PARNELL BOROUGH COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6346, 21 March 1882, Page 6

PARNELL BOROUGH COUNCIL.

«, Air adjourned special meeting of the members of the Parnell Borough Council was held last night. The Mayor occupied the chair, and there were present Messrs. Winks, Hood, Davies, Mullins, Barber, Clayton, Herbert, and McKenzie.

The Coukcil asp the Domain - Boap.d.— On the motion of Mr. Barber, seconded by Mr. Winks, it was resolved, "That the Town Clerk write to the Hon. Y. Whitaker, referring to a deputation from this Council to the Premier and the Attorney-General, on the 2nd February last, re the nomination of Mr. Robert Walker as a member of the Domain Board, and to state that the Council will be glad to be informed if the Government have given effect to the promise made to the deputation—viz., to place the name of Mr. Robert Walker on the list of members of the Domain Board."

The Water Scrrr.v. —A letter was read from Messrs. Hancock and Co., offering to supply the borough with water at a reasonable cost, and asking the Council to inspect the wells at their brewery before coming to a decision on the water-supply question.— Mr. Boylan read the following report on Mr" Seccombe's well :—

His Worship the Mayor and Councillors, Parncll.— Gentlemen, —In accordance with your instructions, we have investigated and approximately measured the quantity o( water obtainable from Messrs. Seccombe's well, with their present pumping gear. For this purpose, we have kept the pump going continuously, except for a few necessary stoppages for oiling, cleaning. &c. for a period of 43 hours, from 4.30 p.m. on Saturday, ISth instant, up to 4.30 j> ni. to-day, Monday, 20th Instant, during which time observations were taken every half-hour, of depth of water in well and amount of water being pumped out. Tho average amount of water pumped up during tho 4S hours was 3750 gallons per hour, or 00,000 gallons per diem, and in the 4S hours of pumping, tho water in the well was lowered 4*t> j but almost the whole of this lo\Ycrinj was accomplished in tho first SO hours, the level of water in the w»ll remaining nearly constant from the 3Cth to the 4Sth hour of pumpin*. Wo may here state that the well, at starting, was much abovo its usual level, and remains so at present, the pumps now employed not bein£ of sufficient power to reduce it further to xay extent. Accordingly, we are unable to put the well to a severer test with the pump now employed. We are, however, confident, as a result of our investigation so far, th&t a quantity of 00,030 gallons daily, as a minimum yield, may be obtained, which would, of course, bu increased with better pumping gear. The α-uount of water used at present in Auckland por liead of popnlation, including shipping and manufactories, is under2sgallons daily. We estimate that for Famell, where neither shipping nor manufactories would rsquire water, that a daily supply of 18 gallons per diem would bo ample, or 06,600 gallons for the presont popnlation of 3700. This would leave a surplus of 23.400 gallons daily for the present popuply, or a sulßcient quantity for 1300 more population, or a total of 5000 inhabitants. Accompanying this are estimates of the cost of tho water supply and reservoir.—Wo are, &c, Bovla.n" and Lundo.v, Boginears.

In the course of a desultory conversation which followed the reading of the report some doubt was expressed as to whether the experiments which had been made were sufficiently exhaustive to satisfy the Council as to the ability of the well to supply the requisite quantity of water required, having ragard to the future population and wants of the borough. Mr. Boylau explained that his experiments convinced him that there was an ample supply to provide the present population of the borough with water, but that unless more powerful machinery and a larger pump were obtained he could not say dennitely what the full supply capacity of the well was, or what population it was adequate to provide for. It was also stated that in the event of the burgessee agreeing to the scheme, Mr. Seccombe would only be paid for the quantity of water actually used, or, in other words, which passed through the metre into the mains, and that the reservoir which would be erected would hold three days' supply of water. —In answer to a question the Mayor stated that if the burgesses were in favour of the scheme, Mr. Seccombe would be prepared to oxpond £000 or so in providing a better pump, and njore powerful machinery. It was suggested that Mr. Seccombe should be a3ked to provide the means for a more effectual test of his well, but the Mayor pointed out that it would scarcely be fair to expect him to go to any great cost on the uncertain supposition that the burgesses would approve of the Council's scheme.—His Worship suggested th-it if a further test were resolved upon, involving a moderate expenditure, the Council should share cost with Mr. Seccombe; and, after some conversation, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Herbert, seconded by Mr. Winks, "That the well be further tested with a view of ascertaining more definitely its full capacity, and that the sub-committee, who have charge of the matter, should wait upon Mr. Seccombe." —The Council then proceeded to discuss the amount necessary to cover the cost of the water supply, and it was ultimately fixed at £6000, and on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Mr. Winks, it was resolved that a special loan of £14,000 be raised for the purpose of providing a system of drainage, and a water supply for the borough, and that the loan be in the following proportion : —Drainage, £3000; water, £0000.—The Mayor said the next question the Council had to consider was the levying of a special rate to provide for the interest on the loan, and a sinking fund, and he mentioned that by having a sinking fund, it would probably be easier to raise the loan. A sinking fund •E \ per cent., compound interest, would, he said, clear off the loan in 49 years, and Captain McKenzie proposed, arid Mr. Clayton seconded, that the loan should be for a period of 50 years. The motion was carried unanimously. — Some questions were asked as to the rate of interest which it would be advisable to offer for the loan, but it was decided not to fix any particular rate, and Captain McKenzie proposed, and Mr. Clayton seconded, that a special rate of 9d in the £ (being 5d for the drainage and 4d for the water) lie levied for the purpose of meeting the cost of the loan and sinking fund.—Mr. Winks wished to know if this special rate of 9d in the £ would cover the cost of supplying the burgesses with water, and the use of it for municipal purposes, such as flushing the sewers, &c—The Mayor said that it was only intended to defray the cost of the actual works, and that the burgesses who used Water would have to pay for it.—Mr Mullins asked who would have to pay for water used in case of a fire ?—The Mayor asked Captain McKenzie what course the City Council followed in regard to these matters, and that gentleman replied that he believed the cost had to be borne by the general revenue.—Mr. Winks proposed as an amendment, "That the special rate be 9id, in order to defray the expenses lie had indicated," but after some little discussion the original motion was carried unanimously, and the proceedings terminated.