THE RIVER.

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14029, 4 April 1919, Page 2

THE RIVER.

(To the Editor.) Sir. —I have read some very disrproting correspondence in your paper lately, in which the purity of the town water supply is denounced in somewhat unmeasured terms. Your correspondon*, Mr. Miles Schofield, is most emphatic in his condemnation of the river water, when he “ convicts ” it of being “ a vile lluid,” and cites as his witnesses “ all who know it.” This, If true, must have a very disturbing influence on consumers of this villainous compound, especially in view of its getting even more vile “ every month.” In making these very emphatic statements Mr. Schofield must possess information and evidence not open to the ordinary consumer. It would be very • aluable if he would mipply us with an analysis of the water as at present, and so enable us to gauge with certainty how many months we may go on drinking it with any degree of safety. This, he must cee, is of very vital importance, and will be perhaps still more acute' after the Ifith of this month. Another piece of evidence that would be illuminating would be figures showing the amount of sickness and number of deaths oc-

curring in the Borough due to the villainy of this otherwise placid looking stream. lam sure that Mr. Schofleld will agree with me that evidence on these lines will carry much more weight with the community than bald statements unsupported by evidence. In regard to the Kaniwaniwha supply, I think I am right in saying that all the preliminary work has been completed and the records are in the possession of the Council, and it is only the temporary prohibitive prices of material, owing to the war, that have prevented the Council going on with the scheme. The Council, wi'.h eery commendable wisdom, hesitates to saddle the community with dear water, as, unfortunately, has been done in the supply of gas. I can agree with Mr. Schofleld that a wharf is necessary if we wish to foster the river traffic, and I am not in a position to question his estimate of £IO,OOO. But, here agon , if he. will forgive me, I think an estimate and figures and a definite site would be of more value than the bald statement that a wharf is necessary, and that the cost would lie £IO,OOO, and the required revenue available.— I am, etc., C. J. W. BARTON.