NEW STREET SPRINKLER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 40

NEW STREET SPRINKLER.

A> T EVENTFUL TRIAL. (From Oub Owx Correspondent )

CHRISTCHURCH. February 5. The City Council some time ago entered lto an arrangement with the Tramway ■oard to assist in watering the thoroughires in the city and" suburbs where tracks re laid, it being the intention of the arporation to continue its present system watering (winch co^ts something like

800 per annum), and to pay the Tram-

•ay Board an additional £1500 per annum ror the benefit of its service. A satisfactory trial of the board' 3 new American sprinklers was made this morning. The machine (which weighs 35 tons when loaded) haa a capacity of 5000 gallons, and will sprinkle up to three miles of track and roadway. The pressure is obtained by means of compressed air at a pressure of 801b to the square inc-h. The stream may be directed so as to water the car track alone or from the centre of the rails to the building line on either side of the street. When a full head is turned on the water is piojected outwards in a fan-shaped wall about Bft high. The idea is that the two la-rge springlere shall traverse the Central Ward early every morning, not only thoroughly ivatering and cleansing the roads, but washing down the footpaths an-d watertables as well. Sprinkling will also be carried out at interval:, during the day, enabling the -»atei- carts to go very much further afield than now is possible. The trial , thi6 morning was witnessed by the chairman and several members of the Tramway Board, the Mayor, and some city councillors. The large American sprinkler ■was despatched along the Riccarton line. The aparatus manipulated by the engineer was brought into action near the Royal Hotel, and a splendid sheet of water was projected across the roadway On returning to Cathedral Square it was decided to test the larger appliance on the busy parts of the city, and for that purpose a •un out to Fitzgerald avenue ajyi back was arranged. Mr Scott Symington manipulated the jet on one side and his Worship the Mayor that on the other side. On starting, the valve under Mr Symington's control was opened too quickly, and a tevy of citizens received an unexpected douche. At a street corner a similar episode occurred, whereat there was much snaking of fists and wagging of angry heads. The journey along High street was pursued with varying fortunes. Ever and nnon an unsuspecting cyclist would dash into the zone of water, only to diajnount ruefully and with rapidly-movinp-lips. The aversion to cold water manifested by everyone was 6addeninp to behold. O-i Hie return from Fitzgerald avenue the -sprinkler was switched on to the Cashmere Hills line. and it was during a brief. pxcitinor iaunt into the fastnesses of Sydenham that the Mayor most markedly distinguished bim.=<>lf. Matters pronrrcs o ed swimmingly in >?\prv sen^o of t}i<» term. XJnaccu^'■oi'ied to the mcf haiu-ni entrusted to his charpe. the llj\f n'oi^cted a M'lies of \elup;es at scores of M',cken foot pas«on ""■erg, and, looking a> he was ->an r r<vued

by ft rista of apprehensive individuals, either scuriying for tho npaio^t co\e) or crouching: m the poor piotection of shop doorwa\*-. The stocks at se\eral premises displays ed on tihe footpaths were considerably watered as an indication of the evifetenoe of a by-law forbidding such practices, and the course pursued by the sprinkler was marked by a thin wet line of angry burgesses. When the party returned finally to Cathedral square in completion of the tests the sprinkler was> invaded by a number of indignant individuals who had been sprinkled at different 6tagos of the eventful % ovage. One of them demanded an instant apology from the engineer, in default of which he would bring an action for damages. He also indicated a preference for mortal combat, and demanded the blood of somebody or anybody in a loud in all of which procecdincs he was given moral support by other victims of municipal misadventure. However, nothing serious eventuated, and the party adiourned to the Council Chambers, being there entertained by the Mayor, who e%pressed his satisfaction w lth the results of the morning's demonstration.