, and the fact that the Council was responsible for tiie maintenance of a pro-

per supply. It was now five years since he had first brought up the need for another main. That was the only means of meeting the difficulty, and of ensuring that everybody would obtain a sufficiency. They had a full reservoir, and yet it was impossible for some of the consumers to secure water. The Grey Swimming Baths had now to . e provided for, and the position was becoming more desperate. For the past five years the trouble had been that the Council lacked finance for a new main, hut now it had gone beyond a question of finance, and had become a stern necessity. They simply had to have it. They could not carry on further with things as they were. He therefore would move that the Engineer prepare plans and specifications for a new main, so as to give an adequate supply. He was quite aware of the Council’s financial stringency, but they did not need to go ahead with the work before the end of the financial year on March 31st. But they wanted the plans and specification to be ready before then, and to see if the pipes could be secured in the meantime. It was impossible to go on for another year without getting the work done. The present dry weather had shown them their serious position. The main had to be laid this year. Tin Engineer must get into touch with the suppliers of the necessary material, which it might be necessary to indent, so that it should, in that event, be order d beforehand, the bill not having to be met until after March 31st. If the plans were ready and the material., they would then go ahead.

Cr D. M. Robertson said he had much pleasure in seconding the motion. He had observed one startling instance of a water shortage which might have led to lamentable results at a certain institution. lie congratulated the mover on his stand in the matter. Cr J. B. Kent said this matter had come up repeatedly during the past two or three years, and he hoped that now (here would be something done The Mayor, Mr J. W. Greenslade. said he commended the motion. They were not carrying out their contract properly for those people who were short of ’water. The pipes in places were not full. Th? pipes, he was informed, would cost £2OOO. They could not do the work out of revenue, and would have to call on the people to meet the expense by increasing the rates. There would be an additional outlay on labour. The Engineer would get out the plans as soon as possible. Cr R. J. Williams said, that the new main had really been delayed owing to want of finance. The desire had been to avoid an increase in the rates. He considered no blame was attachable to the Councils in the past for not doing the work. The motion was carried.