SAVING THE BAWBEES. Water a Luxury in Wellington.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 98, 17 May 1902, Page 8

SAVING THE BAWBEES. Water a Luxury in Wellington.

THE people who are feaitul ot haung a few shillings extia to pay in water rates prevailed at the poll last week. In other uonls the proposal to borrow £280,000 to spend on augmenting and improving the unsatisfactory water supply of Wellington was negatived by 777 votes to 298. As there are 7,329 names on the electors' roll, and only 1075 of that number took the trouble to vote, it is obvious that there is a lamentable indifference on this important question. We perceive that the Ratepayers' Association are anxious to claim the doubtful credit of defeating the scheme. They declare that their numbers have greatly increased in consequence of their agitation on this subject, and as there were 21 present at their meeting this week, and one member naively confessed he was quite carried away by the excitement of seeing such a large assemblage, an increase in membership must have been very badly needed. r- * * For our part we feel surprised that on a question which so vitally affects the health, comfort, and well-being of the community as that of water supply there should be such strange apathy. Not only apathy as regards the bulk of the electors, but actual hostility in two out of every three of the small minority who took the trouble to vote. What are the facts '? ♦ • * In the first place, the residents on the higher levels of the city are frequently reduced to short commons in water, and at times their supply ceases altogether. The pressure is so light that the supply is ineffective for fireextinguishing purposes. Witness the disastrous Hawker- street fire of last year, which swept bare a considerable area on the slope of Mount Victoria, and could not be arrested in its work of devastation simply because the water supply was altogether inadequate to meet the emergency. * » * Even in a season of plentiful rain like the present the Corporation are forced into the miserable expedient of stopping the water supplies for church organs, and for such industrial necessities as water-engines and waterblasts in connection with foundries and blacksmiths' shops. A month ago they gave three months' notice that they would cease suppying water for motive power other than lifts. How long existing lifts will have the water is doubtful. And yet the Corporation are making a profit of £3,000 out of the existing water supply ! • » * The over-thriity souls who refuse to have any more money spent on water so that their rates may not be increased say the present supply will suffice if all waste is stopped. For how long will it suffice ? Is the population stationary, or likely to remain so ? Is the Greater Wellington scheme to be knocked on the head ? Are the

people on the high le\els to be kept m a state ot water lamine e\eiy summer, and placed at the meicy of fire ? Aie industrial operations in the city to bo handicapped and penalised 0 Abo\e all, is the health ot this large community to be endangered tor such paltry and penuiions considerations ? t ju -I. Let our water supply be abundant for all purposes, so that no one may go wanting, and no legitimate need be denied The scheme Avhich was subnutted to the ratepayers was carefully deused by the City Engineer. It was revised and appro\ed, vuth some slight modifications, by two independent experts, and finally it was adopted by the Council. To refuse to sanction because it means an increase in rates is surely short-sighted folly. The safety of the people is the paramount consideration, and how is that safety to be assured to a city >\hich stints its water supply '?