THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1895. OLD TOWN WATER SUPPLY.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 3, Issue 152, 30 October 1895, Page 2

THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1895. OLD TOWN WATER SUPPLY.

The reports and specifications regarding the alternative schomes suggested by Pr Ginders for providing a water supply to the old township are before us. These are the papers referred to by Dr Ginders at the penultimate meeting of the Town Board, and would have no doubt been considered last Thursday had the amouut set down on the Estimates for water supply extension here justified the members of the Board in entering on a practical discussion of the matter. As a water supply for Ohinemutu however is only a question of time a digest of the documents in question will be of interest. Un November 26, 1889, Dr Ginders telegraphed to the Inspec-tor-General of Hospitals stating that the Hon. Mr Mitchelson had authorised a free supply of water to the two troughs and stand pipes (still existing) in Ohinemutu, but that if a two-inch jQftiu were laid the hotels would take the supply and pay for same. This resulted in a full report being asked for, the opinion of the then Minister for Public Works being that it was better to do the thing properly while about it. Accordingly on December 12 Dr Ginders supplied a full report detailing what had been authorised by Mr Mitchelson and what hf.d previously been promised by Mr Ballance. The report goes on to say that if the three-inch pipe at the top of Pukeroa were continued into the old town—a distance of 23 chains—it would give an abundant household supply, but would not give sufficient pressure for fire extinguishing purposes. The estimated cost of this plan, including fire plugs for rapid supplv of bucket brigade in case of fire, was set down at £135. The plan suggested by Dr Ginders is identical with that approved by Mr C. Malfroy at last meeting of the Board, and included a 4-inch cast iron pipe from the end of the 8-inch main in Tutanekai Street to the end of the village, a distance of 43 chains. The report continues: —"By diminishing the diameter of the pipe one-haif, we reduce the area one-fourth, and the pressure from 10 to 7, that is if the pressure in the B'inch main is represented by 1, in the 4-inch pipe it would be *7. I calculate this would give pressure enough to throw a jet of water some 14 or 15 feet, but I do not recommend it as an efficient supply for fire extinguishing purposes," The cost of this with fire plugs was estimated at £331 18s 3d, and a 3-inch pipe between the same points at £252 lis lid. "There are two plans," continues the report, '* by which an efficient supply for all purposes might be afforded, viz., (1). To carry the 8-inch main into the village—43 chains—the pipes alone costing £628, and (2). to build a concrete reservoir at the top of Pukeroa 30 x 30 x 4 feet deep, to contain, say, 20,000 • gallons." At that time Dr Ginders had not gone into the cost of constructing such a reservoir, but he was satisfied that it would be cheaper and even more efficient than the 8-inch pipe scheme. Being subsequently asked to supply full particulars for such a reservoir Dr Ginders, in conjunction with Mr G. A. Ward of Tauranga, a most efficient draughtsman who happened to be in Eotorua at the time, made out and forwarded to the In-spector-General of Hospitals, the

necessary drawings and specifications. These provided for a reservoir of the capacity stated, with partition wall to allow of its being cleaned without interrupting the service, and three-inch service pipe, at a cost of £270 18s 9d. Economic alternatives were suggested decreasing the estimated outlay by £36. Labor was not taken into account in this estimate—though it was in the others—as there were men here paid by the Government capable of executing the work. It must be remembered, however, that these estimates included cost of carriage at 90s per ton instead of about 35s as at present. Such were the schemes Bubmitted by Dr Ginderj in 1889 and which, until resurrected from the Government archives a few days ago, bad never been heard of since.