The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, August 2, 1851.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 30, 2 August 1851, Page 5

The Lyttelton Times.

SATURDAY, August 2, 1851.

At the meeting held on "Wednesday to take precautions against fire, some exceedingly valuable suggestions were thrown out L'fy Mr. Yovke, with regard to the supply of Jrfresh water to this town. That gentleman expressed his opinion, that it was a waste of money to build a fire engine, while the means of obtaining water for it, when built, are so limited. Although, as relates to danT ger from fire, water could be pumped out of the sea if the fire were not too far from the beach, yet it is quite true that in the .upper part of the town the want of water would be seriously felt during that portion of the year when, from the greater dryness of the atmosphere, the danger of fire is itself much increased. MrfYorke suggested that tanks, or reservoirs, might be built at a comparatively small expense, to collect a great quantity of the water which at this .season of the year runs copiously away into the harbour, and that pipes might be so laid down as to render a good supply from those savings accessible in every part of the town. These suggestions are, in our opinion, most worthy of the immediate and serious attention of our fellow-townsmen. Not only with a view to the extinction of fire, but still more in order to secure an adequate supply of fresh water throughout the year, for the consumption of the inhabitants, and of shipping., one of the works most needed, and at the same time one for which there exist the greatest facilities, is the adoption of some system, by which the excess of water falling , in winter, may be hoarded up for the thirsty days of summer. For several months, at this time of year, the streams from the three main gullies above the town, are pouring down into the sea more water than would be enough to supply our wants at the season when those streams become completely dry. This is, on our part, a thoughtless and blameable improvidence.

It is quite true, that for want of local institutions authorized by law, the necessary works cannot be done in one of the most effective ways ; which would be, to rate the inhabitants for the necessary expense of a work acknowledged to be of public benefit, and, if, advisable, to require .a small remuneration, for the rapid and convenient supply which might be afforded on the wharf, from such shipping as should require it. But a private Company might possibly be formed for the purpose, and we have little doubt but that the speculation would prove, in the end, a profitable one. We earnestly hope that some of the gentlemen who threw out the suggestions, and some of those who listened to them, will carefully inquire into the requisite details, such as the situation of the springs, whether temporary or permanent, from which the water rises ; the probable cost of the conduits and reservoirs ; and the rate at which the town and shipping might be assured of a constant supply of fresh water at all . seasons. It would be a mere matter of derail to determine what public fountains could be afforded, and whether the remuneration should be by a general subscription or by individual rate. The projectors might then apply themselves to inquire whether they could, under the existing laws, form themselves into a Joint-Stock Company, or whether, if a private ordinance were required, the Government would sanction its introduction into the Council.

In the meanwhile, the evil which we desire to see guarded against, stares us in the face for next summer. The streams will then be quite dry. The existing wells are estimated to- supply, in the summer, no more than 580 gallons per day, a quantity totally inadequate to the wants even of the

present population of Lyttelton. But, before the beginning of next year, that population is very likely to be doubled. The Association set a good example last summer, in digging wells. Private individuals will have had a whole year before them, to follow the example. It should not be forgotten that, in case of the arrival of any large body of immigrants, they alone might require all the water to be got from the Association's wells; and the agent might then very reasonably refuse a drop from them to those who should have had the opportunity, but not the energy, to dig one for themselves.