MARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9111, 2 April 1908, Page 2

MARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A special meeting was held last evening to consider Mr Leslie Reynolds’ replies to questions submitted in connection with an improved water supply. The following letter was read : Sir.—l am-in receipt of your letter of the 12th March, containing several questions which your Council ask me to answer. In 'reply to the first question as to difference of pressure between "proposed mains and those now in use, I have to advice you that the hydrostatic pressure, i.e., when no water is being drawn off, would be the same. The point, however, to consider is the hydraulic pressure during draught upon the main. With the main advised in my report, four %in. fire jets would discharge 300 gallons per minute to a vertical height of 50 feet, whereas the present mains through corrosion and smallness in diameter are useless for

fire In reply to your , question No. 2, Ido not consider it / advisable to raise the concrete embankment at the reservoir. The construction of same is _ not strong enough to admit of raising. With regard to question No, 3, the only method of increasing the pressure is ' by enlarging the size of the mains. ■ Replying to question No 4, I certainly advise your Council, unless a high pressure of water supply be installed, to obtain a steam fire engine, as even with the enlarged mains from the present reservoir, the pressure would be insufficient "to cope with a serious outbreak of fire. The comparative cost of wood pipes and steel pipes as asked in your question No. 5,1 judge there would be a saving in wood pipes of about 20 per cent to 25 per cent. This is, of course, assuming that th<3 steel pipes be constructed of not lighter than No. 12 gauge. In reply to question No. 6, I would strongly advise your Council to attempt no scheme of filtration as the cost of installation and subsequent working expenses, ing my opinion, place the matter on one side. In answering question No. 2, I have already answered No. 7 re raising concrete embankments. In answer to question No. 8, re improvement of supply for present reservoir, I can only advise same by enlarging the mains, which will increase the pressure to the 'extent before given, and I strongly advise your Council against any filtration scheme which may be advanced, as I am perfectly satisfied that no catchment area water supply in the district can be utilised for domestic purposes, except at prohibitive cost in connection with filtration. Unless the high pressure water supply advised in my report be adopted, I fear the community will have to depend uopn rain water for potable purposes, and retain the present reservoir for street watering, etc., with the larger mains advised and engine for fire extinguishing purposes.—-Yours, etc., LESLIE H. REYNOLDS.”

The Borough Engineer (Mr Sicely) was present and in reply ito questions expressed the opinion that the dam could be thickened and raised and so increase the storage of water by at least 15 feet. To ensure the catchment area being kept free from pollution the Council would require to purchase about 20 acres additional land.

Or. Brediu urged that Government should be approached to grant £ for £ to prospect for artesian water. Or. Gibbons supported Or. Bredin’s views. He was opposed to spending money on the reservoir. They had passed through an exceptionally dry season and the supply in the dam had lasted well. He favoured asking ratepayers to go for a loan for larger mains and obtaining a steam fire engine. The artesian scheme could come on later. Or. Gould considered they should spend say £IOOO on increasing the storage supply and laying larger mains.

Cr. Lyon favoured the idea of prospecting for artesian water and pointed out the advantages to be derived by the town and district if a good artesian supply could be obtained.

Or. Gibbons moved, That the Engineer be instructed to prepare an estimate of what amount of pipes will be required together with the cost of extension of same, so 'as to place the matter before the ratepayers in some definite form, also that he be asked to furnish separately the cost of raising and strengthening the concrete embankment.” The Mayor pointed out that fthe Railway Department paid £7O for water supply last year and if the Borough could supply the Department with the full quantity required it would probably Increase ■to £3OO, " a year. The present pressure was not sufficient for railway purposes. The proposed loan should include all necessary improvements for fire prevention purposes. He seconded the motion, which was carried.

Or Hilton was not opposed to the artesian water scheme, but urged the W'ork of enlarging the mains and improving the resrovoir should be the first consideration. He was not in favour of raising the concrete wall to the extent suggested by Mr Sicely. They should ascertain the cost of increasing the, size of the mains and extending same as far as Zajouskowski’s, and he preferred to place a definite scheme before the ratepayers. Or. Gould was of opinion that to deal with the artesian scheme at the present stage would mean the postponement of the suggested improvements to the present supply at least 12 months.

Or. Bredin moved that a deputation consisting of the Major, Or. Lyon and Gibbons, wait on Mr Stevens, M.P., with a view to approaching the Minister for Railways to grant a subsidy of £ for £ in an expenditure, the Council would make up to £SOO in prospecting for artesian water at Marton ; also to ascertain if government would grant the use of their modern boring plant for the purpose. ” The motion was seconded by Or. Lyon and carried.