The Wainui Waterworks – Special Meeting of the City Council
A special meeting of the City Council was held yesterday afternoon in reference to the damage to the Wainui Waterworks. Present – Councillors A. W. Brown (in the chair), Petherick, Miller, FitzGerald, Wilson, Richardson, Maginnity, and McKenzie. The acting City Engineer (Mr J. D. Baird) said that when he was out at the works the previous day, the river was too high for him to make a thorough examination, and he preferred not to make a written report until he was able to state exactly the extent of the damage. He briefly reported orally, however, what had happened in consequence of the floods, as already described in the Evening Post. He urged that the Council should go out as early as possible, and see the damage for themselves. Councillor Petherick urged that there was no benefit to be derived by the Council going out to the dam. Councillor Danks asked if any private individual would entrust a man to build even a private house without going to look at it? The objection made to going out to the works showed a want of sense not often to be met with in a man’s lifetime. He added that he was always under the impression that the peninsula, through which the river had cut a new course, was of solid rock. He was very much surprised to find now that it was simply a boulder bank. Mr Baird – It is a conglomerate. Councillor Richardson moved that the Council visit the dam as early as possible. Councillor Wilson seconded, and criticized the engineering character of the works. In regard to Councillor Petherick’s remarks he thought it was the duty of every member to see the works. If he could not do so at his own expense he ought to do so at the expense of the Council. The Chairman deprecated any remarks being made likely to prejudice the Council in any litigation with the contractor. He pointed out the work had been carried out under the supervision not only of Mr Baird but also of Mr Blackett, and suggested that the latter should be requested to visit the dam with the Council. It was a very important matter, and it must be remembered that the contractor had to maintain the works for two months, and had two sureties to his contract. Councillor McKenzie said he had pointed out that there was likely to be percolation through the peninsula, but the Engineer said there was not likely to be anything of the sort, and if it did occur they could put a wall of cement through the centre. He (Councillor McKenzie) had been out to the works at his own expense on several occasions. Councillor Petherick had not spent sixpence on the thing, and not only so, he wanted to prevent proper surveillance being exercised over the work. If they did not look after the interests of the ratepayers they ought not to be there. He thought it premature to discuss with whom the fault lay. (Hear, hear.) Mr Baird, in reference to the character of the peninsula, said that when the waterworks were laid out, they had every reason to believe that there was rock passing right through the whole space. Councillors could see that the sides of the cutting were standing upright, and in some places there was an inclination inward, so that the stuff, if not solid rock was as hard as any rock. The first time they found out it was not rock was when they put Sinclair’s tunnel through. He then spoke to Mr Blackett, who said the stuff was perfectly sound, and all it wanted was a top face to prevent the water from getting at it. This was done. It was a conglomerate as hard as any rock. Councillor Petherick expressed a wish to reply to some of the “personal” speeches made by other councillors. After explaining that the contract time for the dam had expired before he entered the Council, he said that at the last meeting he stated that one of the heaviest floods, designated by the natives the rata flood, occurred in the summer. The Councillors sneered at him. Every word he had said about the Wainui waterworks had come true. The engineer was now in as bad a position as ever, money was still going out, and God knew when they would get the water. They might be in the same predicament this time next year that they were now. He always said that Wainui was not a suitable place for waterworks. They had exceeded their loan, and where were they going to get the money from? Yet the Council wanted to make him a scapegrace (Laughter.) Councillor Danks would like Councillor Petherick to explain where the waste of money had occurred, and give them his great knowledge of waterworks. He was prepared to sit there till 12 o’clock at night to hear Councillor Petherick expatiate on his great knowledge of waterworks. It was only amusing – like going to the theatre – to listen to him. (Laughter.) As Mr Baird was engaged in the Supreme Court next day (Friday), it was agreed that the Council, Mr Baird, and Mr Blackett should visit the dam to-morrow (Saturday). The Chairman remarked that he thought it was the duty of officers of the Council to provide some light refreshments, notwithstanding what had been said on the subject. The Council then adjourned.
Tags: Newspaper Waterworks
