The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-08-04

companies could afford to insure town
property at much lower rates, the ne.
cessity of insuring property at all would
be greatly decreased, and at all events
those losses which fall on individuals
in case of fire, would be mostly avoided.
These considerations come home to
every one Immediately after fire, in
a town unsupplied with water, but too
often pass out of mind and are not re.
called until the next conflagration. But
our town has become of such magni-
tude, and properties are of such value
that the question of protection against
fire must be kept in view, until such
protection shall be afforded.
Proper waterworks, however, would
not only afford protection against fire,
but would supply all our imperative
domestic necessities and social needs in
regard to water, and the amount which
would be consumed annually calculat-
ed in its gross quantity would be enor.
nous. However, the necessity OF wa
ter supply need not be enlarged upon,
as it will be admitted by all.
The time, manner and conditions of
water supply are therefore the sole top
les with which we need concern our.
selves. The time should be an early
date, for there can be no adequate rea-
son for postponing it until we have a
greater number of bitants, and un-
til some extensive and des tructive fire
shall startle us, and produce energetic
action.
There is but one way by which we
can secure water supply at this time. 1t
is idle to expect that individual citi
zens will voluntarily contribute the
amount necessary to be expended with.
out an expectation of profit in return,
and our object cannot be obtained by a
water company, because no such organ.
ization exists, or is authorized by law
But under provisions of the general
borough act of 1851, which are applied
to our town in its charter, the town
council have complete authority to take
all steps and incur all expenditures
necessary to supply the town with wa
ter. AS the case stands we must look
to them to supply our wants and ne
cessities, and in all proper efforts tc
that end, we have no doubt they will
be heartily supported by public opin'
ion. The making of Il town map is well
enough, as is also the protection Of the
river bank on the southern side of the
town, the projected removal or reorgan
ization of the Forks Hotel, and severa
new streets and other Improvements
but the greatest necessity of all to the
town is WATER, and that necessity
must be supplied.
, Here we come to two questions, Tho
question of location and the question o
expense in the construction of the
works, and upon these points we have
a few suggestions to make. In oui
opinion the works must be upon Fish
ingcreek and perhaps dependant upol
that stream for power as well as water
supply.
Either by water or steam power the
waters of Fishingcreek can be easily
lifted to reservoir upon either of sew
eral hills in the vicinity. Red Rocl
hill, intervening between the settled
parts of the town and the creek, vii
give sufficient elevation to supply the
whole town, except the Normal Schoo
extension. Other nights east and wes
of the creek and of Irondale, will afford
still greater elevation and can be re
sorted to. A particular suggestion We
shall be obtained from wells or pits
sunk in the creek below the level of it
bed and covered over with several fee
of gravel and sand. Pipes for drawing
the water being laid from these pits o
f wells, the whole water supply will b
thoroughly clean and well fitted TO
every kind of use. 1t will be strained
through the bed of the creek and conn
to us perfectly clear and pure.
A practical way to proceed in this en-
terprise will be to invite competent en-
gineers and contractors from abroad
) who, after examining the facilities w
}
plans and estimates of the work ant
. submit proposals for its performance
We feel confident that the expense will
be moderate that it is one which tn
, town can well bear, that there is n
, necessity for postponing an outlay TO
this object to some future year, ant
, there can be certainly no question tina
, the watersupply obtained in the name
, above mentioned will be most excel
lent and abundant. The attention O
, our "Town Fathers" " is invited to thi
, important question.
Game Laws.
"Game" is defined generally to be
"wild meats designed for or served a
t table," BY the English Forest Law
and game laws it seems that the wort
had embraced within itself: /, beasts c
d. chase, the buck, the doe, the fox, tn
t marten and the roe; ., of warren, hare
and comics and roes; 8, fowls of warre
partridges, grouse, heath or moor game
black game, bustards, snipe, quai
: landrail and woodcock.
!. In Pennsylvania the word game ma
!, be said to include all animals and fowl
:. of a wild nature, fit for food for man
= and thus to exclude what we call of tn
- chase or prey, as foxes and martens
!, nuskrats, wolves, &C., all of (which hav
;, been left out Of the pale of protection
,fl "rhough the beast of game
The privilege of chase may claim,
u Though space and law the stag we lend.
Ii Ere hound we slip, or bow We bend,
,t Whoever rcck d where, how or when,
. The prowlng fox was trapped or snn."