WHAT WOMEN ARE DOING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1936. Artesian Water Supplies

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 45, 24 February 1936, Page 6

WHAT WOMEN ARE DOING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1936. Artesian Water Supplies

In this morning '» issue we publish a survey oi the watersupnly systems of Wellington, Christchurch and Invercargill. In all three cities, artesian supplies piay an important part; indeed, in the last two they provide tne whole supply.

The loan proposals now before the ratepayers of Palmerston North are of a composite nature, embodying as they do extensions of the artesian supply and, at the same time, proposals i'or improving the Tintea gravity supply. Some of our citizens are strong protagonists of artesians to the exclusion of all other sources of supply. Others take the view that money spent upon artesians is almost money wasted.

The council us a body lias subscribed to a compromise policy and in so describing it we do not necessarily condemn fur a compromise is frequently a sound policy. In the present instance the artesian supply appears as a stop-gap as well as an emergency supply, the long view being that further development of Tiritea will provide the main supply. Ratepayers are asked to sanction two expenditures, one of £8,260 for the purpose of putting down a third artesian well to supplement the two already in use, and the other of £14,300 as part of the potential Tiritea development.

A vital question at issue, is as to whether artesian bores will provide for the city’s future supplies of water. Two factors govern this—the quantity of water. that the artesian beds can supply permanently and the quality of the water obtainable. From information available it is obvious that artesian waters vary considerably in quality and that analysis can reveal whether or not a "water is suitable for town supply. As to continuity of supply, records reveal that in a great many cases artesian supplies diminish very considerably. ralmerston North’s oivn experience ivith the two wells near the rubiic Hospital, is a case in point. The flow from these has declined to an alarming extent.

Altogether, some five sources of supply have been suggested, including the two present ones. The Poliangina river would provide a splendid supply but the cost, estimated at over £175,000, rules this out. The Kahuterawa stream towards Linton, is also a fine supply but again, costliness rules this out for the present. The third suggestion is that water be obtained from the Manawatu river, per filtration through gravel, to wells situated some distance from the actual stream. It is very doubtful if a suitable supply could be so obtained. It the filtration was perfect, the water would come but slowly; it tne water came in sufficient volume, then it would m all probability bear impurities.

For the present and for perhaps another fifteen years, this city can look to Tiritea and artesians for its supply. lhe degree of reliance that should be placed upon each will, of course, continue to provide material for controversy and m considering the merits of the two supplies, many factors must be given consideration. Relative cost is but one. Others are the healthful properties of the waters, their relative effects upon water-mains and hot-water systems as regards cono and scaling.

* ' r Last summer was Hot and dry and citizens were thoroughly awakened to the water question. This summer is cool and vet and as a result there is a risk that insufficient attention will be given to the poll before ratepayers on Wednesday, it is needful to realise that next summer may be dry again and tha waterworks take time to complete.

An 18-stone missionary who has been working among the pygmies of Central Africa said that everywhere he went groups of natives followed him. Perhaps even Central African natives are not so inured to the sun that they 42 got appreciate a bit.af

A golfing writer complains of players who sing during the round. Perhaps they are singing ‘ ‘Comp, little birdie.’

*<Shaking in one’s shoes is not necessarily a sign of nervousness or fear,” states a doctor. It may be merely a aeiyr dance,