The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1934. A WARNING NOTICE.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1934, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1934. A WARNING NOTICE.

The droughty period now being experienced has brought to Hokitika another warning notice of the inadequacy of hue town’s water supply. Just at the time and season of the year when water should he in plenty for domestic and gardening uses, a cheek is placed on the

public, and much discomfort must tie experienced in many homes by reason of the strictures. The situation is not to the credit of the town’s manageI meat. The people who;, asked anprovI ed the provision of loan money to supj pl v an essential requirement. The expectations that the wishes of the people | would be met were not realised. From ! time to time a. scheme of patch work | has been attempted—but still without ' affording adequate results. The loan money has now i - un a course ol up"a l( *s of thirty years, and must he about t'\o_ thirds reduced. It would be illuminating if a statement of the net municipal indebtedness were available. Tae information would he a guide for some form of action as to what might he done, not to tinker further with the existing scheme, but to establish a new one which will provide* all that is required. There is hardly a day passes now that attention has to he given to

fhe water supply service. The staff

engaged ordinarily to attend to streets and footpaths have tlicit time absorbed fully in attempting to leaks or breaks more or less urgent, to the obvious neglect of their ordinary duties, and as a consequence the ratepayers sutler in a dual manner. The situation appears to be acute enough to take the problem in hand with some determination to grapple more determinedly with it than has been evident yet. The needs of the town in regald t° an adequate water supply for lire protection, domestic and hygonic purposes should have a paramount plate in the minds of the administrators. Duty in respect to the obligation on the local body will not be discharged til! the situation is reviewed in the effort to remedy the position. Lll other words an overhauling or supplanting scheme i s necessary, aid the r.’.topayfei’s should be acquainted with the probable cost. That information, together with particulars of the existing ioan indebtedness, would enable the full liability likely to saddle the town to be guaged, and the people could then decide for themselves what niajor or minor steps might be taken to remedy an all important civic need. These are the times when money rates are exceptionally low, and if a lcasonvoble scheme were .brought forward money would be available to fitinnee.. it. The reduced interest rates at this juncture would lighten the burden of any monetary burden to be borne bv the

people. The situation is all the more urgent for prompt attention. The need for an improved water supply within reasonable costs is of paramount importance, and with the favou able position of the money market the issue

should be brought quickly to a head