THE WATER QUESTION.

Southland Times, Issue 17347, 19 May 1913, Page 2

THE WATER QUESTION.

T» the Editor. . Sir, —Quite a flutter of indig-nation /was caused In the Council last evening amongst some of the members on Councillor Ott's presumption when he suggested that certain gentlemen not members be asked to assist the water committee in their endeavours to get this important question settled. Cr Haggltt made himself quite conspicuous, showing he had given the question a great deal of thought, as was proved by his learned and intensely interesting state- • ment that "By the gravitation scheme a plentiful supply was assured, and the cost of lifting done away with.” How thankful the citizens ought to be that our new councillor is such a deep thinker, and so keen a reasoned. The worthy councillor also stated that the only way to arrive at a true 'decision was to follow the opinion of a competent engineer. I would like to ask if the late Mr Dobson, 9dr Halllday, Mr Bews,. Mr Sharp, Mr Sturrock, and Mr Clapcott are to be .considered incompetent because they have all said they believed water could be obtained from underground? Every one of these gentlemen has also suggested to the Council their particular way of getting this supply to the surface. Is Mr J. M. Stewart, the contractor for the bores, to be considered incompetent because he reported that it was his firm conviction, formed after sinking bores all his life, that two million gallons per day could be obtained from the water works reserve? Further, no civil engineer would or could pass any opinion until the ground had been tested. The only way thoroughly to test it is by boring as suggested and begun by Mr Sturrock on the trial and error system. Had the Council allowed Messrs Sturrock and Clapcott to complete the simple and only reliable way, the question would have been settled long ago. But no, they instructed their engineers to sink for artesian supply, hence the expenditure of most of the £ISOO. The present bore was put down at a cost of £35 and was the best investment ever made by the Council, because it disclosed a hitherto unknown source of supply. Councillor Bennie's motion that the water committee be empowered to try to empty the bore, on the face of it was a good proposition, but I sincerely hope that care will be exercised, as there is the risk that if the whole of the water were to be extracted the bottom might suddenly blow up and choke the bore. Certainly not more than 20,000 gallons per hour should he extracted, and in any case it would be practically impossible to empty the bore unless it were deepened to permit of the air pipe having the proper submergence. Councillor Moffett’s opinion was “that there was an ample supply In the Dunsdale.” This statement does not coincide with that of Mr W. Sharp, the only engineer outside of Mr Clapcott who has been asked for or submitted a report to the Council, Mr Sharp reported "the Dunsdale Is not worth considering, as the supply is very limited and liable to dry up when most wanted.” I again repeat that not a single engineer has. recommended the Dunsdale, and not one but has approved of thoroughly testing the underground supply. Most of the engineers have great faith in it as a permanent and good source of supply. Mr Clapcott certainly measured the Dunsdale on two occasions, and found there was sufficient water to supply the town, but as far as I am aware that gentleman has never been asked the question, Can you recommend the Dunsdale as a permanent supply? A gentleman called on me to-day and made this statement, "I owned and worked a sawmill for three years in the Dunsdale district, and It was quite a common occurrence with my waggoners to tako a shovel with them so that they could sink a hole in the bed of the Dunsdale, which, by the time they got hack with the empty waggon, would have sufficient water in it for the horses to get a drink.” I have no reason to doubt this gentleman’s word because lie backs up the statement, "that he is prepared to swear to it. and bring witnesses to prove it.” He also stated that "ho has seen only a trickle coming over the rocks at the watei fall,” T enclose the gentleman’s name as a guarantee of good faith. This la the first occasion I have spoken disparagingly of dhe Dunsdale, but after hearing this statement I felt compelled to give it to your readers, so that they can investigate the matter for themselves if they feel suft'icleut interest. Assuming it is found we have not sufficient water underground we must see to it that we get our supply from soma souroo beyond all doubt.—l am, ctP .. .lAS. STISWART. May i9fb, 1913.