TIMARU WATERWORKS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2355, 4 October 1880, Page 2

TIMARU WATERWORKS.

FIRST EDITION.

The following appeared ia oar town edition of Saturday)

It will gratify many to learn that a commencement in earnest has been made with the waterworks. The contractor tor tiie lirst portion of the works has marked oil: a camp for his men, and about twenty hands will be employed next week. Toe next contract will absorb about an equal number of men, but there are a large number of minor contracts to be let, and we may mention that the engineers , arc busily preparing plans and specifications for eighteen miles of water races—a work that, ought to absorb all the unemployed or surplus labor in the district and a. great deal more. These plans are simplified to such an extent that the merest novice in contractors’ work will have no ditlicnlty in arriving at an accurate estimate ol: the amount and value of the labor required. So far as the experiences of the Borough Council have gone, they have realised the benefit of an exceptionally favorable labor market combined with active competition on the part of tenderers for their first contract lias been let at a remarkably low iignre. In about a fortnight from this date the works will ho in full swing,and wo may expect the business of the town to be fairly augmented by the addition of a strong labor force. It will be observed that tenders are invited for the supply of 8000 feet of earthenware pipes, which together with totara flaming will be freely employed where the open drains arc insutlieient or impracticable. The object sou gilt is to avoid expensive works whicii are no! iiulispensible, and to expend the amount available in such a way that an ample and abundant supply of water will be provided. Hence the alterations and necessary improvements at the pipe head reservoir will be of a perraanen. and useful but not of a costly nature Instead of an expensive valve tower for instance, a. valve-well fitted up witli a ladder inside and easily accessible will be provided, while with the aid of a bottom pipe with perforated lop, concrete wells, strong wooden shutters, and other ingenious, yet simple contrivances the water can be drawn off for use clean and pure above anv sediment, the reservoir can be scoured at pleasure, the supply from the headworks diverted along the by-wash, and the height and pressure regulated. Judging from the plans we should say the works when completed will be of a singnhniv simple nnd utilitarian nature, and that repairs or renewals when necessary will be easily and cheaply e(footed.