A PRIME NECESSITY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 169, 18 July 1908, Page 4

A PRIME NECESSITY.

A matter of the highest importance came before the Borough .Council last night in the nature of ~'a report from the Mayor." , A conference with the health officer, Dr Redman, has resulted in the Mayor emphasising the necessity for. watesr supply and drainage. This is a matter wiiich .transcends in importance any scheme of borrowing for another Town Hall. One Councillor expressed his opinion that the time is un6t ripe" for a water supply^ This expression has its uses, but like1 many another good catch phrase, it,may sometimes imply merely a disinclination to keep pace with real requirements. When is the time ever "ripe" ior a forward movement? Only when public opinion forces reluctant Councillors to action. Dr Redman states that there is a -very grave danger of surface drainage contaminating our artesian supply. .This means that drainage is a necessity if we* desire to keep our wells free from pollution, , and effective drainage must go hand .in hand with a high pressure water service. What will be .the cost, or where the water can be obtained, are,* in the first instance, questions for' the Council, and it is satisfactory to note that a movement along the desired lines is being commenced, i There is no "getting away from the fact that Nwith a growing town where population is rapidly becoming more congested, drainage is a prime necessity, and every additional dwelling erected only emphasises this fact. Everywhere in and around Blenheim new' houses involving sanitary requirements of some sort or the other are going up. Within ten minutes walk of the Square may- be seen wha,t were open paddocks a few n*onths ago nowcoyered with houses, either completed; or! in progress. Yet no attempt has-hitherto been made by the Council to furnish any but the crudest possible sanitary' method, a method which is wholely ineffective in relieving the household of liquid refuse, the accumulation, of which is s a standing menace to nealtK. This is the danger that requires to be faced, a, danger that, is daily becoming more imminent, and Dr Redman has not spoken, one. moment, too soon. In view of the need!for definite action in this matter th£ Town Hall' proposals •pale into insignificance, and may very well be, relegated to a pigeon .hole till the time for their serious consideration is really "ripe." This will not be until,1 as we Kav.e always con-' tended, proper,measures are taken for conserving the' health of the burgesses.