The Water Supply of the City
The most important discussion at the meeting of the City Council last night was that which had reference to the best means to be adopted for increasing the water supply of the city. The subject was introduced by the reading of a clause in the Public Works Committee’s report, stating that the City Surveyor had been instructed to ask Mr Saunders to name a price for which he would be willing to construct the flume at Wainui and maintain it till the completion of his contract. In connection with this matter, a letter was read from Mr Saunders, in reply to that sent him by Mr Loughrey, intimating that he saw no objection to the proposal to construct a flume, but would not undertake to do the work himself. He added that a flume should not cost more than £100. The Mayor explained that he had spoken to Councillors S. Brown, Danks, and other practical men, on the subject, and had ascertained that water for the lower levels of the city could be obtained by placing a centrifugal pump in the stream near Petone. The higher levels could be supplied from the Polhill Gully reservoir.
Councillor McKenzie was in favour of constructing a flume. The citizens were now suffering from a lack of water, and in some cases employers had been obliged to discharge hands because of the want of motive power. The matter was a very serious one, and should be taken into thorough consideration by the Council. The erection of a centrifugal pump might be cheaper, but he questioned whether it would act so well as a flume. One hundred pounds was not a large sum to expend for such a purpose, and so far as he could see, the construction of a flume would in no way be a hindrance to Mr Saunders’ contract. He would move, therefore, “That a 2ft flume be constructed and the water brought in at once.” He objected to the water being brought in from Petone because it was not so pure as that at Wainui. He had several times seen ducks and geese swimming about in the stream on which it was proposed to erect the pump. In reply to a question from Councillor Petherick, the Mayor said he did not know how high above the pipes it was proposed to place the pump. Councillor Danks – On the level of the pipes. Councillor Thompson would like to second the motion, but was afraid to do so in the face of the City Solicitor’s opinion as to the
liability in case of floods. He had seen Mr Saunders on this subject, and had been assured by that gentleman that he had no desire to carry out the erection of the flume. He (the speaker), however, was hopeful that some arrangement in that direction might be made with Mr Saunders, and he suggested Councillor McKenzie should amend his resolution in the direction of appointing a committee to wait upon that contractor to see what could be done. Councillor McKenzie said he had no objection to meet Councillor Thompson’s views, and the resolution was altered so as to read, “That a two-feet flume be brought in, and that a committee, consisting of Councillors Danks, Thompson, Maginnity, A. W. Brown, and the mover, accompanied by the City Surveyor, be appointed to wait upon Mr Saunders.” This was seconded by Councillor Thompson. An amendment was moved by the Mayor, “That the engineer be instructed to place a centrifugal pump in the stream at Petone.” His Worship explained that he preferred this course because there was no possibility of involving the Council in a legal difficulty with the contractor. The amendment was seconded by Councillor Danks. Councillor Newman was in favour of bringing in the Wainui supply. His
objection to the other scheme was that the pump would not supply the higher levels with water. Councillor A. W. Brown spoke to a similar effect. After further discussion the motion and amendment were put, and the latter was lost. Another amendment by Councillor Wilson, “That the engineer be instructed to ask Mr Saunders to name a sum for which he will supply Wellington with water until the completion of his contract,” was not seconded.
