THE WATER PROBLEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15830, 29 January 1915, Page 4

THE WATER PROBLEM.

Water being scarce and the supply possibly insufficient for the elementary needs of Auckland in the neac future, by-laws for limiting its use have to be enforced and breakers of by-laws dealt with by the magistrates. This, however, does not justify in any way the system under which the community is inadequately supplied. So far from the hosing of lawns and gardens being in itself a reprehensible act and one inherently criminal, this use of water is most commendable and desirable, where a reasonable supply is provided by the authorities. There is no advantage whatever in having plenty of water during rainy weather or in being unlimited in its use during the. winter. It is during hot weather v and dry weather that water is needed most. Then the well-supplied city gets full value for an inexhaustible supply for the increased and multiplied needs of citizens. At these times the flowing of fountains, the watering of streets, the cooling of roofs, the soaking of lawns, the nurturing of gardens, are to be ranked among the highest pleasures and the most wholesome doings. Unless a city is so provided that such periodical strain upon its water supply is easily met, that water supply is unquestionably insufficient and inadequate. Auckland has always been on the verge of watershortage during any prolonged absence of abundant rain and will continue in that position until it abandons reliance upon limited catchment areas and brings its water from a great river system. The growth of the metropolis and the increasing appreciation of water ! must constantly defeat the calculations of those who rely upon limited sources of supply and are satisfied if they keep ahead of requirement* during ordinary seasons. There may be sound cause for being content with this policy in Australia or at Aden, but it cannot be convincingly defended in such a well-watered country as New Zealand.