HOKITIKA IN DANGER.

West Coast Times, Issue 1663, 28 January 1871, Page 2

HOKITIKA IN DANGER.

To the Editor of the Went Coast Times

and Observer.

Sir — Wars and rumors of wars are serious things to contemplate so are storm* at sea, floods and inundations ; but what can there be worse than a sudden outburst of fire in Hokitika at the time ?

I should like the public to be in funned of what has become of the scheme that the Corporation paid £25 for some time ago ; also what has become of all the wind mills, water channels, water wheels, elevated tanks ; also the tanks proposed to be erected by Mr Armson. at the rear of the town hall, &c, &c.

Evidently those whose duties are to protect life and property are forgetting that Hokitika wa-i never in more need of their serious consideration on thi-* matter than at the present moment. Every householder is crying out for the want of water for domestic' purposes, f don't believe there arc 2000 gallons of water available in the whole town, unless it be in the wdls in Weld, Staff >rd, and Hampden street. And pray what service would they be in the event of afire breaking out, and lasting for any length of time, and extend to both sides of the street. I am at a loss to understand how the Fire Brigade could stop the progress of a fire raging on both sides of the 'street, having at their disposal only one fire-engine; and supposing the present one to be working at the one end, what have we to stop the progress of the fire at the o'her end? It necessarily follows that one of the two would have | to take its chance of being burned or pulled down, thereby causing great destruction of, property. Although we have an efficient and w 11 organized body of firemen in Hokitiku.and conilorfcpd by r.u mdefatijrft- ' blc captain, and the., whole Rriaadc will ; hoar comparison with any in New Zealand, i at the same time all the service they could j render vvm; I .itnfjH s r(^Tfrr.-Tt'ric under the ,' above hurried pireum^tiiiH'o*. I am of \ opinion tiiat the rown i> now ol' sufficient importance and tymg enough psfihlhlipd 1o demand that some immediate step^ should he taken to render better security tn pro- ' perty and stockholders than available aft present, the whole of 'which T may say is totally uninsured. Should such a calamity befall us na occurred at Port Lyttleton some short time since, it would bo absolute ruination tn the inhabitants of ITokitika, and the time has now j arrived that we should tnke immediate action, and have some practical and substantial scheme laid hefore nur Rorough Councillors, and let them carry it out. Should they not have the means at their disposal, could they tint offer pome inducement to an enterprising man of business to supply and complete a sound, practical, and comprehensive scheme for providing the town with a plentiful supply of water in case of firo ; also, to serve for domestic purposes. It might be competent for th« Corporation to levy a special annual tax to reimburse the speculators. By this means the Corporation will not cet involved in debt by bavin* the town supplied with such an invaluable necessity. Tarn given to understand that amongst the competitors for the bonus ■ ■ffered some time ago by the Town Council Mite were one or two very sound and practical plans submitted sni'able for the requirements of this town, and al 'hough of a very substantial construction would not be a ve-y expensive undertakin? for a work of this kind, considering the distance we are from the manufactories where the required materials are made. I am, &c , WATER SUPPLY.