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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 12 September 1908, Page 1

onus- on itself in deciding tne question. He asked Mr Smith to explain the divergence in the two reports. The Mayor was astonished at that nisht's renort. The Engineer said that Cr. Grace had said that the joint report stated that the dam was unsafe. He denied Cr. Orace to show that there was such a thine in the report. Cr. Grace: You were not asked to make a speech, but to answer a question. The Engineer went on to say that the oitv must have a supply of water imoounded. The new weir would hold a two days' supply. When the Council refused to ko on with the larger improvements to the dam, he, in the cublic interests, was justified in divereine from the original proposals . Cr. Bislev asked the Engineer whether the dam would be perfectly safe if the proposed repairs were carried out. Mr Smith had no hesitation in saying that-ibe dam would be perfectly.safe: "_ Cr. Bisler was opposed to another ODinion being obtained, and favoured the whole matter going to the Water ; Committee for consideration of the pros and cons. He moved as an amendment that the Water Committee consider and report to the Council. Cr. Pettlfc seconded the amendment, and thoueht there was too much of the alarmist about Cr. Grace. Cr. Grace: Can't be to sure about that now. Cr. Pettit said that nothing had been broucht before the Council to show that Mr Smith or Mr Hay had reported, that the dam waa unsafe. : The Mayor. to Cr. Pettit : I hope you will be up there when the dam does burst. (Laughter.) Cr. Grace hoped Cr. Pettit could swim. Cr. Field said that the question of safety was never referred to irt the joint report, but had been raised in the Council, and people had been alarmed. Now that there was alarm, that alarm should be allayed. Personally he did not think there was any cause for alarm, thouffh he was only a layman. He would support the motion. Cr. Grace referred to the large quantities of water that were coming out rf the wall at the time the Council visited the dam. He must discount • the F.nirineer's report — he would discount it to the public if necessary. The Mayor opposed the. amendment. The Council was wrong in listening to Mr Langlands. He did not believe they would ever have a, good foundation at. the site of the dam— the rock waf rotten. He favoured the abandonment of the- dam. as it was too low, and would never (rive a good pressure. Cr. Bislev said that the Mayor had no option but to vote for the amendment, after his remarks about the new dam Let the Water Committee go into thfi whole matter. Mr Langlands had said he could make the dam watertight for £850 (saving the ratepayers nearly £20001. and the offer had a right to the Council's consideration. He thought Mr Smith was to be complimented on recommending a cheaper scheme that would make the dam watertight. Cr. Hampson did not agr^c ~->t-ix th. Mayor that the new dam 6hould be allowed to go, unless it was going tocost a very considerable sum, in which ca.se the wholo position should- be reconsidered. If the city was short of water with the new dam, what would, be the -position without the storage provided by the new dam. Cr. Hampeon aereed that Mr Smith was to be commended if he could endorse a scheme that would make the dam tight for a number of years and at a much lesser cost than was estimated for a more extensive work. The Mayor said that some engineers Rtick to their report*. Mr Hay would stick to his report. ' In reply to Cr. Hampson, the Eneineer said that if the dam burst he would not like to be answerable for the consequences. But he had absolutely no fear that the dam would "burst. _ The ouestioH of safety was not mentioned by himself or Mr Hay, as it was not desired to raise a doubt about a danger that did not exist. ' . Cr. Field suggested that the Government Eneineer be asked to report. If the element of safety was removed from the Engineers 'report there was nothing to cavil about in the discrepancy in the estimates. The later report only provided for making the dam watertight. Cr. Grace agreed with the suggestion, and asked to be allowed to add to his motion that a Government Engineer report.—Permission was granted. Cr. Turner was opposed to spending £800 on a dam. the water from which watt not fit to drink. The dam was nothins but a nvudbank inside. The amendment was lost by 7 to 2, the latter being Cm. Pettit and Bisley. Cr. Grace's motion, "That the Government be asked to send an engineer to report on the safety of the dam, was then put and carried on the voices. Mr Smith asked for permission to send his amended report to Mr Hay. ■The Mayor was opposed to that being done. Cr. Pettit said the report of that nitrht was a modified one ; and it would be the ridht thing to ask Mr Hay if he would endorse the modifications. He moved that Mr Smith - s modification l>e sent to Mr Hay for an opinion. Cr. Hampson seconded, and Crs. ttoHertson and Field supported. Cr. Grace opposed. The motion was carried by 6 to 3. the latter being Crs. Turner, Grace, and the Mayor. In reply to Cr. Field, the City Eneineer said that the meter had got out of adjustment, but was now put right. There waa still a leakage of 14.000 gallons an hour. There was an abnormal flow during tho nisht, but there must be a leakaee somewhere, though he had not vet been able to locate it.