WATER SCHEME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3747, 5 February 1907, Page 2

WATER SCHEME.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir.—-I should be obliged if you would allow me a few lines to correct an error in my last letter as I have very much over estimated the pipes. So much so, that the whole cost is now under In the item of 47 chains of 6-inch pipes, 6s 6d, I calculated the cost as one mile and seven chains, instead of half a mile and seven chains, thereby increasing the cost of the scheme by over a very good fault, as we can now either increase the distance or length of the pipes to three miles or increase the size of the pipes for part of the one and three-quarter miles proposed in my last letter; the latter alternative would, I think, be the best, as 1 have since heard that the Nelson Council has had a lot of trouble with their water and gas mains through their being too small in the first instance. I should therefore propose that the 47 chains of 6-inch pipes be increased to 8-inch pipes at a cost of and one mile of the one and three-quarter miles of the 4-inch pipes be increased to 6-inch pipes, at a cost of ,£306, making a total cost of the scheme with the larger pipes approximately under Mr Toms in his letter in your last issue corroborates what I said with regard to the impossibility of obtaining a sufficient force of water from the height of the surrounding hills for fire purposes ; and he advocates the Blenheim scheme for fire service, but in a previous letter I have fully shown that it was folly to spend on small pipes through the town, and a large stationary engine requiring always to be kept in perfect order for any emergency and then to wait two or three years for a fire, when we want the same money judiciously spent in a scheme that would give us good water for daily use and with quite as good and quicker fire service in an emergency, but that of course all depends upon the efficiency of the fire-engine, as water by this scheme we should have in plenty. In talking of water supply I have heard people say after a shower, “We do not want any water.’’ But that is not the whole question ; every one in the centre of the town should have it laid on whether they want it or not, so as to assist the scheme, thereby possibly preventing a great catastrophe. Only this week a telegram came to us that there was a large fire in one of the Australian townships, whereby the N.Z. Insurance Company lost and the reason they said was that there was no provision made for water for fire extinction, and I may say the same thing has lately occurred at Waitara. —Thanking you again for your leniency, I am, etc., Aquarius.

1 TO THE EDITOR] Sir, —My attention has been drawn to your remarks in Tuesday’s, January 29th, issue Kindly allow me to inform you had the council entertained (not committed itself to) the proposed scheme advanced by myself the company’s engineer would have visited and ascertained detail particulars so as to have defined the scheme for the council to go to the ratepayers for the purpose of raising the necessary loan.. For the approximate sum of a supplemental quantity of water equal to twenty thousand gallons per day could at, any time have been added to the scheme proposed. To secure the comprehensive scheme you recommend will at least cost .£30,000, and under present condition of your borough’s rateable values I cannot see how it can be carried into effect.—Yours etc., Edwin Toms. Palmerston N., 4.2.07.