WATERWORKS.
During the year, 1,526 yards of new mains were laid and 971 yards of old mains taken up, the old covered race at Wainui-o-mata being replaced by 30in diameter cast-iron pipes.
The completion of this work will ensure: first, the absence of risk from collapse of the race; second, that the water now running to waste from the race itself, and from the overflow at the well, will be saved; third, that it will be possible to draw off from the present reservoir to a depth of 9ft 6in, instead of 6ft as now; and fourth, that by the provision of the Venturi meter the exact quantity of water delivered into the city can be measured.
A meter house of brick and concrete, with concrete subway for Venturi tubes, has been erected alongside the pipe-line.
In connection with the question of an extended water-supply, the Engineer says:— “I should like to take this opportunity of emphasising the imperative necessity that exists
(1) for the construction of an impounding reservoir at Wainui-o-mata, with a main connecting with the 30in main now nearly completed;
(2) for laying a new 30in main across the Little Wainui River, and by way of the road to join the existing main, near the Post Office;
(3) for acquiring the catchment area at Karori; and
(4) for altering and increasing the size of the main reticulation pipes within the city.
By specially emphasising the urgent necessity for these particular works, etc, I do not desire in any way to minimise the necessity that also exists for the proposed duplicate main from Wainui, for until this latter work is carried out the higher levels of the city cannot expect to obtain that supply for domestic and fire purposes which they should have; but the completion of the works before alluded to will give the best results which can be obtained from the present supply.
