CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5347, 17 May 1878, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last night in the Council Chambers. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors 'Moss, Greenfield, George Allen, Dixon, J. Allan, Hunter, George, Logan, Diver, and T. K. Macdonald. The Mayor notified that the Waterworks contract was now completed. The Clerk laid on the table the rules and orders for the regulation of the Council, based on those of the Provincial Council. It was now resolved that a special meeting be held next Thursday for the consideration of the standing orders. —_ The Mayor mentioned that the honorarium to the city auditors had not been settled. It was proposed by Councillor George, and seconded by Councillor Greenbteld, —That the honorarium be fixed the same as before. It was resolved that a water rate should be struck as follows :—-5 per cent on houses having water, 2J per cent, on premises not having water, and 2J per cent, on all warehouses and stores. Mr. Scott wrote to the Council asking permission to erect a steam boiler on his premises in Courtenay-place. Mr. Baird reported that Mr, Scott had complied with all the necessary regulations. Councillor Macdonald thought that all manufacturers should be compelled to erect chimneys that would - consume their own smoke. Councillor Diver would like to know what position the Council would be placed in with regard to litigation should ih y grant U. " ixq . \Ybuid they be liable for an action ? He knew of one chimney close to his residence which was a very great nuisance. On the motion of Councillor Diver, seconded by Councillor Macdonald, it was agreed that the consideration of the application be postponed until next meeting. ’ The following tenders were accepted : Messrs. Lyon and Blair, for stationery ; -Mr. E. W. Mills, for iron piping ; Mr. J. Dooley, for metalling Tasman and Woolcombe streets.

PUBLIC WORKS. The Public Works Committee reported as follows : 1 The committee beg to report as under I/ Numerous applications having been made for permission to form new private streets, courts, and- alleys, the committee have conferred with the City Solicitor thereon, and have to recommend for adoption by the Council the following resolutions as the basis of regulations to be observed in the consideration of all suclvappncations, the regulations to be put in proper form by the City Solicitorlst. That every court or alley be at least 40ft wide. 2nd. That every such private street, court, or alley be formed, kerbed, and metalled to the satisfaction of the City Surveyor; or that the parties applying for permission as aforesaid shall cuter Into a sntheient. bond, with approved sureties, that such will be done within a certain fixed time. 3rd. That the parties applying for permission as aforesaid undertake that no buildings, now, or hereafter, shall bo built at less than 60 feet distance from, each other, or from other buildings measured perpendicularly across such court or alley. 4th. That the parties applying for permission as aforesaid enter into a further bona that, whenever it shall be necessary for dramage works to be executed for the drainage of the premises abutting on such private street, court, or ■■‘■alley, they will defray one-half or -the whole of the cost of such drainage works on ‘ completion by the Corporation. sth. That the parties applying as aforesaid shall further undertake to erect gates at the entrances of such private street; court, or alley whenever called upon to do so by the Corporation. y.Oth. that the necessary deeds and instruments for giving effect to the aforesaid conditions be drawn up and prepared by the City Solicitor at the sole cost and expense of the parties applying for permission as aforesaid, j-i.i The committee further recommend: —2. That Messrs. Kennedy Bros’, section at the Te Aro foreshore be leased at the same rate as the Corporation section has been previously leased to these gentlemen. viz., at the rate of £25 per annum, terminable at three months’ notice on either side.: - 3. That tenders be called for 5000 yards road metal, and for 100 casks cement, the latter to be delivers 1 in instalments within five months. 4, That permission be given to the Boating Club to have a gate on Custom Housequay, giving access to the boatsheds. 5. That- tenders for the furniture for the municipal chamber be called for, the specifications to be approved by the Mayor and Town Clerk. 6. That an extra lamp be erected in Fraser’s Lane, off Molesworth-street. 7. That accounts, amounting to £1609 9s. 7d., ho "passed for payment. . The report was carried, with the exception of sub-clauses 4 and ;s.' t • rr drainage op the city. - - J Mr. Clark, C.E., was in attendance, at the invitation of the Mayor, to afford any information Councillors might wish to obtain. Being called upon by the Mayor, q. , Mr. Clark said : " Gentlemen, the objeqt of our meeting here this evening is. in order to give me an opportunity of saying anything which may be found necessary in elucidation of the report which is before. you, and to answer any questions which you may think necessary to put. I may perhaps mention a circumstance connected with the enquiries which have been made upon the subject which has an important relation to it. ■ Upon the occasion of the former inquiry, your instructions were, I believe, that a scheme should be devised suitable for a population of 50,000, and to cost a certain sum of money, £BO,OOO. Upon this occasion, I am glad to say, nonsuch instructions were given, and you have as a result, after a careful inquiry, founded oh 5 the best information available, an unfettered opinion as to what is best to be done, and an estimate of the cost of the works. You may perhaps have observed in the report that I calculated that a population of 70,000 might assemble on the drainage area, and the cost of the works proposed may, with an estimate for the purchase of lands so added to the amount which appears in> the report, reach £150,000. It is perhaps not necessary for me to say much as to any difference in what is now proposed from that which you had before you.on a former occasion ; that is. I think sufficiently explained in the report itself. T may {perhaps mention with advantage" some facta in connection with the estimate, which will explain the very considerable increase of it over £BO,OOO. This is caused by the works proposed being of greater magnitude rather than of a more costly character. The work is not more expensive than upon the fojper occasion, in fact the principal item, the tunnel, is less expensive, inasmuch as it is placed some "22 feet or more above the level of the sea, ; whereas 1 the former tunnel was some 8 feet below high-water mark. Therefore there is 20 to 30 feet less of depth of shafts required, and the probability of water Being met with in the tunnel is very considerably less. : The length of sewers of the tnofeexpensive character, those of large size, is shorter in this scheme than in the previous one, Therefore the character of the work so far is t not more expensive than that in, the previous l report. I have- included some additional things; tor instance, there is a likelihood of nearly £BOOO being expended upon improvement of the surface drainage, and I do not think this appeared at all before.

Thera are about 1600 yards o£ 24-inch chstiron pipes, an expensive item, and an addition is made to the cost' of the pipe-sewers, inasmuch as I provide for their being laid either in puddle or upon concrete; I think that was not contemplated in the previous scheme,_but I consider it necessary for the efficiency of r the sewers. I believe Mr. Chime's schema comprised—speaking under correction—36 miles of conduits and channels of some form or other, whereas in this case the length is 52 miles, a very considerable increase. Therefore, when you are considering the amount of my estimate you must understand that it is for a work of greater magnitude. It is not; however, necessary that a large portion of . . this work should be immediately ' executed, and it is very probable that for some years a smaller length would suffice. . You must under any circumstances commence the larger' and more expensive works first, and carry out, the others as they become necessary. The Estimate has been made up in some considerable detail, and has been checked by your engineer, Mr. Baird, who has cordially assisted me very much indeed. Mr. Climie also has given me every information and assistance in his power. Before I left Christchurch Mr. Bell did the same; and I take this opportunity of thanking those gentlemen. I shall now be very glad indeed to answer any questions put to me. , The Mayor ; I should • like to ask Mr. Clark whether ho thinks it probable that " the engine and pumping gear can be made in the colony ? Mr. CLARK : I am not at all informed as to the capabilities of the colony, but what I would advise you upon this and any other matter in connection with your drainage is to have, the very best you possibly can. If the very best is to be procured in the colony, by all means have it ; but it not, by all means have it from England. Remember yon are not working- for one or two years only. The class of engine which I have recommended is one largely used in England, and the manufacturers : there have patterns of the engines; whereas these would have to be made, in the colonies. ' It is quite probable that engines of that character by first-rate‘makers In’ England would .bo obtained cheaper and -better there than they could be made in the colony. The Mayor : In reference to the way in which tenders should be called for, I have heard an opinion expressed that it would be better to invite them for the whole work. The cost of the earthenware pipes- would be a very heavy item, and there are other matters which, if you thought it advisable, could be put in separate contracts. .1 should like to know your opinion as to.whether it would be better

to include the pipes in the contract; for the ‘ wort, or to call for separate tenders >for hem ? Mr. Clark : I can only say, in reference to the pipes, I should recommend you to have the very best you can procure, and the best I have ever seen are certainly of English manufacture. X believe the material.is here, but there are not persons possessing the experience necessary to make pipes of shape, 'finish, and quality equal to English or Scotch, X saw at Christchurch a large quantity of Scotch pipes, which appeared to be cheaper than the English—certainly they were cheaper in the home list of prices, but the freight is higher from Glasgow thou from London. The pipes were exceedingly good, and X could not say one word against them. Those of many English makers are better than any I have seen made in the colony. Some pipes I have observed on the reclaimed land are the best I have noticed made in the colony, but they do not come up to the English, My estimate is formed after a careful consideration of the English prices and the cost of landing pipes here. You might possibly get them a little less, but I have calculated on what I know you could get them landed here for. It would be safer to have them from England, You should have the pipes examined in England before they are shipped, whether you bring them direct or let them in the contract for the whole work. I know from experience in India that if you get a cargo of pipes when the works are waiting for them you cannot be as particular as you would like to be, and you have to use them whether they are good or not, for you want to get on with the works. I should certainly recommend you to appoint some agent in England to see the pipes before they are shipped. If you go : ■ into the market yourselves you can select' any that you think proper, and that perhaps would be the safer course to pursue. The cost of the pipes in England is not more than the charges for bringing them out, and a little extra sum paid in getting the best would be very well spent, because it would cost as much to bring out indifferent pipes as good ones. The better plan would be to import the pipes yourselves. I would let the tunnel as a sepa-. rate job, and also the supplying of the engines. These are the things which you should take in hand first. I should let these contracts as early as possible, because they need not be kept back until the plans of the town are completed, and other things must. The Mator : Would the present water supply be sufficient to carry out your scheme ? Mr. Clark : I think the present supply is 324,000 gallons a day, and that will carry you on quite well, without any addition, for ’ those portions of the works which you will' put down at once. I have no doubt that before the whole drainage works are completed you will have augmented your water supply, for that evidently will be necessary. Ido not think you need on that account delay any portion of the drainage works. The Matob : During the last summer we ' ! very often had to cut off the water during a ' largo portion of the 24 hours. How would . that affect the proposed water-closets ? Mr. Clark : I apprehend that the water supply will be increased a long time before the ' water-closets are in any great number. You have certainly constructed a dam, but it has - not had a chance of getting filled. It is not • the use of water you have to fear, but its waste, and if you take such measures as - will prevent waste, you have got an abundance for your present require- i , ments. I may ask, is it your intention that * "Wellington should ever be deficient in water ? There is an abundance in the neighborhood, and if people are content to. pay the very . moderate price of fifteen pence per thousand - gallons, supplying the water would be a very good business, and I would recommend you to enter into it extensively. Councillor Diver : In your report you refer to a system of ventilation, would it not be better to adopt Stenhouse’s plan, so that the air might escape from the drains above the heads of the people instead of below. The -authorities say no traps at present in existence can prevent the escape of gas when there is., any considerable pressure ? Mr. Clark ; I hold very distinctly the view that if the sewers are properly laid down there, is no need of ventilation being provided so as to make the air escape above the heads of the people. The freer the ventilation the better, and if the sewage is kept constantly moving any nuisance from it would be as small as you would believe possible. I speak from a great deal of experience, and the authorities are with me, with the exception of Rawlinson,;who has a great opinion of charcoal baskets. I believe for a time charcoal destroys effluvia, but when it becomes charged with gas it prevents ventilation. Ido not think it is at all necessary to do anything more than let the air come to the surface. Councillor Diver : What number of gallons of water per head would be necessary for your plan of sewerage ? = "Mr. Clark: Ten or 12 gallons per day would be sufficient for domestic purposes, and 15 gallons per day would do all that is necessary, for the removal of excreta. Seine few years ago 28 or 30 gallons per head was sufficient ; but as the constant-service principle ■ has been adopted, and there have not been proper checks on waste, the quantity required i per head has gone up 80 or 100 gallons, but 50 gallons per head would be a very good and abundant supply. The Mayor : Can you give us any advice as to ventilating our present temporary drains ? -7.-Mr; Clark : I think there is very little in- ; formation about them, and Mr. Baird informed me that there was no plan of the ex- 1 •fating sewers ; he kindly made inquiries, and 1 , the result has been pat bn a plan. There is : .hot a very considerable length of them, and. ; some are 9-inoh pipes, and a good many timber 1 - sewers. It is impossible to say .what is the best thing to do with them unless you know ■ the condition, they are in. Without breaking - into them there is no means of ascertaining : " .whether they are half full of sediment or per- . 'fectly clear. I would recommend you to have . the 9-inch pipes examined, and I would have man-holes made so that yon might be able 'to ascertain what condition the pipe sewers were ■ in, and would have a means of cleansing ■ them if they required it. I think that is the first thing to do, and they will answer for the present drainage until something better is provided. At all events, they will answer to carry off storm-water hereafter. ,If 'there is any fcecal matter in a drain with which the house is directly con--jjected,-it would be decidedly improper. I ' Should recommend that those places 'be found . out, and the connection cut off. As to the ; wooden drains, ! would leave them so long as they hold together and are fit for use. Councillor Diver : The Council by not ’'‘objecting to them have countenanced the; use of a great number of water-closets in the city. A certain amount which comes up from the gratings may be attributed to the decomposi- ■ ‘ tion of foecular matter, or of animal and vegetable matter, not foeoular. Does your remark amount to cutting off these closets? I think it would be an in] tic ties to do so, because they , have been countenanced by the City Council, unless we can prove they are detrimental to ■ • the health of the people. There is no doubt that the present system of removing tocu- - ‘ lar matter by carts is most injurious and dangerous, for people take' no; means by throwing in dry earth to prevent the , risk of infection that must necessarily accrue. Would you suggest that these closets should he cut off and done away with? I am quite sure that with the present system of closets there is less chance of injury to the public • health than from the use of night-carts. Mr, Clark ; I do not mean that the - drainage should be cut off, but that it should ■ ho admitted in the way described in diagram No. 8, and that all pipes, excepting; that from ■ - the water-closet, should be cut off some inches •' above the surface of the ground. I would; recommend that the soil pipe from the closet - should be carried up in the way I have shown. ■ ■ Under whatever system of sewerage is adopted, people should be required to do that for their own protection. Certainly, under the circumstances you have described, I should not require people to be deprived of the use of their closets, but I should have the sewers examined, and cleaned when necessary. Councillor Allan thought it would bo well if a recent report from the Inspector of Nuisances were handed to Mr. Clark, so that he might examine it before expressing any - decided opinion as to cutting off these pipes or ■ allowing them to remain. ; The Mayor informed Mr. Clark that, pend- . .lug the adoption of a general system of drain-age,-the Council had determined that the pan system should be used. r,Mr. Clark said the pan system was better ■ than many of those used, for the pans were ‘more frequently cleansed than privies; bnt he would only recommend the introduction of the pan .system as a temporary measure. Councillor Allen thought the Inspector’s report on the present water-closets a very instructive one, and that it should be submitted to Mr. Clark, 1. The Mayor then thanked Mr, Clark for , hia attendance and for the information ho had given. ; The Council adjourned, J