Evening Post 04 Dec 1883

… at last night’s meeting of the Public Works Committee of the City Council concerning water supply generally, Councillor Petherick asked the Engineer when the Wainui-o-mata waterworks were expected to be completed. He also wanted to know what was the cause of the delay. Mr Baird – I think the Councillors know pretty well why it is. Councillor Petherick – I don’t know. Mr Baird – You ought to know. The Councillors have been down to the works to inspect them for that purpose. Councillor Petherick – Mr Chairman, I ask the question in a business-like manner. The Engineer doesn’t appear to know. (Councillor Maginnity, derisively – “Hear, hear.”) Why can’t he give us an answer? Is it because he is going out of office? (Loud laughter.) Councillor Newman, without casting reflections, would like to know when the works would be finished. Mr Baird – The water can be brought in at any time that the Council likes to take the responsibility of filling the dam – at the end of the week if they desire it. Mr Bayliss’ contract will be finished in about a month. Councillor A. W. Brown – Barring floods. Mr Baird – Of course. Councillor Brown – If a flood came to-night the dam would be washed away again. Mr Baird – Probably. Councillor Richardson expressed his opinion that until the works were ready for use water for machinery should be cut off so as to protect the domestic supply. Mr Baird said the reservoir was quite full at present. Councillor Wilson afterward moved “that notice be given to the contractor that all penalties will be strictly enforced, and that the work must be proceeded with without delay.” Councillor FitzGerald was opposed to harassing the contractor, who, he understood, had as many men engaged on the work as he could put on, and he urged Councillor Wilson to withdraw the motion. Contending that the contractor had been only too leniently dealt with in the past, Councillor Wilson declined to do so, and the motion was carried.