Northern Advocate Daily With which is incorporated the Northern Mail Daily. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1917. WASTE WATER.

Northern Advocate, 29 December 1917, Page 2

Northern Advocate Daily With which is incorporated the Northern Mail Daily.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1917. WASTE WATER.

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the post as a newspaper

In several respects the people of Whangarei are singularly well placed from a municipal viewpoint, and amongst the modern living conditions provided in the residents' behest the water supply must be accorded an eminent place. There is such an abundance that probably it could be drawn upon to double or treble the present volume of use without, making any appreciable difference to the reservoir sources. The. surplus is so large that the authorities are always in a state of trepidation regarding the risk to the mains through the enormous pressure, which at times has had to be eased by running off a big flow into the creek near the butter factory, while leaky taps—at one time the subject of penalty—are rather welcomed than otherwise by the Borough Council. Yet in the midst of all this satiety the garden productivity of the borough lies mostly languishing or altogether neglected. The official .argument is that the people may use water for thengardens if they like to pay an extra j special fee for the privilege; in other j words, the municipal powers would j rather let the superfluity flow away j to the sea than give it to the people j and thereby encourage them to develop essential food lines to overcome the scarcity and consequent high prices contingent on the war period. Because the Whau Valley system by itself was a remunerative venture the Borough Council appears to be terribly upset because the enlarged scheme, with the enormously greater outlay involved, is not immediately paying its way and providing a profit to boot. One can understand the profit-earning policy of municipal picture theatres and similar enterprises, ' v xbut it is open to question whether a public, utility such as water should bo charged up in order to swell the gen- ' eral funds. If it be the right thing for such supplies to pay their j way only, then 'th> Borough CounH owes the Whangarei-wibfic -several thousand pounds from the

weigh that sum against any losses | on the augmented scheme. Liquida- ; tion of that hypothetical debt : however, gone beyond to ' make up for p* l e'?<!-rit deficiency and : future ?hVirtages Which may. accrue j ftfrt!. SeVerai years to come tiie general $iiVteV-'rating could be enhanced slightly, at the same time eliminating the special fees and throwing water- , usage open to everybody. Once the ! burgesses have gripped the idea of j the water' value they v/Unid - be ! amenable to. the <« tH rating, and every in'diWd'ual would be on an | proportionate footing and j appreciate the opportunity of self- , help.