BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 532, 2 March 1876, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTBLTON.

The usual weekly meeting was held at the usual hour on Monday n ght last. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Hawkins, W. Graham, T. A. W. Parsons, H. Allwright, F. Graham, P. Cunningham, and A. Chalmers.

The clerk stated he had received £l4 19s 8d during the week. Correspondence was read from the Secretary for Public Works, running as follows.— " I have the honor to forward an extract from Mr H. P. Higgenson's report received by me yesterday, relating to the distribution of the water in Lyttelton, and to request that the Borough Council will give the matters reported on, and the suggestions made by Mr Higgenson, their attention.'' EXTRACT FEOM lIEPOKT. "Wellington, 21st February, 1876,—The plan of distribution which the Lyttelton Borough Council intend to adopt was sent me for approval, but I have not been informed of any conditions. I beg to lemind you of the following facts, and offer a few suggestions and remarks before it is too late. You will observe in my first report on above I have given the following figures, which have been adopted as data for the calculation of the different portions of the work, and which I have never seen any reason to alter. The population at that tim?, 3000 ; daily supply per head 50 gallons ; total daily requirements, 150,000 gallons. The main pipes have been designed to deliver this supply in twelve hours, so that, if deemed advisable, the town supply can be made intermittent instead of constant, as the supply to the town can be cut off every night and only turned on in case of fire, the main pipes and supply to wharves remaining however always charged. This alone will effect a saving of about 20 per cent in the consumption, which would represent the probable waste going on at night in consequence of leaks and bad fittings. It must be remembered that here, where every gallon has to be pumped at considerable cost, economy must be studied, it being far more easy to commence economically at first than to endeavor to reduce the supply after the population have been educated to waste the water, which has been always proved the case where no endeavors have been made to control the consumption. The 50 gallons per head which has been allowed is a most liberal supply, and I may mention that the actual supply consumed by the population of Liverpool for all purposes (excepting manufactories which are supplied by meter) has never exceeded 2835 gallons, which has now been reduced to 22*56 gallons per head. You will therefore perceive that with ordinary precautions we have a supply sufficient for double the present population, without working the engines more than eight hours per day, and by keeping the engines at work sixteen hours per day we can supply four times the present population with what has proved sufficient. Should, however, the people be allowed to use the water at first in an indiscriminate manner, it may very soon prove that 50 gallons per head is too little ; and for even the present population we may have to increase the working time of the engines. I would suggest that the following rules be adopted by the Town Council before the supply is laid down :—l. Plumbers—That they shall publish a list of plumbers who shall be authorised by them to execute work according to fixed instructions, and that they shall ba responsible to the Council for all work executed by them, failing which their names should be struck off the list. 2. A set of standard fittings should be exhibited after approval of the engineer. 3. All persons requiring a supply of water shall lay down and maintain all service pipes and fittings on their own premises, and one foot beyond their boundary, for the purpose of enabling a junction being made with the main, in which junction a stop cock and pavement bore should be fixed. 4. Pipes—All service pipes to be of galvanised iron or lead of approved dimensions. 5. No pipe to be laid through a drain, ashpit, or other place in which the water is liable to become fouled, or escape without observation. 6. Storage Cistern—Wherever there is a bath, hot water apparatus, or watercloset, a storage cistern shall be constructed, and if of wood lined with 31b sheet lead, and supplied direct from main by a ball cock of approved make. 7. Overflow pipes from cistern shall be brought to conspicuous points above ground on the outside of building, so as to act as warning pipes, and be at all times visible to the inspector; and in no case will such overflow pipe be allowed to be connectei with any other waste pipe o closet down pipe. 8. In no case will a watercloset be allowed to be fixed with water pipe direct from main, the water supply must in all cases be provided from a cistern, as previously explained. 9. Taps— None but screw down taps shall be fixed on pipes supplied direct from main. 10. Meters —All water supplied for trade purposes to be supplied by meter. 11. Before a connection for the supply of water can be made, all pipes, fittings, &c, must be inspected and approved by the officers appointed. 12. Printed forms should be furnished to plumbers (who have previously signed agreements to conform to fill up and deliver at the Council office as notices of fittings being ready for inspection, and also of any alterations made to existing pipes or fittings, and said notices to be given before above are covered in with earth. These are the principal points which require to be attended to, and I would suggest that the Town Council be requested to adopt some measure of this sort before commencing operations. You will of course understand that as I am responsible for the supply being sufficient, I wish to have ordinary precautions adopted at once, as being the only way in which to prevent waste, which in a badly-laid-on service represents far more than the consumption of water. A water service procured by pumping differs from one by simple gravitation in so much, that in the former case every gallon represents so much meney; in the latter case, provided the supply at the heal is large, ICO gallons cost no more than ten do. (Signed), fl. P. HIGGINSON, Consulting Engineer." From Mr Donkin, C. 8., running as follows: —" Enclosed is a specification for casting pipes, and detailed list of material required from England for the water supply. As I found on taking levels, that at the junction of Exeter and Oxford streets the rise from high water mark was only 151 ft, I have included Exeter street in the list of piping; although it must be that during the middle of a hot day when an extra quantity of water will be drawn off in the lower levels of the town, the water may not reach Exeter street, but in that case the

inhabitants will always be able in the morning to fill any any vessels they may have with sufficient water for the day. As I do not know the number of houses in Lyttelton, I cannot estimate the quantity of lead piping, bib cocks, ferules, &c, required for house services. Will you please inform me as to number of houses—B. Donkin, C.B. The specification was then read. From Mr W. H. Byes, clerk to the Bench, stating that March 28th would be a suitable day for the Resident Magistrate to hear appeals against the borough assessment. From Mr John Maurice Fitzgerald, offering to rent land at the corner of London and Oxford streets at from 15s to 16s per foot. Telegram from the Hon B. Richardson, stating that the town clock for Lyttelton was finished when last mail left, and would be shipped at end of January or beginning of February. The Mayor said the first thing to consider was the means to be taken to procure the necessary fittings for the water supply. Cr Allwright asked if Mr Donkin gave any estimate of the cost.

His Worship said that he could not do so, as he was not aware of the exact number of fittings required. Cr Hawkins said he thought the Council should only order the main pipes; by ordering the fittings they became their own plumbers. Cr Chalmers was of opinion that they would have to be their own plumbers. They must take care not to have too many people to look after the work, or it would be very costly. Cr F. Graham said it was a pity they had not the experience of others to guide them in this matter. If they had full accounts of how the work had been done in Wellington and Dunedin, they would be of great value. Cr Hawkins said the best plan would be to call for tenders, but this could only be done after a detailed specification was drawn out. He believed there were people in Dunedin who would undertake the whole matter, and relieve the Council of the responsibility. Cr Allwright was of opinion that the minutest details with regard to the plant required should be specified in any order sent or tender asked for. He was of opinion that they had better order direct from home and not pay a third party. Cr Cunningham laid that there were several things to consider before the order was sent or tenders called for. Had they decided about the reservoirs, and had they arranged about procuring the necessary funds? They might order through one of the banks, which was generally considered the cheapest method. One thing was certain, and that was that if they ordered directly from England, it would be cheaper than calling for tenders, as any firm in Dunedin or elsewhere would want at least 25 per cent profit. As to the question of the Council getting rid of the responsibility, he was sure that Cr Hawkins underrated his abilities, which had been well tested in the matter of the Lyttelton Gasworks. There was no doubt that if they tried they could muddle through the matter themselves, and thus gave the town great expense. Some months ago be had written to England with regard to the probable cost of the plant, he and Cr Hawkins having calculated the length of piping that would be required. He expected an answer by next mail, but he had arranged in sending the correspondence, that if necessary they could get a telegram from England of only five words giving the total cost. He thought that the Council's duty was simply to lay themains, not to cairy the water into private houses. Let the ratepayers do that themselves. As long as they had the opportunity of getting a supply from the adjacent mains, everything requisite was done, Cr Chalmers said the question first to be settled was, who was to be their engineer ; when that was arranged let the matter be put into his hands to prepare an estimate of the money required ; when this was ''one; it became the Council's duty to decide how the money was to be procured. Cr Cunningham moved—" That the Government be written to, asking if Mr Donkin would be allowed to act as engineer for the Council for the distribution of the water supply in Lyttelton." This was seconded by Cr Parsons, and carried.

Or Allwright moved—'* That the Council indent ior the plant required." He saw no reason ior calling for tenders, as it was evident it would be much more costly to do so, Ee did not see any difficulty in procuring the money. Surely their credit was good enough to procure £3OOO or £4OOO if necessary through the Bank. They might indent through the Bank, which seemed the most economical plan, and his Worship could easily ascertain if the Bank would be prepared to meet the Council's bill when the plant arrived. Cr Cunningham seconded the resolution, but did not agree as to the wisdom of Bending the order through a Bank, as in that case it would be simply forwarded to a broker, and they would have to pay more for it. When in Londoa he had noticed that there was a great difference in the charges of various houses, and the only way to get the order cheaply executed was to send it to ■ome person of known repute, who would undertake the task of getting it at the most reasonable rate;

Cr Parsons was of opinion that they should be very careful in this matter. He thought that by calling for tenders they would gather more information on the matter. He moved —" That tenders be called for."

After further discussion, in which it was pointed out that great delay had alreadyoccurred, Or Parsons withdrew his amendment, and the resolution was put and carried unanimously. Or Cunningham said that if the Council were willing he would get the goods out for them. He would write to a firm in London, Messrs Hill and Hartridge, and bring the plant out free of all commission. There should be no charges except freight. He knew Mr Hill would pay as much attention to it as any one could, and he was thoroughly skilled in the matter. Or F. Graham moved—" That Cr Cunningham's offer be accepted with thanks." Or H. Allwright seconded the resolution, which was carried.

In reply to a question from Or F. Graham, his Worship said that the whole revenue from the water would go to the town, except that required by the Government, With reference to Mr Fitzgerald's offer, the Mayor said the estates' committee had determined to lay the matter before the Council.

After discussion, Or Hawkins proposed—- " That the offer be accepted in the terms of the letter."

SMpndtd bj Or AUl»»'ght,[iß4 carried.

The report of the foreman of works was then read. It ran as follows :—" I beg to report that I have examined the drain in St David's street, and I estimate the cost of laying down a concrete channel 2ft wide, from Mr Child's corner to Mr Malcolmson's, at £33 13s, I find on enquiry, that a ladder made from the spar outside Council Chamber for the firebell erection, will be considerably less expensive than an iron one. I have permission to keep it at cost price; The whole erection, including ladder, will cost about £lB 75."

The foreman was authorised to keep the spar and make the ladder. With reference to the drain in St David's street, Cr Graham moved—" That if the inhabitants contribute one half, the drain be done at once," These works were necessary ones, and he thought they might anticipate the rate a little by incurring the expenditure. Cr Allwright moved—" That the drains in St David's street and Ticehurst road and bridle path be completed at once, subject to the inhabitants contributing one-third." Seconded by Cr Hawkins and carried. Cr Cunningham said he would contribute one-third towards the drain in the bridle path, and requested the foreman of works to commence the work as soon as possible. Accounts were passed amounting to £34 Os Id.

The appointment of a returning officer for the election of auditors, was left to the Mayor. Cr Allwright pointed out that it was necessary to provide for lighting the town with gas. He would move—" That the lamps should be fitted so that they could be lighted with gas wherever the gas mains passed the lamp." As this was not seconded, Cr Allwright moved—" That the lamps be lighted with kerosene." It had been so dark some nights lately that he, old resident as he was, had had difficulty in finding his way. Many people in the town had complained to him, so he thought it high time something was done. Seconded by Cr F. Graham.

Cr Cunningham moved, as an amendment —"That the lamps within reach of the gas mains be fitted for gas ; that five new lampposts be procured, and that three new lamps be purchased to replace some that were broken." He thought that gas must be got sooner or later. In a former estimate they had calculated that lights would be required for 300 nights per annum, but he understood now that the kerosene had only been used 150 nights. If that was the the cost would be very considerably less. The Gas Company wished to make no profit out of the town, and if they found after trial that it could be done for less than was estimated, the price could be reduced.

Cr Chalmers said that as there was a new moon there was no immediate necessity for action He proposed that the lighting committee be requested to bring up a new estimate next meeting, and that till then the matter be allowed to rest in abeyance. This was agreed to.

The Council then resolved itself into the Board of Health, and Dr Rouse reported that during the week there had only been one fresh case of scarletina, and that those who had been previously ill were all progressing favorably. Having again resolved themselves into the. Borough Council, the minutes were read and the meeting adjourned.