The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, May 19, 1944. MUNICIPAL PROGRESS.

Grey River Argus, 19 May 1944, Page 4

The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, May 19, 1944. MUNICIPAL PROGRESS.

11l a valedictory reference to their past term of office, one of the most somnolent on recoid,Borough Councillors last evening took slightly a new orientation. A few, at least, of the things which the war period has been allowed to black out, such as the deficiency of the water supply, and one or two other municipal improvements,’ were at least mentioned. The eve of the elections evidently has changed somewhat, the viewpoint from that taken when, for instance, the painting of the Post Office was tabooed as premature or wasteful. It certainly is not before due time that account should be taken of the needs of a growing town, and that Councillors while interesting themselves in industrial matters or the responsibilities of other bodies, should concentrate more energetically upon specifically municipal administration. It is precisely on that ground, and not by any claims to activity in some other direction, that they are to be judged by the electors towards the end of the month. It cannot be sead that Greymouth is well served in the matter of its water supply, although it may be acknowledged that demand has latterly increased so considerably as to have outrun estimates which previously had seemed not to be inadequate for the time being. Nearby sources of supply have undoubtedly their limitations, and if the town continues to expand. which is quite, probable after the war, it then will prove to have been a very prudent step to have meantime made a thorough survey of the possible sources of a better supply. The Borough Engineer lias reported on two alternatives, a gravitation scheme (Roaring Meg Creek, Ata. rau) costing probably £70,000; and the replacement of the present pumping service with a new one costing at least £lO,OOO, with an additional annual outlay of about £l3OO. With any marked increase of population, the pumping proposition might not prove by any means the most economical in the long run, but the more immediate question is probably that of a thorough hydrographic survey so that when a decision has finally to be made, it can be made in the light of the fullest possible knowledge of the alternatives. There has previously been locally an illustration of shortsightedness being mistaken for economy, when one electrical generation scheme had to be substituted with another. In the present instance haste is not so much the desideratum as prudence, and if eventually it is found that the best solution is not the most immediate one, it may also be found that the toivn itself would be alone a benefactor from a more distant source. It will be for the new Council not only a duty to economise within the scope of the available revenue, but also spread the amenities of the municipality more, widely. The residential area is extending, and while in some directions such extension is facilitated with new services, in other directions residents have long remained with comparatively limited services. The Council has drawn up works programmes, but many items have remained entirely on paper. It would, indeed, be unfair to deny the utility of works carried out during the past term, but. the advantages derived only point to the reasonableness of the expectation that other localities should participate. The town has latterly been in the doldrums as regards municipal enterprise, and it is at least hopeful that the retiring Council shows a recognition of the fact.