WATER SUPPLY LOAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 28 April 1937, Page 6

WATER SUPPLY LOAN

[To The Editor] Sir. —As an old resident of Nelson who has been connected with the commercial activities of the City foi a great number of years and also as a substantial ratepayer, I feel it my duty to state plainly my views on the forthcoming water proposals. Nelson urgently requires an increased water supply. Recent correspondents to the Press all recognise this necessity—the controversy is over the methods of getting the necessity. The present City Council, a good body of men, have given much thought and endless time to the consideration of this matter. They have been guided by the advice of the best recognised engineering authorities and we should now be prepared to stand by our Council in this very definite forward move for the city and district. To turn down the proposals would be a disastrously retrograde step. The Government has agreed to contribute £35,000 towards the cost of this proposal—an offer which, if we turn down, might never be made again. Apathy may lose for Nelson this very necessary public service and on polling day I strongly urge every citizen who has the interests of Nelson at heart to register his or her vote in favour of the proposal.—l am, etc.. WILLIAM ROGERS. Nelson, 28th April. [To The Editor] Sir,—Because I was a member of the last City Council .which considered the question of the water supply, and proved favourable, after experts’ reports had been fully considered, to the adoption of the Roding river scheme, 1 have been asked by several ratepayers to give my views. This I now do, not as one setting up to be an expert, but quite humbly, as an ordinary man of business, who, given the particulars collected by the professional engineers, made an honest attempt to decide upon what was best for the city and district.

My conclusion is that it would be a catastrophe to the City of Nelson and the immediate district, if the loan were not carried.

I would like to point out that the Council’s advice is one of the foremost men in New Zealand, thoroughly conversant with the conditions of this country, and fully qualified to investigate and gove an opinion. He is a member of each of the following: N.Z. Society of Civil Engineers, Member Royal Sanitary Institute, England, Member N.Z. Institute of Surveyors. Also, his order of reference was as full as could be required by the'most critical.

Further, the scheme has been fully considered and approved by two successive City Councils, the Public Works Department, the Health Department, and the Local Bodies' Loans Board. One of the most significant things can be adduced from the letter written by the Hon. the Acting-Prime Minister, who wrote inter alia: “I trust that the assistance being provided by the Government will contribute towards the success of the poll in order that the important water supply, so necessary to the health and well-being of the citizens, may become an accomplished fact in the near future.”

With all respect to the opinion of those who advocate further delay and urge the people to vote against the loan, may I say that if the loan is not carried, Nelson will incure the severe displeasure of the Health Department, whose officers are very anxious about our present supply, and I suggest that if we get a very dry summer during the next three years, there will be great cause for anxiety, with the possibility of an outbreak of some dread disease in epidemic form. Such a misfortune would put Nelson back several years, and the resultant loss be far more severe than the 10 or 12 shillings a year more in rates, which would be the contribution of the average householder. In connection with that, may I make the point that with every building erected from now on in the city, a resultant reduction of the individual’s responsibility would be made. The more living here, the more to share the cost; but if it is known throughout the country that Nelson has so insufficient a water supply as to cause great inconvenience, to endanger health, and to increase fire risk—how are we to

progress? I beg voters to give this matter the fullest consideration, rely upon the advice of your elected Council, backed by the experts they have engaged, by Government experts, and the words of the Acting-Prime Minister. Exefcise your right to vote and see that the loan is carried.—l am, etc., F. W. HUGGINS. Nelson, 28th April.