H—No. 3

The Committee to whom was referred a Bill intituled " An Act to make provision for the construction and maintenance of Waterworks for supplying the City of Wellington with Water and for defraying the Cost thereof," have the honor to report that they have examined the Bill, and do recommend that it may be passed, with the alterations and additions as shown in the copy of the Bill annexed to this Eeport. The Committee do further recommend that the following be added to subsection 5 of clause 4 : — " But no dam for the purposes of the undertaking or the Waterworks shall be erected for the period of two years from the passing of this Act, upon the land in the Schedule to this Act so as in any manner to interfere with or prejudicially affect the drives or tunnels now made in connection with any goldmining leases within the district aforesaid, except with the previous consent of the persons for the time being interested in such drives or tunnels." Edwaed Peaece, 19th September, 1871. Chairman.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. Tuesday, 29th Atjgtjst, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to order. Pbesent : Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. O'Neill, Mr. Bunny, Mr. Pearce. Hon. Mr. Fitzherbert, On motion of Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Pearce was elected Chairman. On motion of Mr. O'Neill, it was agreed that Counsel should be heard on both sides. Mr. Travers appeared on behalf of the Mayor aud Town Council of Wellington. Mr. Dransfield, Mayor, was examined. By Mr. TraversZ] Have you any knowledge of the water supply to Wellington ?—Yes. Is it effective or not ? —Very defective. To your knowledge, is water supply wanted by generality of townspeople ?—Tes. Are you aware whether the proposed supply has been frequently discussed at City Council ?— Tes; there is, to best of my belief, only one objector to it in the City Council. Have plans and estimates been prepared by the City Engineer, of the proposed works ?—Tes. Have any petitions or proceedings against these works been sent in to the City Council ? —No. In your opinion, as Mayor, can the Corporation effectually and economically carry out these works ?—I believe they can. By Mr. O'JYeill.] Was there any other scheme to bring water into town?— There was a private proposal, but none by the town authorities. Mr. Dransfield then withdrew. Mr. Nicholas Marchant was examined. By Mr. TraversZ] Tou are Civil Engineer to the City Council ? —Tes. Are you acquainted with the character of the present water supply to the City of Wellington ?— Tes. Can you state whether it is a satisfactory supply or not ?—lt is a very unsatisfactory supply. What are the general sources of supply ? —The water is collected from house-tops into barrels and iron tanks, and also from shallow wells. Is the supply now obtained pure ?—No. Have you had an analysis of present supply ?—Tes, by Dr. Hector. This is embodied in my report to the City Council, which I produce. Is it your opinion that a new supply is urgently required ?—Tes. Have you made plans and estimates of proposed works ? —Tes, preliminary ones. Mr. Marchant then withdrew, after laying on the table Eeport and Proceedings of City Council on a Water Supply to the City. On motion of Mr. Bunny, the Committee then adjourned till half-past 11 to-morrow.

REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE WELLINGTON WATERWORKS BILL.