WOMEN CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19550, 5 August 1925, Page 4

WOMEN CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION.

WATER SUPPLY AND HOUSING. A meeting of the Women Citizens’ Association was held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms last evening, and was presided over by Miss M. I. Fraser. CT J. IV. M'Curdy, member of the St. Kilda Borough Council, was present by invitation. Tho Town Clerk, Dunedin, wrote that ho had conferred with the Mayor regarding tho association’s suggestion that he or a councillor should attend the mooting, and address it on the subject of the water supply question. Ho regretted to say that the Mayor was not available, and he (the town dork) expected to have to arrange for meetings of tho Works and Water Committees on the evening on which tho association was meeting. No further information on the subject could be supplied beyond what was already known. If a prolonged period of dry weather wore experienced there was no doubt that tho council would have to impose restrictions on tho free use of the water from the city supply. Bui experience showed that, witu tho very lavish use citizens made of tho water, there was a substantial margin between tho customary quantity used and what might be used, before any real inconvenience would arise. After brief conversational discussion, Cr M‘Curdy suggested that a small deputation might be formed to wait upon tho Water Committee of the City Council. The President said they wanted to get an intelligent hioa of how the water was collected, and what were the different parts of tho town supplied. They might make another effort.

A lady member said she thought that when the reservoir was deepened there would bo no scarcity of water. Cr M’Curdy pointed out there had boon a great deal of trouble on account of a pipe underneath bursting. Now that was fixed matters should improve. Tho President: All we can do is to keep on asking questions. Cr M‘Curdv said tho place was getting thickly populated and the time would come when'the scarcity of water would bo fell. Mrs Leech pointed out that a lot of water was lost before hot water was obtained. If there' were a boiler close to tho bath-room the water was hot directly it was turned on. A better system, could bo introduced into now buildings. The President asked if anyone had a proposal to maia; by which daylight might be shed upon tho question of tho water supply. Perhaps they . had better leave the matter alone at present, as tho council was doing its best, and they should not hamper it in its efforts. She had been reading about an inexpensive housing scheme which had proved a great improvement where it had been tried from a financial, sanitary, and moral point of viow. They must not bo led astray by everyone wanting (o get something for nothing. If they could oommcr.co a scheme for providing a reasonable number of places she thought it v/ould be followed up quickly. There wore quite enough philanthropic citizens who knew that slums must not bo allowed to increase in Dunedin, and it they could suggest some tangible way out tho effort would bo supported. They might, bo able to raise funds for a housing scheme. Gould they not raise some money from tho citizens ! After some further discussion it was resolved to form a small committee to wait upon some of tho influential citizens of Dunedin with a view to obtaining (heir opinions on tho subject of building houses. It was further resolved that the laches of tho association assist in the entertaining of members of the American Fleet m tho - ‘Q” shed on August 11.