OPENING OF THE WATERWORKS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 2 September 1880, Page 2

OPENING OF THE WATERWORKS.

The official opening of the waterworks, by turning on the water into the reservoir took place this afternoon. A finer day could not have been desired by the most fastidious. The sun shone out brightly and with pleasant warmth, and this alone was sufficient to tempt tradesmen to close their shops and seek a little relaxation and fresh air by paying a visit to the pleasantly situated reservoir. A large number of shop-keepers closed their premises promptly at noon in compliance with the request of the Mayor, and others followed their example at a later hour. About one o'clock the invited guests and a number of citizens started for the scene of the ceremony, some on horse-back, others by means of conveyances, and a large number on foot, the short distance of the reservoir tempting them to adopt the latter mode of locomotion, merely in order to stretch their legs. There was a large gathering on the ground, a number of ladies gracing the scene with their presence. Amongst those present were, of course, the Mayor and Councillors, the Hon H. J. Miller, M.L.C., Messrs. Sfirimski and Jones, M.H.li's., Mr. Steward, ex-Mayor, and most of the leading citizens. On Tuesday afternoon, the water first reached the sluice-gates at the reservoir, but it was not turned on. The water, as seen to-day, was slightly discolored owing to the newness of the clay cutting and the short time that it had been running along the race. In the course of a few days it will, we were told, be perfectly clear. As it was the color of the water formed the subject of many a small joke, but the Acting-Engineer demonstrated his confidence in the purity of the discolored beverage ty quaffing a bumper of it. At the time there was only a small head of water on,and the work of lettingon the full flow from the Waitaki will be very gradual. After a short delay, the ceremony of turning on the water was performed by Miss Gibbs, daughter of his Worship the Mayor, and duly christened with champagne. As the water and the contents of the broken bottle flowed on three cheers were given.

Some time was spent in examining the reservoir and partaking of refreshments. Then followed a large amount of speechifying, which was not concluded until 4 o'clock. The speakers were his Worship the Mayor, who detailed at length the many difficulties the Council had had to contend with in connection with the waterworks ; Messrs. Sumpter and Steward, ex-Mayors, who proposed and seconded respectively a vote of thanks to the members of Parliament from the district in both Houses for the very great assistance they had rendered in securing the passing of the Bills necessary to enable the Corporation to obtain the money required for the construction of the works ; and the Hon. H. J. Miller, M.L.C., and Messrs. Shrimski and Jones, M.H.lk's., who acknowledged the compliment, The whole of the speakera congratulated the citizens of Oamaru upon the completion of the works, and each spoke of the - great blessing that the water supply would be not only to the present residents of Oamaru, but to those of the fnture, The vote of thanks to the members having been carried with cheers, a similar compliment was paid to the Mayor and Corporation, and the proceedings terminated, A full report will appear in to-morrow's issue.