WATER SCHEME.

Dunstan Times, Issue 451, 9 December 1870, Page 3

WATER SCHEME.

Since the Town Council of Clyde was ca'led into existence some live years ago, it has been unceasing in its efforts to effect iranroveinonts where nee'ed. Under its auspices, the streets from the north end of the township to the Cam, have been formed and channelled, an 1 for the "re iter part of the distance ncatlv herbed with stone. A Town Hall, bui't in a style seldom seen in Now Zealand beyond the limits of the ha ring Provincial capitals has been erected »t a cost of £BOO an I has proved not only of great service to the townspeople, but a source of considerable revenue. A supply of water for a’l domestic requirements has been secured, the outlav incurred for the purchase of which, |T (T240) will, in a very short period be cop a’ered by the rites levied for its use, which though fall in? Unfitly on individual ratepayers, yields £8() annually. Other works for the promotion of the comfort and convenience of the ratepayers, involving the expenditure of considerable sums, have been initiated and carried out by the Council. the recapitulation of which does not come within the purpose of the present article. And the Council has done this, and commences its present financial year avith a sum of between £(500 and £7OO to expend, a position unrivalle 1 by that of any oth’r country munici ality in Otago. Having thus briefly sketched what the Council has done for Clvde, we will proceed to notice a scheme which, if carried out, will transcend all their previous efforts. Wo allude to the water scheeme, which was discussed last Wednesday evening by the Council. They propose to take the water race at a c nsiderably higher level than at present, an ! conduct it round the face of the terrace to a height of forty or fifty feet a' ove the street level, where a dam will be constructed. From the reservoir so formed it is intended to lav pipes into the town and along the centre of the streets, with lire plugs inserte ' at various places. The adva tages of this project are self-ovi eut. In the first place, were it carried out, the resi-'ents of Clyde would enjoy almost complete immunity from the dangers of fire, with its corollary, low rates of insurance, which, of course, will rreatly enhane the value of property. Secondly, an unlimited supply of pure clean water woul■ always be available for domestic purposes, as the water would bo taken from a level which would prevent all chances of pollution as at present. Thirdly, there would be the convenience of having the water lai I on, by means of small pipes, to the dwellings of the residents—a convenience enjoyed liy very few towns in New Z inland. There are many minor advantages which might be enlarged upon, but we think those alrea !y enumerated are sufficient to demonstrate clearly the immense benefit the resi cuts of of Clyde would receive fro a the carrying out nf the scheme. And one of its greatest recommendations is that it would ho u reproductive work in tile truest reuse of the term. In our report of the Council meeting of Wednesday last will bo fouu ' a carefully compiled estimate of the probable cost af carrying out the proposed works. This estimate, which the Mayor stated is consi lovably over the mark, makes the_ total proposed outlay £SOU. If a Corporation had to borrow the money, the water rates wind 1 repay interest and principal in about live years. There "oos not however appear to be any necessity for borrowing, as the amount the ■Council has available for the ensuing year | will in all probability, after provi iug | funds for all necessary improve meats, j in the town, bo found sufficient to defray i the costs of the require I works. On referring to th i balance sb ret of the Mount I 'a Water W u-ks 0 > npany, we find that the total expense of taking water into I Naseby, in a style similar to what the j Clyde Council projee’, amounted to £-135. | From this amount however must be re- j ducted cost of forming the Company, and various other charges, which in the present instance would not require to be incurred, reducing the actual cost of the works to about £375. The same amount ought to carry out the Cly In seluui, aid we have no doubt hut that it will d no. Tae Council having app liute I a com nitt re to take preliminary steps in the matter, we defer farther comment on the matter, hoping that many mouths will nut elapse, before we have the pleasure of reporting the completion of t ,e Clyde Water Works.