THE WAINUI-O-MATA WATERWORKS
TO THE EDITOR.
Sir, A few short months ago the town was full of rumours about the Wainui-o-mata works, with which we were intimately connected. The race was freely condemned, the general design attacked in some quarters, and conjecture generally was busily endeavouring to ascertain why the supply in an unusually dry summer was not unlimited. The ball once started carried along with it in its course an amazing amount of superfluous matter, together with some good.
The matter has now been probed to the bottom. The special committee appointed by the City Council to investigate this matter, after hearing expert evidence which has not been questioned, commenced their report as follows: “The committee are pleased to report that there is no grave defect in any part of the Wainui-o-mata Waterworks scheme.” This report, being confirmed by the City Council by a large majority, would satisfy most people.
Some people are, however, hard to convince. The following letter received by Mr. Baird, the engineer for the works, may perhaps be deemed satisfactory by a still larger majority: “Town Clerk’s Office, Wellington, 5th December 1887. Sir, I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 29th ult. enquiring the cost of the repairs to the Wainui-o-mata water race. In reply, I am instructed to inform you that the cost of same was £140 13s. I am, sir, your obedient servant, J. E. Page, Assistant Town Clerk. J. D. Baird, Esq.”
The above sum of £140 13s we believe we are correct in saying is all the money that has been spent upon the race since completion, a period of four years, and we have no hesitation in saying that if a small portion of this had been spent earlier, the remainder would not now be required. We are, etc., Baird & Ward.
