THE COMPANY’S WATER

Evening Star, Issue 3478, 16 April 1874, Page 2

THE COMPANY’S WATER

The following discussion took place in the City Council last evening on Professor Black’s report and analysis being read Cr. Barnes moved that the analysis be referred to the Waterworks Committee, and that the thanks of the Council be given to Dr Black for the trouble he had taken in the matter. He wished to repeat what he had said at the last meeting on the subject of the water, which statement had been afterwards contradicted. Last Friday afternoon he visited the Waterworks, when he found a stone culvert, with a stockyard just behind. He saw the rain wash manure down into the creek. He went a little higher up and saw a tub and a bench, apparently intended for pig-killing. Then there were soap and soapsuds, which could not help running into the creek which led into the small reservoir.

: I igher up, he had found several large heaps of manure, which injured the water in the same way. A great portion of the water in the small reservoir was as green as the cloth on that table. Then he saw another stockyard, the refuse from which went into the creek. As long as ;such a state of things was allowed to be carried on, they could not expect good water, and it was quite time the Corporation took some action in the matter.

Or. Ramsay seconded the motion. The report formed a very strong argument why the Council should oppose any greater powers being given to the Water Company. The directors had pointed out how valuable their works were, but in bis opinion they had overshot the mark, for they had overlooked their chief duty, which was to supply pure water to the citizens.

Cr. Reeves proposed that a fcopy of Professor Black’s report be forwarded to the Waterworks Company. This would only b a matter of courtesy, and could do no harm. Cr. Prosser did not see the use of sending the report to the Waterworks Company, as it had already been published in the Star, He thought the proper course was to move that the Water Company be at once requested to form a bed for the purposes of filtration.

Or. Barnes adopted Councillor Prosser’s suggestions. Cr. Burt had not the slightest doubt that what (Jr. Barnes had said was correct, but the evil was not without its remed. A great deal of money had been spent on the stormwater channel, but he was not in a position to state that the company used it, and it was for the Council to see that it was used They should urge upon the company the construction of these ti Iter-beds, which should have been constructed long ago. A few thousand pounds would remedy the evil. Cr. Barnes : Five hundred pounds would do it all.

Cr. Burt thought that regular analyses should be made of the Dunedin water—say once a month.

Cr. Walter felt pleased that Cr. Samehad made the practical examination to which he had referred. Many persons had looked upon Ur Bakewell’s remarks with some suspicion, and he thought they should thank Or. Barnes for making the examination at the time he had done so. He would support the motion that the report be referred to the Waterworks Committee.

His Worship agreed with the remarks that had been made. It behoved them, as representatives of the people, to insist upon getting these filter-beds put in. The resolution was put and carried unanimously. :