MESSES ANDERSON AND CO. AND THE WATER OF LEITH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10241, 25 December 1894, Page 4

MESSES ANDERSON AND CO. AND THE WATER OF LEITH.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —I notice in the report of the City Council that R, Anderson and Co. have offered their water right at the Leith to the corporation for £4500. This is within a few pounds of what they gave for the whole of the property. As I have worked at the Leith Flour Mills for the last 22 years off and on I can speak of its value past and present, and I can guess its value in the future. Now, I am not the only one that can see the day coming when the City Council will have to turn on water in the Leith to keep down smells and purify it. Let me now see what is its value. I believe some time ago it was offered to tha City Council for £10,000 pounds or more ; in less than 10 years it was offered for £5000, and in less than one year after it is offered for £4500, and if the City Conncil only wait a little longer thay will get it for its true value, which is nothing. As a water supply for the City it ha 3 dried up sever to return, unless it be in the winter, and then there is too much. Now, as I pay taxes, and that heavily, too, I must protest against these riparian-right owners as they call themselves offering such useless rights. Let the City Council call on someone that knows the Leith past and present, and the power that used to bs got from the stream, not the owners that have only had it for about two years, and then they will get at its true value.-« I am, &c, John Downik, South Dnnedin, December 20.