The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1868. OPENING OF THE WATERWORKS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 90, 17 April 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1868. OPENING OF THE WATERWORKS.

As we stated in our last issue, the inauguration of this great public work took place yesterday, the Superintendent, accompanied by a considerable number of officials, havingleft the Government Buildings in carriages about half-past eleven o'clock, for the Dam and Reservoir, in Brook Street Valley. There the dam was first examined, and the well into which the water fiuds its way before it arrives at the reservoir, was emptied and refilled. At the Reservoir a large number of perrons were assembled, on foot and mounted, not only from Nelson, but also from Stoke and Richmond, and flags and ferns tastefully displayed added still further to the picturesque character of the scene. The screw was turned, and the water was admitted into the reservoir ; then the process of scouring it was exhibited by the Provincial Engineer, and then his Honor the Superintendent, opening the valve on the main pipe, officially declared the Waterworks to be opened, which announcement was followed by cheering.

The party then returned to town, where they were joined by the Fire Brigade, who, headed by the Volunteer Band, marched to the various points of the city indicated in the programme, where the action of the fire-plags was exhibited.

On the return of the procession to the Government Buildings, where a very numerous concourse of spectators had assembled, four jets were played at the ■opposite corners of the buildings, the water being thrown completely over them, and this portion of the proceedings was concluded at the fishponds, by letting on the "water to the fountain in the centre one. 'Over this arches of evergreens had been tkrowo, surmounted at the corners by tree ferns, and flags, the whole presenting a most tasteful appearance, and reminding us in form of one of the old market crosses of the 15th century, several specimens of which still exist in the old country. The fountain, though hardly suggestive of the 'Grands Eaux' of Versailles or Chatsworth, is sufficiently indicative of the facility by which future improvements in our ornamental waterworks may be introduced.

The assemblage then congregated in front of the Provincial Hall, -where, on a (fias erected for the purpose, the Superintendent, took up his position surrounded by his Executive &c. His Honor commenced by congratulating the people of Nelson on the final and successful completion of the great work which had been that day inaugurated, which he characterised as by far the most important yet executed in this province. He then passed a high eulogium on the Provincial Engineer, to whom was attributable the entire success of the undertaking, during the progress of which there had been no check or failure of any kind. Thanks, too, to the accuracy of Mr Blackett's calculations, the cost of the work had not exceeded the estimate, which was a very rare case- indeed. He only regretted that the work had not been completed two years ago, at least, for then the properly which had been destroyed during the last eighteen months would have been saved, and this saving would have paid the cost of the Waterworks three times over. The inhabitants of the city could not thereby reap the full benefit of the reduction in the rates of insurance which the works

would otherwise have produced, but still a large rise in these rates would be prevented. The water rates were, it is true, pretty heavy, but the boon must be paid for. The assessment had been made very carefully, and it was creditable to the gentleman who made it, that only two appeals had been lodged against it. He admitted there were certain hardships connected with the water rate, but it was impossible to levy a tax which was not complained against, and if any sound reason could be alleged for any amendments, the Government and, he believed he might also add, the Council, would be happy to make them. His Honor then alluded to the large employment of labor given by this work, and expressed a hope that other public works would soon be undertaken, which would furnish further employment. He then called upon the Right Rev. Bishop Suter to read a prayer 'which he had composed for the occasion, and at its conclusion a hymn, al so composed by his Lordship, was sung. The Superintendent then called for three cheers for Mr Blackett, which were given most heartily, as were also cheers for the Superintendent, and for the Bishop, tho latter called for by Captain Levy, and on the Bishop's invitation, three vociferous cheers were given for tne Queen, the Band, playing ' God save the Queen ' and the whole multitude uncovering. THE LUNCHEON. Immediately the strains of the National Anthem had ceased, his Honor the Superintendent led the way into the Provincial Hall, followed by those guests who had received invitations to the luncheon, and took his place at the centre of the cross table, supported on his right by the Right Rev. Bishop Suter, and on his left by Sir David Monro, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Around his Honor, and seated at the two long tables which reached the whole leugth of the Hall, were the Speaker of the Provincial Council, the Resident Magistrate, the members of the Executive, the Hons. Major Morse, M.L.C., and Dr. Renwick, M.L.C., Messrs Wells, M.H.R. aud Collins, M.H.R., the Provincial Engineer, the Chief Surveyor, the Collector of Customs, the Provincial Auditor, the Commissioner of Lands, and the following members of the Provincial Council : — Messrs Kiugdon, A. Pitt, R. Burn, H. Beitt, Wastney, Bentley, Akersten, Thompson, and Dreyer, the Sheriff, the Coroner, the Government Medical Officer, the heads of the several Government Departments, the Inspector of Schools, the Incurator of Intestate Estates, the Rev. the Head Master of Nelson College, the Revs. W. Ewald, J. Thorpe, J. Crump, and E. Thomas, the Governor of the Gaol, the Officers of the Artillery, and No. 1 Rifles, and of the Rifle and Artillery Cadets, the Marine Engineer Surveyor, the members and Secretary of the Board of Works, the Captain andjnembers of the Nelson Fire Brigade, the Provincial Engineer's Staff, the representatives of the three local journals, aud the following especially invited guests : — Messrs Huddleston, Seymour,. Wrigg, C.E., and Alex. Kerr. It will be seen from the foregoing list, which, we believe comprises all who were present on the occasion, that, with the exception of the four gentlemen last mentioned, all present were officially connected with the Government.

Both galleries were filled with ladies, the Volunteer Band, under the leadership of Mr L. Draeger, being stationed in that at the east end of the Hall, where their spirited music contributed in no trifling degree to enliven the proceedings. The tables were_ both elegantly and profusely supplied, jmSS did great credit to the purveyor, Mr Gother, all the other arrangements being equally satisfactory. The repast being concluded,

His Honor the Superintendent rose, and said that although they were not met together to make speeches, hut simply to partake of refreshment, still there was one toast which he was certain they would not willingly omit on that day, and would drink with the greatest enthusiasm — the health of her most gracious Majesty the Queen (loud cheers). In drinking her Majesty's health in these colonies it was usual to give expression not only to feelings of loyalty but of attachment to the Throne, and he was sure that they would agree with him that such a demonstration was most appropriate at the present moment. Her Majesty's health was drunk with all the honors, the band playing the National Anthem, which, in obedience to a call, was alterwards sung by all the guests in chorus.

Sir David Monro then rose, amidst loud cheers, and said that he had obtained the permission of the Superintendent to propose another toast, though against his will, for his Honor had set his face against speeches that day, and in so doing had shown his good taste. He, however, had broken through his rule in favor of her Majesty's healthy and all would have felt its omission un-

warrantable. But there was yet another toast, the health of his Honor the Superintendent, without which the day's proceedings would have been incomplete. That day would long be remembered in Nelson, and the work which had now been brought to a conclusion was one which would add most materially to the comfort, safety, and adornment of their beautiful little city. There were many others, probably, who had been actively engaged in promoting that work, but his honorable friend the Superintendent was the first who had publicly advocated it. and it was only fit and just that they should drink a bumper not only in recognition of his past efforts to secure it, but also of the manner in which he had carried out the arduous duties which had devolved upon him that day. The toast was drank with the greatest enthusiasm, followed by ' He's a jolly good fellow.' The Superintendent tendered his most cordial thanks for the way in which his health had been received ; he had always taken a great interest in the work which they had inaugurated that day, and he had looked forward anxiously to its completion for some time past. Although, as his friend Sir David Monro had stated, he had first introduced the project to the Provincial Council, he believed that the original idea emanated from Mr Fitzgibbon. It mattered little, however, who had originated the idea, the great matter was to make the best use of what they had got, and that day, as being the date of its realization, was one of the brightest in the annals of Nelson. His Honor concluded by again expressing his thanks for the honor paid him, and sat down amidst hearty cheers. Mr Joseph Webb made some remarks which were quite inaudible to the majority of those present. The Speaker of the Provincial Council said, that although they were all doubtless much indebted to the Executive find Provincial Council for aiding the work, it could not have been carried out without an efficient engineer. Mr Blackett had been long known amongst them, aud his skill and engineering resources had been thoroughly tested and appreciated, but never so much as on the present occasion, and he would therefore call upon them to drink his health in a bumper. The toast was given with all the honors. The Provincial Engineer, who was received with the most enthusiastic and prolonged applause, said that, after what had fallen from the Superintendent, he might be spared a lengthy reply, lie thanked them most cordially for the flattering manner in which they had drank his health, and he need not tel! them that the present occasion was one on which he felt the greatest satisfaction, both on public and private grounds. On public, that a small community like Nelson had achieved a work of such proportions, which was calculated to promote the domestic comfort and health of what he was justified in styling — the fairest city in New Zealand. There was an old saying that ' Cleanliness was next to godliness,' and they had now an opportunity of realising and verifying it, for the watersuppiy would most materially aid the health of the community. On private grounds he regarded the event with satisfaction, as being a citizen of that community, and as being the individual selected to carry it out, and also because no accidents had occurred during the whole time it was in progress. After again expressing his thanks for the cordial reception given to him, Mr Blackett said that he should show himself most ungrateful, if he did not advert to the services rendered by Messrs, Handyside, Mirfin, and Moss, who had most cheerfully and ably seconded his exertions, and in conclusion he begged leave to propose the health of those three gentlemen, which were drank amidst the loudest applause, each of them respectively returning thanks. '

Shortly before this stage of the proceedings, the Artillery Company had fired a salute in the grounds of the Government Buildings, and the Resident Magistrate thereupon took occasion to propose the health of Captain Pitt, and the Artillery Company, which was received very warmly and appropriately acknowledged by that ofßcer. Mr Luckie then pr<tpo?ed the health of the Right Reverend Bishop Sutei- and the clergy of all denominations, acknowledging the readiness which his Lordship had evinced in taking part in the proceedings of the day.

The toast was received most enthusiastically and was followed by a song by Mr Merrington, ' the Fine Old English Gentleman.'

The Bishop expressed his thanks on behalf of himself and the clergy who had been invited on the occasion, for the cordial manner in which his health had been received, and alluded approvingly to the calmness and cheerfulness with which the people of Nelson had conducted themselves that day. His Lordship then said that he was at a loss to discover how the song could be considered to be appropriate to the toast of his health unless it was intended to allude to the readiness with which he believed that ministers of all denominations came forward on all occasions on which their services were required. He then adverted to the kindness with which he and his clergy bad been received in Nelson, and expressed a hope that as they had been placed in a most important position, they would be found to have fulfilled their responsibilitiss.

The Provincial Secretary called upon the company to drink the health of a body of men who had taken a very active part in the proceedings of the day and whom he thanked on the part of the Government for their attendance there to-day, lie then proposed the health of the Fire Brigade, which was given with three times three.

Mr Knight, Captain of the Brigade, returned thanks, acknowledging the liberality displayed by the Government towards that body, and expressing his opinion that the time had arrived when steps should be taken to put the Brigade on a permanent footing (hear, hear.) This concluded the proceedings, and the party then separated. We may add that the number of guests amounted to 120.