A GRACEFUL RECOGNITION.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 114, 25 April 1868, Page 5

A GRACEFUL RECOGNITION.

TaE Nelson Waterworks were formally opened on the 16th instant, which was kept as a general holiday. The chief officials, accompanied by a few guests, and the representatives of the Press, proceeded in carriages provided for the purpose, to inspect the new reservoir and dam. On their return an exhibition of the fountain took place, and a trial by the Fire Brigade, after which the assemblage was addressed by his Honor Mr. Curtis, and a prayer was offered by the Bishop. The party were afterwards invited to a luncheon at the Provincial Hall. The toast of the Queen having been enthusiastically drank, Sir David Monro said he had a toast to propose, without which the proceedings of this auspicious day would be unfulfilled. The day was one which would be long i'emembered in Nelson, as having witnessed the completion of a work which would greatly increase the health, comfort, and safety, and add to the embellishment of our beautiful little city. He had to propose the health of his Honor the Superintendent. (Cheers.) No pei-son had done more than he in furthering this scheme. He was the first man who proposed the water question in the Council, and it was only right that we should drink a bumper to the health of his Honor, who had so energetically performed his duties. The toast was warmly drunk. The Superintendent, who was loudly cheered, returned thanks. He said he had taken great interest in the proceedings of the day, as he had all along felt a deep interest in the Waterworks. It was true, as Sir David Monro had said, that the first person who publicly introduced the question of water into the Council, was himself (Mr. Curtis) ; but the idea of the work was that of a gentleman who was well known to many, Mr. Fitzgibbon, the Civil Engineer. But really it was a matter of very little consequence who was the originator ; the great thing now was to make the best use of what we had got; and meanwhile, seeing the work that had been accomplished, he thought that this day was one ot the brightest we had ever seen in Nelson. (Applause.) Mr. Webb asked leave to supplement the remarks of his Honor as to the origination of the Waterworks, and to bi-ing back to his memory, and to that of some others, the fact that the notion of a water supply to Nelson from this quarter, was originally proposed by Mr. Norgrove, a gentleman now in Marlborough, and at the time a member of the Nelson Board of "Works. It was in 1858 or 1859 that the scheme was first mooted byAlr". Norgrove; and Mr. Alfred DobsotCtTTeffirsUpeTson “who “of this province, and who was afterwards engineer of Marlborough, drew up a plan of Mr. Norgrove’s scheme; and this plan was afterwards simply supplemented by Mr. Fitzgibbon. His Honor (Mr. Curtis) as a member for the city, was requested by the Board of Works to bring the matter before the Council; and this he did at the earliest opportunity. He (Mr. Webb) thought it was only right that the efforts of Mr. Norgrove should not be forgotten on this occasion, (Cheers.) Mr. Blackett, in returning thanks, said he congratulated them that a quiet community like Nelson, had been able to carry out such a work as the present —one calculated to increase the comfort and happiness of the fairest city of New Zealand, all of which he had visited.