CASHMERE WATER SUPPLY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16567, 3 June 1914, Page 6

CASHMERE WATER SUPPLY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Whether it be that members of the Heathcote County Council have axes to grind or ratepayers' money to burn, I know not, but I understand that a movement is under way to utilise some of tho power at the Cashmere pumping station for the purpose of running an electrical plant, as since tho installation of the new producer-gas plant, there is a good deal of-power "lying idle." Now, judging by the present filthy condition of tho lower reservoir on Hackthorno Road, I am not a little surprised at power lying idle. There must be other things lying idle, besides that commodity. The water in this reservoir is fairly thick with green slime, and if resident* were to have a peep at it they would bo very little inclined to batho in it, much less to drink it. And £5 a year for it, too! With " power lying 'idle"! The water will be only fit for frogs before long. The way tho ratepayers' money has been and'is being fooled away ini the Cashmere Biding has been the talk of the locality for quite » long time, and the Council is still at it. . How is it that such a necessary thing as the dealing of tho reservoir cannot bo accomplished » little more often? Be<=id«;, «r the pumps were kept going a ••little more frequently—thereby keepin c more fresh water in circulation—(even if it did run down hill again) there would not be so much talk of utilising "idle power" on "wild-cat" schemes in competition with that, of Lake Coleridge. At any rate, the residents or the hills are at present in infinitely greater need of a liberal and pure water supply, than they are of electric light axecrinders. . I trust you can sparo space for tins oublioitv on an urgent question. It is about tho only way to shame some e** le - lam ' e E.'H.C. RIDDER.' June 2, 1914.