ADEQUATE WATER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 24 April 1937, Page 8

ADEQUATE WATER

NECESSARY FOR FIRE FIGHTING •WELFARE OF CITY AS A WHOLE’ DISCUSSION AT FIRE BOARD MEETING The subject of the proposed new water scheme for the city was introduced by Mr D. S. N. McCartney at yesterday's meeting of the Nelson Fire Board, when the hope was expressed that the ratepayers would adopt the City Council’s proposals.

Mr McCartney pointed out that the water supply in Nelson had been a subject of discussion on a number of occasions and he was pleased to know that a loan poll for the Roding scheme would be taken in the near future. He said it would be a’ pity if the citizens failed to support the City Councji in its efforts to improve the supply. The early settlers had provided a scheme which had served the city up to the present time, and he consideied it the duty of the city now to provide an adequate supply for present and future needs. No doubt there would be some opposition as was usually the case in such proposals, due to the necessary addition to the rates, but the ratepayers should think of the welfare of the city as a whole. WATER REQUIRED TO COMPLETE BOARD’S SERVICE The Fire Board had provided equipment. buildings, and staff to deal with fires and unless the ratepayers piovided the water for use bv the bngaue the board’s work would be rendered almost useless, Mr McCartney continued. He recalled the position which arose in 1933 when there was a shortage of water. The City Council usd obtained the best possible advice on the scheme and he considered it would be a sad thing for Nelson if the proposals were not adopted. The city was going to be let down some day in the case of a big fire, through lack of water.

Mr L. A. Hutton supported the previous speaker’s remarks.. In forming the Fire Board it was the desire of the people to have as fine an organisation as possible. That had been provided, but a fire system without an adequate water service was like having guns without ammunition. Business houses and private residences were insured but there were losses in fires which could not be replaced. COUNCIL’S INVESTIGATIONS The chairman (Mr W. J. Mofi'att) ' said the Council had had the water problem under consideration during and since his term as Mayor. Experts were first engaged during his term when the various schemes were investigated, and that work which had been in progress since then had culminated in the present proposal. He personally was supporting the scheme as he realised the benefit which would result to the city and country people.

Mr J. Fitz-Gerald said the Council had done everything. possible to place the details of various schemes before the ratepayers. The Mayor at a recent public meeting had fully outlined the advantages of the Roding scheme. The Council had given much time to the subject and the whole position had been placed before the ratepayers and it was for them to decide whether they wanted the scheme or not. With all the possible available information before it. the Council had satisfied itself that of all the schemes the Roding was the one favoured, taking both town and country interests into consideration.

The chairman pointed out that in addition to the investigations of Mr Williams as consulting engineer, and the City Engineer (Mr J. G. Littlejohn) the scheme had been investigated and approved by the Public Works Department.