THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1881. THE PROPOSED WATER SUPPLY SCHEME.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2277, 20 July 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1881. THE PROPOSED WATER SUPPLY SCHEME.

Amm a very long interval of time the ratepayers have once more before them the proposal to supply the cityjof Christchurch with an improved means of fire extinction and flushing the side channels. The history of the movement for an alteration in our present system is so well known as not to require any comment beyond just a remark upon the origin of it. The promoter of it was, as our readers are aware, Mr. Superintendent Harris, whose practical experience of the deficient nature of the present water supply for fire extinction purposes, especially outside a certain area, led him to urge most strongly the advisableness of securing some better method. Contrary to the often expressed public opinion on the subject, the then committee wasted not only money hut valuable time in making experiments at the Waimakariri. As we pointed out in a series of articles at the time, supposing they had found —as at one time it was claimed they had—a copious supply of good water, the distance it had to be brought before it reached the city quite put it out of our power to utilise. The peculiar part of the whole matter was that the committee overlooked, or made hut alight reference to, the fact that in the Avon we had a supply fully adequate to the present necessities of the city, viz., for fire prevention and household purposes, except drinking. Had the scheme which is now before the public been brought up at the time the matter ws s under consideration, we feel sure that at this day Christchurch would have been in possession of a service fully equal to the requirements for fire or flushing purposes. We do not agree with the committee as to the depression having anything to do with the rejection of the last scheme. Its magnitude and uncertainty of supply, even with costly works provided, ensured its rejection. The committee now come before the citizens with a modified scheme, which appears to have been carefully thought out in the details. It is proposed to utilise the Avon by means of turbines, and then send the water through a service of pipes over a certain stated area. So far as we follow the portions of the city in which it is proposed to lay down pipes, they will, if the force expected be obtainable, cover through the hydrants parts which are thickly populated, but which now are entirely cut off from any means of fire prevention except such meagre supply as can be obtained from the artesian wells. This would enable the tanks, Ac.. of which the committee appear to have so great a horror, to be dispensed with. It may be remarked that it is all very well for the committee to say they are at issue with those who recommend tanks, wells, Ac,, but they must remember that these were advocated purely and simply as a temporary measure. A large portion of the city, from its situation, is isolated alike from the river and the existing tanks. Until, therefore, a water supply of some kind is arranged for are we to allow the residents in these parts to run the groat risk they do ? We say not, and, as much opposed as the committee could wish to the substitution of tanks as a “ permanent” measure for a supply, still we advocate them as a temporary substitute until the supply is obtained. The cost of the scheme, as set forth by the committee, is in gross £ 13,140, and the rateable value of the area, which the proposed scheme will cover amounts to £86,00#. The yearly cost is estimated at £1545, and the probable receipts at £IOSO, leaving but a small deficiency to bo met by the rate. But it must be remembered, as justly observed by the committee, that two very important items of saving to the pockets of the ratepayers will be effected. The first and largest of these is a reduction of the enormous and oppressive rate of fire insurance. By a combination, perfectly legitimate in trade, the companies are enabled to keep the rate of premium in Christchurch up to what cannot but be considered a most exorbitant rate. While this is so, the fire statistics of the colony will prove that there has been less loss in Christchurch during the past three or four years than in any other city in the colony. In considering, therefore, the adoption or rejection of the scheme now proposed by the committee tha

citizens will have to keep this in mind, because it is an item which, though highly important, is not able to be brought into a debtor and creditor account. The next saving is that in connection with side channel flashing. As our readers are doubtless aware, there are parts of the city in which, during the summer season, the side channels have to be flushed by means of water carts. This method, whilst exceedingly inefficient, is also expensive, causing extra carts and hands to be employed. The scheme, as now proposed, will do away with the necessity of this, and thus a saving will also be effected in this respect. It seems to us, from a careful consideration of the report of the committee that, always supposing the force of the supply obtained to bo equal to the demand made upon the pressure at the time of fire, the scheme is one worthy of adoption. The supply is practically inexhaustible, and at our doors, requiring no expensive system to bring it here before entering the pipes. The cost, as shown by the financial statement, is not largo. Indeed, the committee point out that by the reduction of tire insurance premiums there would be an actual saving to the ratepayers. Even were it not so, the rate of proposed would bo comparatively insignificant when compared with the advantages to be derived from the scheme We trust, therefore, that the citizens will agree to the scheme as now proposed .by the committee.