THE WATERWORKS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 989, 20 June 1879, Page 2

THE WATERWORKS.

At the meeting of the Municipal Council last evening, the following report upon the condition of the waterworks was read :

Oamaru, 19th June, IS7O. To his Worship the Mayor and Councillors. Gentlemen, — I have the honor to report that the works in race-cutting are so far finished that all the present contracts, with the exception of four, are closed, and final accounts made up, a gang of ten men being sufficient to keep ahead of the water as it is let down.

The Waikoura aqueduct is finished less a few planks, sluice gate, and shoot. Almost all the timber for Henderson's Gully is to hand, and the work of erection is being rapidly pushed 011. Frew's Gully aqueduct will be completely finished within a fortnight, and the Italian tunnel will also be completed by that time. At the reservoir the puddle trench will be excavated in a day or two, and the contractor for filling iu the embankment is to commence work on Monday first. The head works are in every way satisfactory, a superabundance of water being always available. At present the water is let down as far as Mr. Peter Aitcheson's. I have, &c., D. A. M'Leod, Engineer.

The following further report was also also read, and referred to the Waterworks Committee : Oamaru, ISth June, 1579. To his Worship the Mayor and Councillors. Gentlemen, —In connection with oar Waterworks, which are now hastening to completion, I have the honor to bring under your notice the advisability of taking into your consideration the matter of supplying the whole of the Awamoko, Papakaio, Landon, and Oamaru plains with a supply of water from our works, for irrigation and other purposes. In originally designing the works, I had this irrigation scheme in view, believing that so soon as we were in a position to supply them, the proprietors and settlers on the plains would only be too glad to avail themselves of a water supply that would at once so materially enhance the value of their lands.

At present these plains may be said to be devoid of water except from wells, the supply from which at any time is limited, and in dry seasons even uncertain, whilst from the northern exposure of the land, and the general dryness of the climate of this district, the crops are liable to failure, and there is always a great scarcity of grass feed from want of sufficient moisture.

Our water-race is quite capable of supplying the wants of the plains in this way, and should those interested desire it, I am quite prepared to submit a scheme for their consideration, which, if carried out, would suit all their requirements. I think it right to bring this now before you, because should such a scheme as I have indicated be entertained, early action ought to be taken, so that the necessary works for distributing the water at the various points might be put in as the works proceed.—l have, &c,, D. A. M'Leod, Engineer.