GREYTOWN WATER SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2983, 22 January 1917, Page 8

GREYTOWN WATER SUPPLY

The official turning on of the Greytown -high-pressure water supply was attended by a large number of people from various' parts of the Wairarapa. The Mayor of Greytewn (Air. Loasby) turned the hydrant, when a jet of water from a Jin. nozzlo issued from the connected hose at a pressure registering 821b. to the sqtfaro inch. The Mayor in a few words formally declared the waterworks opened. A second hydrant, with nozzle measurement of fin., was turned on, which only reduced the pressure to 741b. Then another hydrant, with Jin. nozzle, was released, and the pressure registered G4lb. A fourth hydrant nozzle was added, and the pressure was found to stand at 571b. For over a quarter of an hour the hydrants continued to play, and the pressure remained at 571b. > The Mayor sketched the- history of the movement to get a system of highpressure water and drainage. A poll for a loan of £20,000 on November 14, 1914, proved successful by nearly two votes to one recorded. Of that sum thero had been expended to date on the waterworks £13,960, against tho engineer's estimate of £11,276, an increased cost of £2663, accounted for by war prices of material and labour. The system comprised five and a half miles of 9in. pipes, eight and a half miles of 7iii., 6in., sin., 4in., and 3m. pipes— and an extension of lin. pipes to isolated houses had to bo made. Taking water and drainage expenditure together, there remained at date some £545 of the £20,000, with an as yet unascertained expenditure on the septic tank, which would probably require to be built near the Ruamalmnga, but before any further expense would be curred in this connection ho, the Mayor, would take tbo ratepayers fully into his counsel. Before sitting down the speaker made complimentary reference to the amicable relations wliick had existed between the council and all those through whose land tho pipes had to be laid. In this connection tho names of Messrs. Bassett and Jackson were favourably mentioned.

Dr. Bey, on behalf _ of the townspeople, expressed satisfaction at the way the work had been carried out, and thanked the council, and especially eulogised the Mayor for what had been so successfully carried through. The contractor was Mr. M'Almont, and Mr. Lceder was the engineer who prepared the scheme.