864 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION J. 



disregard shown l)y some surveyors to make provision for 

 both water supply and drainage when engaged in laying out 

 a new township. The excuse may be that they are " not 

 instructed " to look into such matters, and theii" operations 

 are confined to marking off a series of rectangular blocks, 

 after the pattern of a chess-board. If this be so, then, surely 

 the departmental heads under Avhoni they are employed are 

 open to censure. Every surveyor should, after fixing the 

 boundaries of a new township, start a contour survey of the 

 enclosed area, and eventually lay out the roadways so as to 

 secure the best gradients for drainage. His next step should 

 be to ascertain the most desirable position for a water reserve, 

 which should be protected by the Government, and on no 

 account alienated by either sale or selection. In the case of 

 a newly formed township where houses are springing up 

 " mushroom-like " from the soil, all the vital points of 

 sanitation and water supply were utterly neglected. Such 

 apathy on the part of the authorities is to be greatly deplored. 

 It was not until fears were entertained of a serious outbreak 

 01 fever that any steps Avere taken to rectify the error. This 

 town had a magnificent stream running through it, which, 

 if wisdom and forethought had j)revailed, should have been 

 protected by a reserve on each side and otherwise dedicated 

 to public purposes for health and recreation ; in place of 

 this it is crossed and recrossed by small allotments, partly 

 built over, and speedily being converted into a public nuisance. 

 The following information on the existing state of water 

 supplies to some of the rural towns is of interest. In many 

 cases it is gratifying to notice that attention is being given to 

 the importance of obtaining a better supply, whilst others 

 express a cold-hearted satisfaction in letting things remain as 

 they are : — 



1. " We have no system of water supply, neither have we 

 any intention to institute such. Residents obtain water from 

 tanks and also cart it from wells. The charge for carting is 

 eighteen-pence per load of 18 gallons. The present supply is 

 not satisfactory, and it would be desirable to institute a better 

 one as circumstances are favourable." Population, 300. 

 Seaport. 



2. "We have no system of water supply, neither have we 

 any intention whatever to institute one- Residents obtain 

 water from tanks and cart it from wells. The charge for 

 carting is two shilHngs per load of eighteen gallons. The 

 supply is not satisfactory nor good in quahty. It would be 



