Watering the Streets.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 204, 4 October 1888, Page 3

Watering the Streets.

DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW SCHEME. The following report of the Public Works Committee, as to the mnst economical method of watering the streets, was read at the meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday evening:— The Committee find that the cost of watering the streets last year was £26 13s 2d per month, under contract. They have received an offer from Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. to supply water from 6am to 5 p m for the sum of £lO per month, Council to find •all means of distribution. The Committee, after careful consideration, make the follow ing recommendation, viz., that the Council water the the streets on the following basis The Council purchase horse and harness for say £3O, build stable at cost of £lO, erect tanks for £10; estimated cost, £BO. Estimated expenses per month—Hire of gas engine, £1 ss; cost of gas, £5; keep of horse, £4; man’s wages, £8; total monthly expenditure, £lB ss. The gas engine to force the water into tanks erected on the Borough reserve, and be distributed as required by the man employed, who shall also act as custodian of the Fire Brigade plant, and live rent free in the Borough cottage. The sum of £2 per month paid to the present custodian would thus be saved, and the estimated cost of watering the streets reduced from £26 13s 2d to £l6 5a per month, effecting a total saving to the Council for the six summer months, of £62 9s. When not engaged in watering the streets, the man’s services would be available for ordinary street labor all the year round. Cr Lucas thought the Public Works Committee were to be complimented on the way they had gone into this matter. They had shown a clear saving of £lO a month. A man was paid 10s a week and rent free for looking after the Fire Brigade plant, and under the new arrangement they would save the 10a per week. He moved the adoption of the report. Cr Whinray seconded. He felt very pleased with the scheme suggested. Cr Coleman said it was intended that the water should be forced through the line of pipes to the hydrant at the corner of the road, where the cart could be filled. Cr Joyce thought the suggestion was a good oae, but he failed to see how one man could attend to all the duties. The report was unanimously adopted, and the Committee were empowered to carry out their suggestion.