WATER SUPPLY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5180, 29 October 1877, Page 3

WATER SUPPLY.

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS AT THORNDON. On Saturday eveuing a number of ratepayers and residents at the Thorndon end of the city met their representatives in the City Council, Messrs. Alien, Fisher, and Magiaity, at the Princess Hotel, to discuss the question of the insufficiency of thewater supply. There was a good attendance. Mr. Marks was voted to the chair, and explained the object of the meeting, and pointed out that it was one of very great interest to them all. The insufficiency of the water supply at the Thorndon end of the town had been demonstrated at the late fire, and although, it water had been procurable without delay on that occasion, it was not probable that the lives of those who perished would have been saved, yet much valuable property might have escaped destruction. Allowing that to be a secondary consideration, it was one to be taken into account, considering the heavy rates they had to pay and the prospect of increased taxation and a higher insurance. He thought there was great credit due to the representatives of the ward, who had so readily come forward in response to the invitation to meet the ratepayers of Thorndon on this occasion and discuss the matter with them, and he was sure whatever resolutions the meeting arrived at those gentlemen would, if possible, endeavor to carry out. He called upon Councillor Allen as the senior Councillor present to address the meeting. Councillor Allen said he came at the invitation of the ratepayers to discuss the question of why they had not a sufficient water supply. There was no doubt there was an insufficient flow to the higher levels, but he was assured by the Engineer that when the complete junction was effected by the tunnel between the large reservior and the distributing basin there would be ample supply of water for a town twice the size of Wellington, and this work, it was stated, would certainly be completed next month. In the meantime an additional supply to the low levels would be given by impounding the water in the Polhill Gully stream. This would be available in a few days, at first to the low levels only, but afterwards to the high levels also. There had been a delay in laying the pipes which arrived here some time ago, and it was only last Monday the work of laying them down was commenced. Mr. Marchant’s excuse for this was that he had not had time to clear out the tunnel before. Now, however, the work was being proceeded With as rapi dy as possible. He himself always studied economy in using the water, and not wasting it, but as there was a supply of forty gallons per night for every man, woman, and child of a population of 15,000, there ought to be sufficient for everybody. He deeply sympathised with the sufferers by the late fire, and regretted the terrible destruction of life and property on that occasion, and assured the meeting that he would do all he could to support their views on this question. Councillor Fisher, in the course of some remarks, said that he had to complain of the way he was reported, or rather not reported, in the New Zealand Times, which did not state what he said; and he supposed Mr. Hunter ordered his reporter to suppress it; at all events it did not appear in that journal, but what Mr. Hunter said did, and he considered this was very unfair. The Chairman said the speaker was somewhat wandering from the question, and Mr. Hunter was not present to reply to the remarks made. It would perhaps bo well if Councillor Fisher would confine himself to the question of water supply. Councillor Fisher proceeded to say that if there was water it certainly ought to bo laid on to the high levels at this end of the town at the hours stated; and if this were not done on Monday he would go to the office and lodge a complaint. Mr. Fownall said he considered the theory of the gauze netting stopping the pipes was a myth ; it was owing to the levels, and the natural resistance in the pipes. A gentleman present said it was now a quarter to nine o’clock, and there was no water, which was supposed to be laid on at eight o'clock. Councillor Maqinity said it was evident there was a defect in the water supply somewhere. He considered the pipes ought always to be kept charged, and the water impounded at Polhill Gully be always available. He believed there was a lot of people using water for machinery day and night, and there ought to be an inspector appointed to see that it was not wasted. He considered when the waterworks were completed they would be second to none in the colony, and when the two reservoirs were connected there would, he believed, be an ample supply to the town, even if there was not a drop of rain for six months. He assured them he would consider no time or trouble on his part too much if he could do anything to assist them in this or any other matter. Mr. Anderson pointed out that a large quantity of good water from springs on Rhodes Hill was daily running to waste, which might be made available at a small expense for this end of the town, and be very useful. Ho moved,—That in the opinion of this meeting, for the better protection of life and property, and for a better supply of pure water, the time has arrived when Thorndon should have an auxiliary reservoir of its own, and for this purpose the springs under the hill running to waste night and day be preserved ; and that our Councillors, Messrs. Allen, Fisher and'

Maginity, be respectfully requested to bring this matter Jbefore. the. Council, and to. urge its adoption without delay. : _ Mr. Nash seconded the motion. The Chairman observed that many mercantile firms used, a great deal of. water for lifts, and suggested that a reservoir should be constructed to hold salt water, which might be utilised for the purpose. Ho suggested that the matter should be brought under the notice of the Corporation. . Councillor Allen pointed out that this was of no use unless the salt water was pumped up to a sufficiently high level, and this would entail a greater cost than augmenting the fresh water supply. Mr. PowNALL and others pointed out the dangerous way in which the wreck of the late fire was left.' Pieces of zinc were flying ahoiU in the wind, which might hit somebody, and perhaps cause loss of life. Whose fault was this ? Councillor Allen said the fault was partly with the insurance company, who ought to remove it; but he also thought the Corporation Surveyor should have been instructed to inspect the place, and give notice that the wreck must be cleared away. It was also pointed out that it would bo desirable for some of the firemen to remain on the scene of the fire for twenty-four hours after the occurrence, as in this. instance the smouldering embers rekindled some hours after the fire was supposed to have been extinguished, and were put out by Mr. Cattell, Mr. Wilmer, Mr. Bright, and others with buckets. It was also pointed out that if the old fireengines had been available a supply of water might have been got from pumps and wells and from the stream near at hand, whilst waiting for an hour for a supply from the hydrants. Mr. Anderson’s motion was put and carried, and votes of thanks having been passed to Councillors Allen, Fisher, and Magiuity for their attendance, and to the Chairman, the meeting terminated.