THE WATERWORKS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1316, 25 June 1880, Page 2

THE WATERWORKS.

At the meeting of the Municipal Council last evening, the following report by Mr. H. P. Higginson," C.E., upon tho> Waterworks was read and received :

In accordance with your instructions I arrived in Oamaru on the 7th instant, and. upon the Bth, 9th, and 10th, I made a careful inspection of nearly the whole length of your water-race, for the purpose of furnish, ing you with an estimate of the cost of completing the work. I made careful notes of aIL works that in my opinion were still necessary in order'tb render the scheme complete, and' forward herewith a statement showing the amount so.arrived at.

I obtained from-your officers particulars of the amounts still due, or that will become due to contractors fpr works yet incomplete, also for.salaries and wages to the 10th inat. I. have then shown my estimated cost of completing those portions unlet, as well as such other, works as will still be necessary in order to render tlie scheme complete as fatas contemplated. - The amount is L 5.808 13s 4d, You will observe that there are also some items tliab 'I have not included,, which I am unablo to fill in, but which can be doue in your office. The cost of land and compensation it is impossible that T can estimate without much further research. Also, the oost of completing the' fencing, which I have not included, as I suppose that all that it >b intended to erect at present is now in hand and contracted for.

I have included all reasonable cost likely to be incurred in bringing the water into the town. ■

- I also consider that the whole work should be complete within six weeks ; but in order to ensure this result, tho cleaning out and completion of the race from 18 miles 20 chains to the end should be at once put in hand. A strong gang of men on day labor, directed by an inspector constantly with them, would be the quickest and most desirable manner in do this work, as much - time would, be lost" in letting it by coutraot. . •■. , I see no reason to doubt that the wOrkwill be finished within that time.

Although not asked specially to report upon the nature of the work generally, I may state that I consider that it has been thoroughly well carried out, and that it will prove an abundant and trustworthy supply.

Estimated Cost of Completing Works on June 10, 18S0. Amounts due to contractors on contracts not yet completed ... ...L4,225 13 .4 Salaries and wages duo on 10th June ... ... 208 Q 0 Estimated oost of completing ;the. unlet portions of the i_ -v work, , includipg extra ; | works, maintenance until date Of completion, and contingencies ... ... 1,375 0 0 Required to complete work in hand L 5,808 13 4 The following items are not included ; Salaries for six weeks Land and compensation Refund of contractors' deposits Cost of completing fencing throughout, The Engineer reported as follows : ; I have the honor to report with reference to the waterworks that tho whole works will be finished within the.next fivo or six weeks. The pipe-laying oontraots will bo completely finished by the end of next weolt. As we have now a considerable quantity of ; water in the reservoir, I purpose letting down [ a sufficient quantity and pressure tomorrow and Saturday to test tho pipes. On Flaherty's contract the water has been lot down as far as Hensley Swamp at the Big Hill, but further than that it is almost irn* possible to let it down in the moantiuio (without damaging private property, until we get to the Boundary Creek, Between tho tunnels and the reservoir three gangs of men, under the supervision of Mr Inspector Kirby, are finishing the race works,