CORRESPONDENCE.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4285, 24 April 1879, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

WATER FOE FIEE PREVENTION. TO THK SDITOS 07 THH PBESB. Sib,—lt is said that Nero fiddled whilst Borne burnt What are oar engineer* doing whilst Ghristchurch is burning in patches ? It is found that at fires of any magnitude the tanks an not sufficient. Iβ it impossible to vi« Avon water nearly all over the city, and without going in for excessive lengths of hose ? I think not. Suppose by way of a first experiment I suggest, lay a thirty-inch diameter main of oast or wrought iron, properly fitted with hydrants, from the Avon at Lichfleld street end, along that street and down Manchester street, again connecting with the Avon. The main should be fitted with a bell month at the Liohfield street intake, and be laid as near the level of the bottom of the river as possible to receive a constant fall main. The Manchester street end should be fitted with a sluice, to permit the main being flushed at times to prevent any quantity of silt, &c., being accumulated therein, and to prevent interference with the rights of the mHL This, I think, would very efficiently supply what is so much needed, and we then can afford time for the various Waimakariri schemes to be thought out. Yours,&&o f A GomrißY Fibhmaw.