MEETING AT SYDENHAM.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12825, 8 June 1907, Page 10

MEETING AT SYDENHAM.

[ Tho statutory meeting in connection with the high-piessuro water supply scheme for reticulating the whole of the Sydenham Ward was held at St. Saviour's schoolroom Inst evening and uas poorly attended. Councillor Allison presided, and Councillors Forrester and Taylor wero also present. The Chairman in outlining the proposals said that in 1901 the scheme for the Sydenham supply was carried when many of the streets were thinly populated. But since that year the population had greatly increased, and a largo number hnd applied for connection with tho supply, but their applications had been refused on account of tho cost. Tho extra connections with the supply would lead to a reduction in the rates, so that the proposed loan would not add any burden to the rates at present. In round numbers, £4000 would be required for the reticulation of Beckonham, Fishcrton, and Colombo streets, and £9000 for the reticulation of Sydenham by tho old boundaries. Mr Allison then gave tho following fipures to show how the loan would be utilised: — Beckenham and Fishcrton: Four miles of 4-inch and 3-inch pipes £2160, 620 services at £1, £620. Sydenham: Ten miles of 12, 6, 4 and 3-inch pipes, £6682; 2380 _rvices at £1, £2380. Additional well (if needed), engineering, raising of loan, contingencies, and first year's interest, £1158. Total, C 13.000. Councillor Forrester moved:—"That this meeting approves of the proposal of the Christchurch City Councii to raise a loan of £13,000 for the purpose of constructing waterworks for tho reticulation of the Sydenham Ward of the city of Christchurch." He stated that it was really necessary that £4000 should bo borrowed in order to supply the whole of the district. Before many months tho Drainage Board would be calling on them to connect with tho sewerage system wherever thoir pipes were laid. The water part of the connection was the -most expensive item, and was of the first importance. The connections that were made would mean a proportionate reduction in the rates. The Sydenham waterworks to date had cost as follows:—Paid for out of loan, £22,430; out of revenue,. approximate, £1003 10s 9d; total, £23,433 10s 9d. The working expenses for 1907 were £403 13s Gd, and the expenditure out of the revenue account, 19015-7, was £1447 16s Id. Mr Forrester then gave the details of the mileage reticulation, and pointed out that the rating in the wards differed. Residents of the city had to pay 2s per thousand gallons drawn from the Sydenham supply, whilst the costs to the residents of Sydenham worked out at about 6d per thousand gallons; and he said the more subscribers they had i_ the city, the cheaper would be the rate to the residents of Sydenham. - He had heard it stated that Sydenham had not bee* treated fairly by tho city. Owing to an understanding this year the aflowanoe out of general account made to them was £76 8s Id, but the value of the pipes given to Sydenham by the city was £1538 8s sd, which was not included in the cost of the works. . Cr. Taylor thought that the scheme was a good one, and Sydenham would benefit largely if the general scheme were completed. A householder said that Christchuroh was benefiting by having the us© of the Sydenham supply, and ho thought the main should not be taken over the boundary of Sydenham into the central ward. He was also of opinion that if the reservoir was to be placed on the hills the supply could be joined with tho Sydenham main, and the city could connect with the Sydenham main. Ho honght no such sum should be borrow, ed till some arrangement had been come to with the City Council for the use of the main. He moved an amendment accordingly. The Chairman ruled that the amendment wns a direct negative, and therefore could not be put. After further discussion, the motion wns put and lost by twelve votes to eleven. _________ TO THS SOROS OF "THIS PRESS." Sir, —As the question of a high pressure water supply is now before tho ratepayers, I think perhaps, a few figures from one who has lately bought property in a locality which has the high pressure supply may be in-* teresting. I have just reoeSved.an account from the Sumner Borough Council for water rates which amounts to £10. This amount, I presume, is for a year's supply although for at least two months of that time the liouso was unoccupied, in addition an allowance on rateable value is deducted before amount is charged. In this house are living, four adults, and threo children all under nine, and thero is uo supply outside tho building. Again an owner showed mc an account for £8 for a house the rent of which is 10s 6d per week gross to him, tho landlord paying water Tatcs. "Even with this supply tho water is cut -off from the houses between nine o'clock at night to six o'clock in tho morning In Christchurch I havo two houses which are both supplied from ono well which gives all tho water wanted bosides an abundant supply for garden purposes as well at a cost which is nominal, and on this property I have no desire to pay water rates for nothing.—Yours, etc., W. O. H. WIGLEY. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE THESS." Sir, —On two or threo occasions I have advocated the experimental confseivation of the artesian water supply, under what may be termed the "block" system. If by suitable means tho I wells, say, in- tho Triangle "block" can be unitedly connected with adequate tanks, at tho highest attainable elevation, the surplus flow can bo used, possibly, for supplying street mains If the various blocks in Christchurch wer* aa watered, it appears that the proposed high-prawn rs water supply scheme would bs revsraed. Instead of tho blockß baing fed by a central system, they would bo the feeders. The main difficulty lies in tho matter of pressure, which would tax the strength of pipes and tanks. Dr. Chilton has ably amplified the arguments in favour of "making the" best nee of the wttpply we at present possess. The expendi; ture of, aay, £150, to tiy tbe powibi- i

.litios of the '-lock" ohm ____Hi____ considerable saving to tl_T?!Hii»H^B Christcbuirh, J„n e % -19^1^8