REEFTON WATER SUPPLY

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1947, Page 8

REEFTON WATER SUPPLY

(To the Editor).

Sir. —The Inangahua County Councillors have at last, solved the water supply question for Reef ton. For many years it has been a worry, after a dry spell of a couple of weeks, for residents, particularly hotel and boardinghouse keepers. Now, however, after a dry spell of ten weeks, Reefton can boast of one of the finest supplies in the Dominion. At the last Council meeting, Cr. Archer acknowledged the assistance of the Grey Power Board’s staff, with the electric pump from the well which is now supplying double the water required by the population. There is now abundant water for swimming baths and croquet lawns. On Sunday last I noticed that a hose was run day and night on the lawns of the war memorial. The water available is a big improvement in quality on the old supply from creeks contaminated by dead vegetation. Now that Reefton is thus provided for, why not treat the township of Black's Point with a well and pump, and a 7 or 10 h.p. motor? The cost of such and of power would be low, whereas the need is growing. The Government has purchased the Burke’s Creek colliery and railway, and 300 additional houses are to be erected by the State. The, old source of supply of brackish water is definitely inadequate, and in its blackish colour contrasts with the crystal clear water Reefton now enjoys. It is a bad advertisement for the community. Yet we have a Councillor and half a dozen old residents claiming that a few tons of cement at the intake properly worked into the cracks could gather up a little more water! I remember the former County Engineer, the late Mr W. Brett, comparing the supply from little creeks to a poor quartz claim as a sink for money. The late Engineer’s apparent hope in those days was that we could develop a pumping scheme. The past ten weeks of dry weather proves that this electrical method of supply has solved the water problem, and that the method will afford a good revenue when more homes are erected. I would suggest to the voters of the district that they do not support any Councillor who wants more money spent on the old inadequate source of water supply, but that they select married men with families who will naturally favour a decent water supply, and will also support Black’s Point likewise, obtaining, with the aid of am electric pump, a healthy supply of clear water. I am, etc., BLACK’S POINT RESIDENT Marell 20.