More Water.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3615, 22 February 1906, Page 3

More Water.

(to editor of manawatu herald.)

Sir,“-In thanking you for inserting my last letter, I must beg of your indulgence, for another short space, on the important subject of a good water supply, both for fiie extinguishing and domestic use.

In my last I formulated a practicable and easy scheme for providing an ample supply of good water, through the most populous parts ot the township, for lire purposes alone, but I think

that while we are spending so much money on a scheme of water supply, that may possibly, and very probally, only be drawn upon at very long intervals, (the longer of course the better) it would be more sensible, and. very much more praplicale, to add a little more to the expenditure and

supply the much needed want, of a good supply of pure water to the inhabitants of the town ; as well as a store of water in case of fire. We could begin with the water for lire purposes, as we are sup< that, at a lit Lie more, Vxiaii the Cost of the main pipes, as Messrs Hickson and Reeves have very kin/ajy oitered to pump any quantity of river water into a reservoir, or two large wooden

tanks on the Ferry hill, free of charge, that is if a force pump were connected with the flaxufxill engine, by the Borough. The next question to consider is the size and the construction of the tank or tanks required. I

should advise two large wooden

tanks of about 3,000 gallons each, and if another one of the same size

at a lower level was Connected with them and containing artesian water (as I will presently show) that would give 9,000 gallons, to put out a fire with, but if . that quantity was not considered sufficient, more tanks could be added, or the others enlarged, but it is of no use. storing more water

than is likely to be required at one time, for the Manual Fire Engine pumping at the rate of 100 galls per minute can only pump 6,000 galls in one hour, and everyone that has seen a wooden house on

Are, knows full well, that if it is

not got the mastery of, in about twenty minutes, it may as well be

left to burn itself out, for all the good it is afterwards, as long as the adjoining premises are pre- ' Vented from catching fire. As I said, the most expensive item, in a complete water service is the Pipes, as it would be the

best to lay then permanently, as for a complete water service. For that purpose, a six inch pipe laid

through the township for one mile would cost about /joo, it should have half inch taps raised two

feet from the ground and fastened to the verandah posts at certain

intervals for the use of the public,

and at intervals of about 100 feet hydrants should be placed, for the purpose of screwing of the suction pipe of the fire engine. That of course would, compel a good and thoroughly serviceable water supply for lire purposes, but I should after the jeogriraiions had been carried so far, like to see an alternate servhv of artesian and river water ; that is, say from 7 o’clock in tlic morning to 7 o’clock

at night. Arlesian water could be let into the pipes, and from 7 at night to 7 in the morning the river water could How through the

town for the purpose of immediate fire extinguishing, and also to give those who recpiire a softer water for washing, than the artesian, a chance to collect a store of it in their washing tubs, and this could easily be done, by merely turning the stop cock off at one resereoir, and then turning the other

or artesian one, or visa versa as required, but should a fire occur in the day time, then turn the both waters into the pipes to give a lull supply, and I dare say that were a hose immediately screwed on the hydrant, there would be a sufficient force of water, to keep a fire in check, until the Fire Engine arrived upon the scene. Now that it is proposed to give the township an Electric Light, the engine could be used for an hour or so in the daytime, to pump the artesian water into the tanks, at a sufficient height, to allow the water to How through the pipes as I have explained above, and not only the Main Street, but the whole township could be supplied with an abundance of water, and the electric light and water supply schemes would become payable concerns, materially assist, to reduce the general rates. It will be remembered, that Mr Martin the steam well sinker, offered the Council, to put down an artesian well and guarantee a good flow of water for £ water no pay, but the offer w.’:- not taken advantage of, by the Omari!, perhaps on the score of the expense of pumping it to a hurher level, but now that i„ can beso very easily done, in con-

junction with the electric light plant, that excuse falls to the ground, but it would be necessary to decide upon the site of the artesian well, before any steps are taken to erect the plant of the electric light. Again I thank you for your leniency, and trust that now we are within a measurable distance of having something accomplished in Foxton.-—I am, etc., Aquarius.