CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 18 August 1910, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE WATER QUESTION

(Tto the Editor.)

Sir,—lu the first place allow me to thank you for your generous allowance of space already afforded me. A. letter hi to-night's issue, over •the signature "Reader." a-.ks, How would I supply those living on ' the liills with water, when Langianus dam is repaired? Answer: When Ihe big dam is repaired the high levels would 'be supplied in a droughty summer just as they are at this moment. To repair the big dam does not involve the destruction of the weir; no, it reserves the water in the weir. Instead of the high levels depending o n *hc flimsy hope of the weir, they would have both the dam and the weir to draw from. It can be so arranged to draw from one and then fnrfu the other, and thus not allow •the weir to exhaust. Without the dam, the weir will exhaust after the ninth dav; that is, allowing the •draught of 960,000 gallons per day, *is indicated bv the meter, and' thi* ■was under restrictions, and when the* drainage connections were not in ■consideration. Fail to repair the 4am, then those living on the 'liills would not fill a kettle. If "Reader" declines to admit this 'now. he will in February, if this /proves a droughty season. I have answered' your question, "Reader"; it is now open for me to ■ask you one. How will you satis■facto'o' supply those living on the -hills this summer (if a droughty one) •without repairing the big dam, a s we advocate? Think well, "Reader"; •think hard, and you will confer a great blessing upon your townsfolk ■i£ you can 'answer satisfactorily. You ( •will put out of court, in one act, the (proposal to spend thousands on the CRoding River; you will put out, like the snuffing of "a caudle, the repair-, 'ing of the dam. Yes, Sir, the Piper dam was constructed 1 before Mr Piper came here; •hut it was his party that expended £6OO (now put the 1% days ■thing into commission, instead of at once repairing the 90 days' supply '■lam. To face this docs not suit "Reader's" occasion. "Reader,'' you state that Langlands' dam is 50 or more feet below (Piper's dam; you also refer to my •tactics as may 'l)3 playing the game, but hardly playing the man." It 'w-ould be simple to lash out; but I in in only out for truth, and sheer argument. I want your support. Re ••elevation, 50 or more feet; probably fthat is just a slip on your part, as ] 6 ife<H is correct. Re playing the game and the man, .may I ask you, are you prepared to •play either one or the other? You •;ire not playing the man to hide and lSre your gun. and then sneak away behind a nom de plume when attacking one who is in the open. But, enough; I shall answer no xuore in this strain. If "Reader" will /meet me I .will discuss every point /with' utmost courtesy; and if he can •hel-i me I will gratefully acknowledge it. I am, etc., THOMAS NEALE.