THE WATERWORKS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1200, 20 February 1880, Page 2

THE WATERWORKS.

The following report from the Engineer was read at last night's meeting of the Municipal Council: — i I have the honor to report on the waterworks as follows—

The Black Point section is in very good iorder, and running full to the Awamoko River.

At the pond we are at present scouring out the silt left by last year's flood. Although the river has been fully at ordinary flood level, it has not damaged :our works in the slightest degree. And, indeed, to-day it i 3 higher than it has yet been this season, but there is no prospect of any harm being done.

On the Awamoko section we are running only about nine inches of water, as the property-owners below the Waikoura were complaining of the water overflowing their ; crops, and in one case, to avoid claim for Idamages, we cut dowii and secured for the some six acres of oats with our .surface-men. Henderson's gully aqueduct is still un'jcompleted for want of timber; but the •'timber may be expected to arrive in about 'a fortnight. On the Papakaio section almost all the jlioles in the race are filled in and put in !order, and the unfinished parts of the race, 'with the exception of Ross' paddock, are 'being put in working order.

On the Landon section the contractor for securing the Italian tunnel is making fair progress. Mr. Days, contractor for the big rock flume, has got all his timber to hand, and will commence the work of erection almost immediately.

At the reservoir, the contractor, Mr. Walace, has taken away a considerable number of his men and horses, ostensibly for harvesting purposes, much to the detriment of the work. Part of the connection work between the valve tower and tunnel had to be taken up, but this is now being put to rights by the contractor at his own expense.

The lower valves and inlet pipes are now in position. From Grant's tunnel to the reservoir we have now a good supply of water running, and the water presently lying at the bottom of the reservoir will be done away with in a day or two. In the matter of pipe testing, I only propose to test the large main pipe thoroughly. All the others I should only test a percentage of—say five per cent, or so. Some of the valves also should be tested.

I am quite confident, if money were now available, the works could be finished within foq? months.