The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1912. KEEP MOVING.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 87, 20 February 1912, Page 2

The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1912. KEEP MOVING.

ANY town, if it has the least desire to be progressive, must be always watching its chances, and be alert to use them thoroughly for its own development. Usually the surface has to be scratched, or even dug into, to disclose latent possibilities, but Tc Awamutu at present —turn which way she will —is faced with opportunities of such value that it is little short of a sin to neglect them. Under such circumstances it does not require much brains or energy to achieve such results as would pave the way to the substantial advancement of our town. We have clearest evidence of what may be done, and without doubt the ordinarily energetic man has ample scope for action. Four matters of paramount importance —namely, systems of water supply, drainage, lighting, and street improvement—are under consideration by the authorities, "ut present indications would seem

to show that these works are but tentative —and are likely to remain so for some time. It is now about six months since an engineer's report was obtained for water supply proposals (and a good deal longer since a public meeting passed resolutions regarding a cemetery—but that's another story), and yet, apart from street corner discussion, these matters have apparently dropped, and so valuable time is being wasted and property remains at the mercy of the first big fire. This fact alone should call for speedy action. Drainage works and street improvement schemes were also mooted at the time water supply proposals were discussed, and these two most commendable propositions,which would play so important a part in our development, have been seemingly forgotten, and we are left with sewage lying about anywhere and clouds of dust or seas of mud on our roads. Later a gas works was talked of, to be quickly followed by a proposal from an enterprising company, which had faith in both itself and this district, to instal a coal gas plant, and which, after consideration, was referred back to the authorities for further consideration. This, too, apart from pushing salesmen who are anxious to dispose of their wares, and refuse to forget lighting, has apparently been forgotten, so that we must ask, where are we or what are our prospects ? We do not wish to badger the authorities. Theirs is a most thankless task, and small wonder is it if they grow tired when the support they deserve is not forthcoming. They should not, however, lose heart, but push right ahead with busi-ness-like determination. We think that ere this something definite as regards a water supply should have been placed before the ratepayers, and it should not be much longer before the question of lighting is settled. The longer these matters are delayed the greater the risk of missing the tide which is serving so well just now. That our present population can be more than doubled within a very short time is patent to every thinking man if we but shake up and wake up. Without apology we ' claim it as our duty to do a little fault-find-ing, or at least ask some questions as tothese long delays, and so further our individual and collective interests. Is it not possible for Te Awamutu to enthuse a little bit, having as its goal the development of our town, and thus earn for ourselves that standing for which we are so eminently suited ? By so doing we will not not only make a town of our dusty, muddly, neglected village, but will be lining our own pockets and adding very considerably to our personal comforts.