The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY JANUARY 29, 1881.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 679, 29 January 1881, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY JANUARY 29, 1881.

Attention has recently been drawn by an announcement in our advertising columns to the advantage which Masterton might obtain from a trial artesian well being sunk in its vicinity. However valuable such wells may be to stations and farms, wo are disposed to believe that one of them would bo of still greater importance to the town of Masterton itself, and that it is worth while considering whether the experiment of sinking one should not be resorted to either by the Borough Council or by private subscription. For years past waterworks have often been spoken of in connection with Wasterton. The necessity of an ample supply for drinking, as well as for fire brigade purposes, street watering, Ac, has been generally recognised, but as yet no scheme has been laid before the public which has been within the reach of our public or private means. 11 is underStood that even Mr Renall's proposal for conducting water through the town, though the most economical plan yet: devised, is for tho present far beyond our resources, Jt appears tons that embarrassed, as we are, in obtaining a water supply by financial considerations, the solution of the difficulty might be found in the aitahn well system, From enquiries we have made-we are satisfied that an expert in sinking—one who recently bored to a depth of 200 ft at Chrstchurch through exceptionally hard strata, and struck a perennial spring—is willing to give this district a fair trial if a sum of .£SO for expenses be forthcoming. Of course.the expenditure of £5.0 would not necessarily result in a perpetual ■flow of pure water, but there is a strong probability of it doing so; and it would, we think, be a wise speculation to take the risk. We understand that should a spring be struck, the flow of water from it would be ample for the immediate requirements of the town, and that a sort of miniature water works, producing a fluid of unexceptionable quality would be provided at almost a nominal cost, It would, we consider, be a very proper course for the Borough Council to take the opinion of the ratepayers at a public meeting as to whether £SO should not be expended out of the borough funds for such an bbjepfc, If, however, this

alternative were consiclered an" undesirable one there are, we trusfci• suffi- ]\ cient public spirited men injtbetowh to raise by subscription the ;smail amount needed, We heard one settler —and lie only a newcomer—offer., to contribute £5 tositcha. fund." Surely* some of our city fathers and'old; .residents who rajaice. ju\ the ...possession -of considerable properties*"' withliF3Be' "toffii would be proportionately liberal. Recognising that this experiment is one which is calculated to benefit every householder in the borough, we should be quite justified in making it out of the borough fund. Should, - however, the overdrawn state of this ever-running fount be inimical to the proposal, then private enterprise would be the only feasible plan.