THE POSITION AT NELSON.

Southern Cross, Volume 7, Issue 27, 15 October 1898, Page 8

THE POSITION AT NELSON.

lif the matter of water supply it is; instructive to note what Nelson is doing. It is the fashion to speak of the place as ‘ Sleepy Hollow,’ but the title is not well bestowed. There must be a good deal of energy in operation when the town can boast of biscuit and confectionery works, jam factory, tanneries, breweries, soapworks, wood factories and vinegar works, foundry and iron worlds. There is also, of coarse, the fruit industry. One of the local papers states that much of the land formerly devoted to hops is now used in thecultivation of tomatoes, the growing of hops being carried on in the country districts where land is less valuable. And it is here that the question of water supply comes in. Waterworks were established thirty years ago, and have answered well, but the supply is proving inadequate to existing demands, and unless more water is forthcoming for the use of gardens and manufactures the fruit industry will suffer, and property be depreciated. Under these circumstances it is urged that borrowing should be resorted to if found necessary to bring the waterworks up to date, the argument being ‘ that though it necessitated a slight addition to the rates those, called upon to pay would be relieved from the present danger of depreciation in the value of their properties, and would, in addition, receive, directly or indirectly, substantial advantages.’ In Invercargill the case is far moreurgent than in Nelson.