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New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2906, 22 May 1873, Page 1 (Supplement)

To the Editor of the Hebald, Sib,—lf abuse and detraction of other sources wero an argument, Councillor Dargaville would certainly have the best of the dispute on the " Water Supply" question, seeing that this style of treating the matter, appears to the " glass of fashion and the mould of form" incontrovertible—it is noticeable all persons who agree with Councillor Dargaville's views are intelligent, disinterested men, while others, who express a different opinion, are, of course, pronouncing only theoretical views, as if there were really not a number of qualified gentlemeu who have repeatedly and consistently expressed favourable opinions of the supply from the "Western Springs. But like the ostrich who hides his head in the sond, and thus hopes to escape danger, our gallant Councillor hopes, by ignoring these statements, to at once get rid of them. The assertion that coal would be nearer 40s than 22s per ton is, I think, very improbable, there being nothing to prevent it being landed by sea curriage close to the pumping works. The assertion about the filthy nature of the watershed is emphatically contradicted by Mr. Bell and other engineers, and although they do not belong to the " royal company, probably their opiuions are of more consideration than Councillor Dargaville's. There is, in reality, a great deal more probability as the | timber is cleared away, of the Nibotopu source flying away than there is of the Western Springs, which have not, even in the dryest season, or even in the memory of the " oldest inhabitant," been known to be much less than thev are at present. The extreme diffidence and modesty with which our Councillor alludes to his own common Benße and experience, in opposition to Mr. Peppercorne's professional Bkill, must convince all who love modeßty

that we have a great man amongst us—alaa unappreciated. Whence this great haste to bind the Council to one source and to one opinion, manifested in the City Council, seeing they can in reality do nothing until the Provincial Council assents to the Water-works Bill 2' Then we have the Water Supply Committee who were appointed with power to expend any reasonable amount in making inquires, and to bring up a report within three months. What do we learn by yesterday's meeting ? —that; there were three meetings, properly at all of which were present only the chair* man and one member; that the other meeting took place in the street, at which this report was agreed upon. So much for the careful inquiries and investigations of this committee, and of a report which pledges the Council to a certain scheme, that even providing the Provincial Council pass the Water-works Bill, and the ratepayers assent to the measure, it does not provide for sufficient borrowing powers for this very supply. —I am, &c., Est Modus n: Rebu3.