THE WATERWORKS RESERVE.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13465, 10 July 1912, Page 4

THE WATERWORKS RESERVE.

In all probability tho water supply of tho city will continue to bo drawn from tho present source for a great many years to come. It has boon demonstrated that given, adequate storage accommodation tho Brook stream can cope with a. much greater consumption than has to bo provided for at present, abnormal though it is in comparison with the customary allowance per head of population. There can accordingly bo no question of the soundness of the contention that common prudence- dictates the adoption of every means of ensuring tho permanence and abundance of the supply. Tho latter is a question of storage and it has been sufficently provided for for a long period ahead by the reinstatement of tho large dam. Tho question of tho permanence o,f tho supply affects the- impounding basin, a largo portion, of which—and that the most valuable portion from the city's point of view —is not at present tho property of tho city. It is unnecessary that we should .reiterate what has been said on previous occasions regarding the iimportance of tho bush that covers this land in relation to the water supply, and the impossibility of guarding against its destruction wliile it remains private property. An opportunity now presents itself for the city to extend the waterworks reserve to include a largo area of this bush clad country, at a total expenditure of £1200. Such an opportunity may never recur, and the ratepayers should avail themselves of it while they may. , Wo have no doubt ifiat this is the view of all who have given the subject any consideration at all. Another aspect of the matter that must appeal to everyone is that tho proposed purchase would sccuro for tho use of the public in perpetuity one of the most beautiful natural parks in the Dominion. The City Council will take, on the 17th of this month, a poll of the ratepayers on a proposal to borrow the sum of £1200 to enable the purchase to be effected, and it is confidently expected that the proposal will bo carried by a largo major-' itv.