THE CITY WATER SUPPLY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5313, 5 April 1878, Page 2

THE CITY WATER SUPPLY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —With reference to the letter of “ Colonist” in your issue of this day, I beg to say that the main Kaiwarra stream, at a distance of about half a mile above Mr. Schultz’s milldam, would yield an average of upwards of 1,500,000 gallons of water per diem without storage, and that a very moderate expense only would be requisite for the erection of a dam which would enable the water to be used for the supply of all parts of Wellington not standing higher than 70 or 80 feet above the sea level. The catohwater basin which supplies the stream in question is nearly seven times as extensive as that which supplies the present' reservoirs. I believe myself that this stream would for many years to come supply all the needs of the lower parts of Wellington, including water for the extinction of fires, street watering, and a reasonable extent of machinery, whilst the present reservoirs could be reserved for the higher parts of the city. The expense of the necessary works would not be great, and would, I think, be well bestowed.—l am, &c,, W. Thos. Locke Travers. Wellington. April 4. P.S.—Of course, when I speak of the water supply from the main stream, I exclude the quantity diverted bv the present works. W. 'XV L. T. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES.

SIR, —While Mr. Clark is in Wellington investigating the question of the disposal of the sewage, would it not be as well also to seek his advice as to further operations, for the supply of water ? Water supply is Mr. Clark s speciality ; and to report upon the required works for Sydney was, I believe, what brought him to Australia.

At the same time, I suppose the matter of estimate here is very simple. If water is to be brought from the Upper Hutt it Is a question of so many miles of pipes. If the Council should decide to take the bull by the horns, and bring water from the sources of the Hutt at once, there would be not only an ample supply of water for domestic purposes but also for present and prospective exigencies. The water must be brought from that locality sooner or later, and it might be true economy to decide now upon this line of operations.—l am, &c.j