Untitled

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 150, 31 July 1914, Page 6

The water supply of Christchurch was under review last evening, when the Council met to receive the reports of the experts appointed to review the present state of the installation ami make recommendations for future requirements. Mr Cyrus Williams advocates an extension of the present well system with an additional reservoir to hold 1,500,000 gallons of water, the whole to involve an expenditure of £20,250. Mr Williams has satisfied himself that an addition of four new wells and the construction of the second basin will ensure an adequate working sup-

ply with a satisfactory reserve for emergencies, for the next ten years. If, as this engineer assumes, there is an inexhaustible supply of artesian water beneath the surface, then it only remains to find the most effective and economical means of distributing it over the city. The new wells, it is calculated, would increase tlie present supply by close on two million gallons, while a second reservoir would very materially increase the working margin of supply. The great objection to the existing scheme was that this margin was so small as to be comparatively speaking, dangerous. Timorous ratepayers will look askance at the expense of the proposal, but M IC position has to be faced. The supply at present is inadequate so far as a working reserve is concerned. Shortsightedness in the initiation of the original scheme has to be paid for now, and the citizens can only prepare to pay and look pleasant. Whether a <econd reservoir is or is not necessary foe the purposes of fire prevention is a question on which many will be definitely divided. Mr Williams admits that this work is not urgent, but if it is necessary, it might jiist as well be carried out and done with. The question of sub-stafions electrically driven is dismissed with the comment that while the present pumping station can cope with the demand, it would only add to the expense to instal subsidiary stations. The commentator, might have been more explicit with respect to this alternative proposition, which is certainly worth more attention than Mr Williams devoted to it. However, there is the report, and though last night's discussion shed little'new light on it, pertinent analyses may be expected in due course —for the ratepayers' pockets are concerned.