NO DRAINAGE JUST YET.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 140, 16 June 1913, Page 8

NO DRAINAGE JUST YET.

[to the editor.]

Sir,—As I am recovering from a cold and so unable to attend tonight's meeting, I am asking the favor of a little space to express my views. Water: The rejected Batty's Creek pumping scheme is clearly a makeshift, and I fear if carried out would prove a source of regret until changed to a gravitation scheme. The principal recommendation apparently is the immediate expenditure locally of a considerable sum of money. This, I admit^ is a powerful inducement. The objection to this scheme have already been fully de- ! tailed in your columns. I will not., therefore, repeat them. One point, however, has not been noticed—that is. that this scheme will involve a large portion of continued expenditure outside the borough, whereas Mr Dobson's scheme, while givingiihe best artesian water, would necessitate fche expenditure for erecting plant and for workers within the borough, and so give the ratepayers who pay the cost the advantage of a direct return for their speculative expenditure. However, in view of the fact that closer settlement in the Wairau and Waihopai Valleys will- be accomplished within two years, and that our town will directly be affected by it. and a large number of our vacant sections near the centre of the town built on, a delay for a couple of years appears to be the right thing; then the ratepayers might see their way to can-y out the approved Waihopai scheme, the logical conclusion of the voting being delay until conditions are suitable to cany out that scheme. In the meantime Councillor Carr and others would have full opportunity ot proving for certain whether or not ths Taylor contains sufficient wa«t«r to ensure a never-failing supply. To .return to the Waihopai scheme, it seems to me almost impossible for j water to be brought from the Wafhopai to Blenheim (it is eleven miles to the bridge) without selling water to farmhouses and other residences; then there is Renwicktown, which is very badly off for water, and the western suburbs of Blenheim. Who would be bold enough to say that the , localities mentioned would not rather , oav water rates than continue expen- '• :sive windmills P The paddocks bei tween Renwick and Waihopai would ; obviously be supplied by an open j water-race lined with concrete in ' .semi-circular form from the head- : works. The never-failing ample , supply of good water, certified to as ' such, would furnish power for run- . ing machinery, and would, I am | -satisfied, prove a great blessing to our toAvn, and also to the localities

i west of Blenheim. I'icton sells} enough water to pay interest on the j cost of the water works. ' j

Drainage: Iteference to Mr Dobson's reports will show that the septic tank system is the least expensive, the only question being that ••? efficiency. Well, there are many firms who would undertake to coastruiia the tanks and bind themselves Ui maintain them efficiently for s». period long enough to prove them a permanent success. Any ratepayer who would like to see a septic t-.'.ik approved by the Health Department, in full work, cmikl dt> so by inspecting Mr Philpotts's septic tank and the methodl of managing it, at "Ascham," Pieton. This would convince the most critical person. Mr Philpotts, be it noted, lives in Pieton, which has a, drainage system, j and yet he found it more economical j

to provide a septic tank for his residence than to connect with the town

system

JNO. WHITE