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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5738, 20 August 1879, Page 2

The question of the introduction of a new water supply, to replace the unwholesome and injurious compound which is now distributed through the city, will be submitted to the ratepayers to-day. It will be remembered that last summer the deathrate rose to an unprecedented height. During the first three months of 1879 no less than 84 infanta under one year old died, whereas in Dunedin —the number of infants in that city being about the same only 28 succumbed during the period. An evening contemporary, the “Post,’’ went to considerable trouble to obtain tbe opinions of all the medical men of the town as to the main cause of the high rate of mortality and the very prevalent, almost epidemic, sickness. The result of their labors was published in the form of a number of very full reports, in which almost every medical man in town attributed the unusual amount of disease to the bad quality of the water and the want of efficient drainage. There were, however, still a few laymen who asserted that in their opinion the water was not the cause; they said that the turbidity of the water was caused by harmless ingredients, such as clay and other

earthy matters. We therefore wrote privately to Dr. Hector, towards the end of March, urging him, in the public interest, to make a chemical analysis of the water. On April Bth he wrote to us, undertaking to do so. On May loth we published the result of his analysis, which was of so startling a nature that we extract the following passage from the analysis :

Waters for domestic use are classified as follows by the Board of Health, according to the percentage of oxygen which is thus required to purify them 1. Waters of great purity require from - 000 to "035 grains of oxygen per gallon. 2. Waters of medium purity require ’035 grains per gallon. 3. Waters of doubtful purity require 'IOO to •150 grains per gallon. 4. Impure water requires over *l5O grains per gallon. The following ;is the condition of the Wellington water in this respect on various dates Oxygen required per gallon. September, 1875—Reservoir, Polhill’s Gully .. '045 February, IS7G—Do do .. '930 March 1878—Service pipe, Museum .. .. "150 April 9, 1879—D0, before rain .. .. "220 April 29, 1879—D0, afterrain -28 April 29, 1879—Service pipe at high level (Mr. Travers’ house) .. .. .. .. -■ *3-3 Aprd 29. 1879—Upper reservoir "203 April 29, 1879—Lower reservoir -50 April 29, IS79—Government water supply .. 'l7B Jan., 1870—Well 54 feet deep in Sydney-street (Mr. Mantell’s) "938 According to this return it will be observed that the water supplied to the city has rapidly deteriorated in quality from a water of great natural purity to a very impure water. The worst water supplied to London quoted in the Board of Health return is "144 from the Lambeth Co.’s water supply in November, 1875, as compared with which the Wellington water at the present time is ©f 36 per cent, worse quality. ■

Comment upon such figures is quite superfluous ; we may remark that a month or six weeks ago an analysis recently taken, gave an almost equally bad result. We gather from the correspondence and the figures which have been placed before the public by those who have enquired into the subject, that the service which it is now proposed to establish between Wellington and the Wainuiomata stream would be ample for the supply of a city nearly ten times as large as Wellington. But it is necessary to bear in mind that this supply in excess of the present requirements is not in the least likely to bo wasted. Water delivered at a considerable pressure is a motive power of the first order, when the supply is constant and is not likely to be interfered with by frost; both of which conditions would be complied with in the present case. It is consequently a very saleable commodity, and there are a great many who believe that the £130,000 loan which is now asked for will shortly prove a remunerative investment, regarded simply in the light of a mercantile transaction. That, in fact, if a company were formed to-morrow to carry out the Wainuiomata scheme as now proposed, it would be likely to pay good dividends, and the shares would be very saleable. Our town councillors are agreed that the scheme is one which can, at the low prices now ruling for iron pipes, be carried out at a far more reasonable rate than the city could possibly have expected a couple of years ago. The credit of the city, as shown by the price realised by the £IOO,OOO loan is very good, and the supply of money in London is now very plentiful. All these considerations point to the fact that the loan is not only expedient, but also singularly opportune.

Tim rmrr.t>oi ~.m«» before the citizens at a time when the grave danger of an insufficient quantity of water being supplied to a wooden city has unfortunately been forcibly illustrated by a recent disastrous fire. Had such a conflagration occurred in dry weather in the summertime, nothing could have saved the whole of the southern end of the city. The danger has been shown to be so great that the insurance companies are even talking of raising the rates of premiums to be paid on fire risks. Even though the water were wholesome, instead of wellnigh poisonous ; even though it" were amply sufficient for domestic purposes, instead of being liable to fail at any moment during a month’s dry weather ; even though an increased supply were not necessary for an improved system of drainage ; —even though none of these reasons existed, we believe that, simply as a precaution against the ravages of fire the introduction of, and the expenditure on, the Wainuiomata supply would bo a wise and a prudent step. The ratepayers will do well to vote for the proposal.

The Returning Officer has fired the date of nominations for the representation of this citj for the first of September, and the polling for the sth September. The nominations for the Wellington Country Districts are fixed for the 3rd September, and the polling for the 9th September. For the Hutt District, the nominations are fixed for the 4th September, and the polling for the 11th September. A large number of Mr. Hunter’s Menfis and supporters met at the Exchange Buildings, Old Custom House-street, last erening. A general committee was formed, consisting of all those present, and the committee will meet again on Friday evening at the same place. Sub-committees were also formed for different portions of the city, and an active oanvass will be commenced forthwith. Mr. Hunter announced that, if his' ; health permitted, he would address a public meeting on Saturday evening. The meeting was an enthusiastic one, and those present were very sanguine of success. A meeting of the members of the Liberal Association was held last evening in the Foresters’ Hall, Tory-street, for the purpose of balloting for candidates to run for the representation of Wellington in the House of Representatives. About 140 persons were present,' and Mr. G. 'V. Shannon occupied the chair. After Mr. Marks had explained what action the deputation had taken in their interview with the various candidates, the report of the committee was adopted, the association thus accepting Mr. Hutchison as one of their candidates. The names put in the ballot were Messrs. Levin, Greenfield, and Anderson, ind the numbers as recorded were—Levin, 62 ; Anderson, 28 ; and Greenfield, 26. Seventeen people in the room did not vote at all, as was proved by that number of blanks coming in. A report of the proceedings appears in another part of this issue. The Public Works Committee of the City Council met yesterday afternoon, and decided te recommend that the powers of fire inspectors should be granted to the officers of the salvage corps; thattoafiord further employment in the city, another 1000 yards of boulders from the Hutt river should be broken up ; that Hunter and Stokes streets should be constructed by day labor, the men to receive 6s. per day ; that Majoribank-street be channelled and metalled ; that a lamp be erected at the corner of South-road and Adelaide-voad ; and that Mr. E. W. Mills be offered £IOO for the fire-hose recently imported by him. It was stated that temporary arrangements had been made for the deposit of night-soil upon Mr. Crawford’s property. In addition to the sitting of justices at the Athenmum Hall yesterday, Mr. Maustord, RM., sat at the Court room, Provincial Buildings, and decided the civil case, Mclntosh v. Pike, which was adjourned from the previous day. This was a claim for £B2 9s. 9d. for architect’s commission and work and labor done. Mr. Stafford appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Gordon Allan for defendant. The case resulted in a verdict for plaintiff for the sum of £l3 odd and costs. Two men, chained with being of unsound mind, were also brought before Mr. Mansford, and were committed to the Lunatic Asylum.

With reference to a telegram in last nighty Post , to the effect that the Maoris at the Parihaka meeting had remained behind construct earthworks, Mr. James Commissioner, informs us that he has had no official communication upon the subject. least evening Mr. Jackson addressed the electors of the Hutt district at the Odd Fellows’ Hal!, Lower Halt. There was a very good attendance, an 1 Mr. Jackson enunciated his policy at considerable length. He stated that he was not a Greyite, but that he was in favor of Liberal measures, and that he would support any Ministry who would carry them out in a practical aud not iu a theoretical form. His speech was listened to with great attention, and at its close a unanimous vote of confidence was pasj .o, to the effect that Mr. Jackson was a fit and proper person to represent the electors in Parliament. Mr. Mason also addressed the electors on the same evening at the school-room, Taita. There was a verv good attendance, notwithsanding the unpleasant state of the weather. Mr. Mason announced himself as a very pronounced anti-Greyite, and spoke at considerable length. At the close of his address a vote of thanks was moved and carried unanimously.

Tho usual weekly meeting of the Benevolent Institution was held last evening at the Provincial Buildings. Present—Mr. J. G. Holdaworth (chairman), the Yen. Archdeacons Stock and Thorpe, Rev. Messrs. R. Coffey and W. J. Williams," aud Messrs. J. Woodward, L. Levy, B. Smith, C. P. Powles, J. E. Smith, and the secretary. There was a considerable quantity of business before the meeting, and a large number of applications for relief were granted. A subscription ©f five guineas was received from his Honor Judge Richmond, and a few more handsome donations of the same description would be very acceptable at the present time, as the institution has a very large quantity of distress to cope with.

Mr. Greenfield will address the electors at the Adelaide-road Theatre this evening at eight o’clock. A special tram will leave the Government Buildings for Adelaide-road at a quarter-past seven, aud will return to the city immediately after the meeting. Mr. George Fisher announces that he intends to seek re-election at the forthcoming municipal contest, as representative for Thorndon Ward.

There are a good many working men out of employment just now in the city. The chairman of the Benevolent Society, Mr. J. G. Holdsworth, instructed Mr. A. Johnson, the secretary, to write to the contractors for the Featherston-Masterto n Railway, or that portion of it which is being constructed at the present time, to see whether employment could not be given to some of those who are out of work in Wellington. Mr. Johnson rSceived a reply from Mr. Hailes, the engineer, stating that he had sufficient hands, and that he had besides received a large number of applications from men who wished to get work on the contract. It is to be hoped that this state of things will not long continue, and that as the spring is now fast approaching there will soon be a demand for all the surplus labor in the market.

An adjourned special meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday evening, for the further consideration of the proposed building regulations, as published iu the Evening Chronicle of 29 th July. Reuter’s Telegraphic Agency Company have arranged with the Merchant Shipping Association for all New Zealand shipping intelligence, hitherto sent to the Press Agency, and will wire it iu the usual way. The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council will take place to-morrow evening, when the reports from the Steam Fire Engine Committee, Finance, Wharf, Waterworks, Drainage, Hospital and Charitable Aid, and Public Works Committees, will be considered; and also the proposed subdivision of the Market Hall reserve. Councillor Fisher will move, —That the schedule of cab farss be so altered as to permit hansom cabs to charge one shilling for the ordinary sixpenny fare within the defined boundary.

Our contemporary, the Manawatu Herald , in its issue of yesterday, makes the following sensible remarks concerning the election for Manawatu :—“lt is scarcely necessary to remind our readers of Mr. Walter Johnston’s meeting at the Public Hall to-night. We hope to see the building crowded by a hearty and unanimous assemblage. For nearly ten years Mr. Johnston has held the responsible position of representative or Manawatu. lOui-in;-that time the district has progressed to a marvellous extent, and has far surpassed its neighbor Rangitikei. To Mr. Johnston, as our representative, must bo accorded at least some of tbe credit for the progress. Although resident at Wellington, he has at all times proved himself earnestly desirous of promoting the best interests of the district, and when any deputation needed his presence and influence he has on every occasion been willing to join ; whilst times without number, he has rendered most valuable service in pressing matters upon the attention of the Government. Certainly Mr. Johnston has not paid constant visits to the district ; but why 1 Simply because he felt if he came into it at all, he would be beseiged with persons anxious to push their part of the district ahead at the expense of the remainder. A representative, to be useful, must be above local inflenoes, and Mr. Johnston doubtless felt that if he came here at all, he would plunge into the midst of these petty squabbles. Now that he stands before the constituency he comes forward bound to no section of it, but willing and anxious to do his best for all. We therefore urge the electors of Foxton, Moutoa, and Carnarvon to gather en masse at to-night’s meeting, and strengthen his hands by a unanimous vote of the fullest confidence and a pledge of support. The moral effect of this upon the northern district will be great. It will show our fellow-settlers there that we are prepared to leave out the local difference on the railway, and select a gentleman of known ability and standing, a gentleman who is thoroughly impartial, and one who will be a credit to the constituency.”

We are pleased to learn from recent Home papers that two former pupils of the Wellington College, now at Cambridge, are well maintaining their own reputation, and that of their old school. Mr. C. S. Brandon, of Trinity Hall, though only in his second term of residence, has passed the previous examination with great credit, obtaining a first class in mathematics, and a second in classics, having passed also in the extra subjects required of candidates for honors ; while Mr. W. Barton has obtained a foundation scholarship at St. John’s College, which, next to a University scholarship, is one of the most valuable distinctions open to undergraduates. Nor is it only in the way of scholarships that these gentlemen have distinguished themselves, as they have each been rowing in their College boat, the Johnian boat being second on the river, ’and the Trinity Hall boat sixth, thus showing that both in brains and muscle the youth of New Zealand are well able to hold their own.

An Inquest was held at the Victoria Hotel, Abel Smith-street, yesterday, before Dr. Johnston, coroner, upon the body of Mrs. Chilcott, who died suddenly at her residence, Abel Smith-street, under circumstances as narrated in our yesterday’s issue. Two medical gentlemen were examined, and the jury found that deceased died from disease of the heart. Mr. King, in his report to the Wairarapa West County Council last week stated that he had examined the ferries in the Forty Mile Bush, and inquired into certain statements made with reference to the natives levying “black mail,” and was confident they were untruthful.

Mr. Snelson, one of the candidates for the Mauawatu district, addressed a meeting at Foxton on Monday evening. He stated that be stood on the Liberal platform—not that Liberalism which was being hawked about the country as clap-trap, but that which would tend to the progress of the country. He accepted the programme contained in the Governor’s speech, viz., triennial Parliaments, extension of the suffrage, and readjustment of the representation. These great questions had been taken up by all parties, and whoever best carried them out, and administered the Government in the ablest manner, would have his support. Upon the motion of Mr. Gray, seconded by Mr. Perreau, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Snelson for his “short but pithy speech.” There was a good attendance at the Theatre Royal last night to witness the second performance of the new play, “ A Celebrated Case,” which passed off very successfully, and was much appreciated. This evening “ Pygmalion and Galatea ” is announced. Hudson’s Surprise Party drew a large number of people to the Academy of Music last night, when the same programme was submitted, to the entire satisfaction of the audience. An entire change of entertainment is announced for to-night, when some magicians will appear, and will expose several well-known tricks, amongst others the famous bird-cage one.

A gentleman, well known in Wellington and Wanganui, arrived here from the latter place last evening. He states that the report telegraphed through the Press Association with reference to Sir William Pox's meetings, were gross exaggerations, and from his knowledge of Wanganui, and the feeling of the electors there, ha is quite prepared to give considerable odds against the return of Mr. Ballance. There was a large number of persons at the meeting who did nut vote for either the motion or the amendment.

Considerable amusement was occasioned at the R.M. Court yesterday, when an assault case, in which a Maori was plaintiff, was called on. Two men named Alexander and Stephen Geary were charged by the Maori, Hori Ngapaka, with having assaulted him, but the defendants represented to Mr. James, the Clerk of the Court, that they were the wrong men, having been summoned by mistake. Mr. James asked the plaintiff in Maori if this was so, but he was unable to comprehend the reply, which was given in a voluble manner, accompanied with angry gesticulations with an umbrella. As there was no interpreter present, a young half-caste woman in the body of the hall was called up to put the question again to the excited Maori. She did so, when the dusky and much-tattooed plaintiff again broke out in loud and angry declamation, his umbrella meanwhile being flourished iu an alarming manner. Upon the female interpreter being asked the reason of the man’s demonstrations, she replied that he was saying he did not like her. The Bench thereupon adjourned the case to secure the services of an interpreter, for it was impo >sibls to get complainant iu his excited state to listen to any questions, much less to give an intelligible answer to them. Tenders will be received up to the 25th inst. by the Benevolent Institution for the supply of charitable aid rations, for a period of nine months, commencing from the Ist September next. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns. Mr. Mason will address the electors at the Lower Hutt this evening, at half-past seven o’clock.

Mr. Izard will expound his views at Pahau] tanui this evening, at eight o’clock.

A man named Josiah McClure was arrested yesterday afterdoon for indecent exposure in Wingfleld-street. He will be brought before the Bench this morning. Mr. James Mackay, Native Commissioner, has received an influential telegram from Cambridge, inviting him to stand for the Waikato. Mr. Mackay has not yet replied to the invitation.