DUNEDIN WATER WORKS COMPANY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 808, 23 July 1864, Page 5

DUNEDIN WATER WORKS COMPANY.

A public meetins to promote the objects of the Dunedin Water Works Company, was held on Thursday afternoon, in the Masonic Hall, Princes street.' There was a very fair attendance.

Mr E. B. Carqill, who was in the chair, said that it was intended his place should be filled by Mr Paterson, the Provincial Secretary, but a note had beeu received, stating that that gentleman was very unwell, and unable to be present. The meeting had been called in the hope that the public might be incited to give a hearty support to the Company. He hoped the result would be that the Company could go on at once. It was absolutely necessary that the full support of the public should be obtained, in order to bring the Company into existence at once.

Mr TAiNE,,the Secretary, read the following report:— , REPORT OP THE PROVItIONAIi DIRECTORS OP THE DUHEDIN WATER-WORKS OOMPAKY, 21st July, 1864. " The Provisional Directors of the Dunedin Water-Works Company having met with sufficient encouragement from the public at large, to induce them to make afinal'effjrt to organise the company, have called the present meeting, to lay before it a report of the progress made, and to appeal to it and to the public generally for further support, so that they may place the affairs of the company on a firm and secure basis,'and be enabled to proceed with and complete the contemplated works without delay. "In October last, the formation of the present Company was first mooted, and the projectors received "the promised support of a considerable , number of influential gentlemen. "On the22nd of that month, the Provincial Government were informed that a Waterworks' Company was in progress of formation, and application was made for the Government guaran-^ tee of six.per cent, in terms of the resolution of the Provincial Council.

"On the 28th October answer was received from the Government, requesting further information before the application, ooold be enter-

tame. Thereupon a voluminous and careful rnport on '.he proposed site, flow of" water, formation of rcservoil-, cost of construction, and various statistic il infsrination, w;:s piepired and forwarded by ftr Drnkin ro the Provincial Government for their inspection. " Th? sit required for the reservoir and it* appv'.r.clies was inspected, and steps were taken to secure f.he offav of th.3 sa.--ae, for the use of the Company from the viriou* proprietor*. lf In January, f=u!ttcier;t preliminary progress had been made to justify the promoters to npply to his Honor the Superintendent to call a publume tine; to assert in the wishes of the inhabitants of the fity of Ounrdin on the su! jiict. The public meeting was lield on the I9t>'^anunry, an! the urgent necessity of a supply of pure water was u.'iaiiiin'iisy admitted, rrovisionnl Directors were appoirstfidj and steps wers immediately iaken to fill up the share list. Mr Donkin. a thor:usrhly qualified gentinman, ffas/ after due inquiry, appointed Engineer. ''Tha ■Eiu'.ineer was inst noted t> inspect the various streams in the neighborhood of Dime !in, and to report thereon, so that the Provisional Directors niinht be placed fuily in possession of the best source or supply. On the 3ri March, a report was received from Mr Donkin of the various streams inspected by him. The site originally selected (Ross's Greek, a branch of the Water of Leith). was found to be, in his opinion, the most, suitable both as regarded purity of water, shortness of distance from Dunedin, and the natural formation of the ground being adapted for the econo mical construction of a reservoir : more especially as the: proposed site is of sufficient elevation to supply the city at high pressure without the use of any artificial appliances; consequently the necessary wor*s will be of a simple and most inexpensive d: scription. The Provisional Directors visited the spot selected, and were satisfied that it was most judiciously chosen, and Mr Donkin was instructed to prepare detailed plans, sections and levels, and to report aerain when ready. During this time the Provisional Directors (so anxious were they "to bring the matter to a successful issue) cativassgd the city from house to house to induce the inhabitants to support the company by taking sufficient shares to enable the directors to organise the company, and complete the undertaking. At this time (March 3) deposits had been paid on 940 shares, and promises had been made for about 700 in addition;

"The Directors felt justified in taking further steps, and applied to Dr hector to favor them with an analysis of the water. Oh the 2nd May they received from him a most minute and valuable report, to the effect that the water wa« innocuous, wholesome, aud especially adapted for domestic use.

"Steps were also taken to have ?the-estimates verified, so that the Directors might be fully warranted ia carryingout the scheme proposed. The Secretary reported an increase in ■ the share list,.and that'deposits had been paid on 1908 shares, and that the promises amounted to 450, making in all 235S shares.' - "A committee was then formed to frame a memorandum of association with a constitution for the regulation of the Company previous to registration. On the 6th June 2023 shares had been applied for, and promises given for 700 in addition, making in all 2723 shares. The Directors then resolved to proceed; a draft act was prepared, embodying all the necessary .clauses for a Water Company; plans, and specifications were made,for the guidance of contractors previous to advertising for tenders, for pipes, fire pugs, valves, br inches, &c , &c. A scheme forming part of the original plan to supply the main thoroughfare of the city, including the Exhibition Building with water, within a period of six months, has also been under the conside ration of the Directors.

"On the ii7fch June the Directors forwarded Mr Donkins' detailed plans and estimates to the Provincial Government for their approval. The Provincial Government submitted these to J. T. Thomson, Esq., C.E., for his professional opinion. On the sth July answer was received from the Provincial Government that the Government generally approved of the plans of t\:e Dunedin Water Works Company, and that they will consider the Company entitled to the guarantee under authority of the Ordinance of 1863, on condition that—firstly, that the Government reserve the right to have the Works carried on under the inspection of a Government Engineer;— secondly, that the Government have pawer to determine the rate at which consumers shall be supplied with water. "On the 7th July the Secretary wrote to the Government in reference to the promised guarantee of eight per cent, passed at the close of the recent sitting of the Provincial Council, and has received a reply thereto, in which-the Government have intimated that they will introduce a Bill at the next session of the Provincial Council in order that the guarantee of eight per cent, may be practically carried into effect. " All that, now remains to be done to commence the works is to fill the shire list. The matter rests entirely with the public. The Directors trust they have done their duty, an<*. make this appeal publicly to the inhabitants of this city, hoping that it will be answered promptly, so tha , there may be no further delay, and that the works , may be, forthwith commenced. The Directors will not hesitate in proceeding if 3500 shares are taken up; and they trust the small additional number required will be immediately applied for, especially when the Government guarantee of eight per cent renders the undertaking certainly remunerative from the commencement. (Signed) "E. B. Cargill, . " Chairman." Dr. Hector moved — 11 That it is an absolute necessity for the welfare of the city of iJunedin, that an abundant supply of water should be speedily introduced, both on account of the health of its inhabitants, and the risk from fire attached to a city built chiefly of wood." They were not in possession of statistics clearly to chow the injury to tha inhabitants from the want of water-supply and drainage; but the necessity of such works might be clearly proved, from their sanatary effects in other towns. It was the duty of every community to provide against the evils consequent upon a dense population. After illventilated rooms, there was probably nothing that so much affected the health a3 a bad supply of water. An unlimited supply of water was the best aid tdwarJs fostering sober and cleanly habits; while uncleanly habits always encouraged dissoluteness and other attendant evil*. Drainage was impossible, unles* there was a good supply of water to carry off the sewerase. The average annual quantity of excrementitious matter in IJunedin amounted to about 20,000 ton.v and nearly the whole of it was now lying1 in and about our dwellings and producing disease, and on that ground alone the demand was urgent for an ample supply of water. The returns of sickness and death were not [the abs9lute tests ot the baneful effects of the want of a supply of water. The influence of effete matters in causing lassitude in otherwise vigorous persons could hot be over-estimated. How much more injurious must be the effect of using water which contained deleterious properties in solution. He was therefore sure that all would ag^ee with him, that as a sanatary measure a good supply of water was absolutely neces'a'-y. The increase of population had been so rapid here, that no blame could be attached to any one for the present state of things; but attention having been called to the state of matters, it would be disgraceful if there wa* now continued neglect. In Liverpool, the introduction of a supply of water resulted in a reluction ot the death-rate from 38 to 24 per thousand, which gave an actual saving of life to the extent of 3800 every year. With regard to the mortality in Dunedin, Mr Gillies had placed in his hands a return of the deaths from January to July of last year, as compared with the mortality during the same period of this year, from which it appeared that during the latter period the number of deaths had nearly doubled. From January to July, 1863, the deaths numbered 233, but for the corresponding period of this year it was 404, while in 1862 the deaths for the same period were but 143. That indicated clearly that there was some cause operating to produce disease. The general effect of defective water supply was to increase the number of deaths, _ and to that cause must the greater mortality be attributed. But while it was wise to increase the supply of water, it should be done in the best manner, and therefore perhaps he might be allowed to say a few words explanatory of the geological characteristics of Dunedin. Dunedin was situated In a tertiary basin, and but for certain peculiarities might very easily have been supplied with water by means of artesian wells—in the same way as London was at jne time or Paris—but there had been nt different periods considerable volcanic action, wbich having broken up the basiii in severals places, the prospect of obtaining good water by means of artesian wells was less promising. But while the supply of water from these sources was problematical, undoubtedly there were a great many springs at a high level from which a large supply of water could be procured. Still the surface drainage would have to be relied upon to a certain extent, and it must be borne in mind that from well-known meteorological causes, the the supply from this source would be materially affected ay the removal of

the timi er. lie therefore strongly recommended the Company to rake ste <s to guard ngainst the wholesale destruction of the timbera. Wir.h res-p.*ct to the quality of the water, 'be had tes'ed it, and ct>rap--.ve'd with' the best waters" at home, he thought it woul 1 tike the fourth place—thofe which higher being Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Pert!). As to the a'ivania-.^ of a fall sir-ply in c ses of fire, it. was so palpable th:\t njthing need be said- the present means were har-'ily equal to those employed by the Lilliputinj's as rlpscril»e*l in the pagss of Gulliver. Mr Vi gel briefly seconded ti>e resolution. Tlip Ghai am put the resolution to the meeting, ami it was carrie'l una?.imous'y. Mr "asper, on moving the lepcand resolution, said that there wns no necessity for him to repeat the arguments which hn«i been urged ; bur, before making further remarks,, he would move the resolution, which was as follows : — " That tbis meeting, recognising the importance of a supply of pure ' water to the city of Dunedin, and believing that the pr jscted Waterworks Company will ba the most efiecr.ml means of conferring this advantage on the inhabitants, and at rhe sani \ time most economical, hereby pledges itself to use strenuous exertion to procure additional shareholders, so as to enable the works ti be spnedi y com-aenced." Why, when there was .8 per cent, guaranteed upon the outlay, there should be any shares undisposed of, was to him a paradox, but it was a fact that many remained on himl. Several objections had been raised, but. none of them were well founded. Some objected to take shares from fear of loss; but as much, loss as the cost of the works miiht result from the first .fire. Nothing had afforded him more pleasure for some time than the remarks made by Dr Hector. His remarks showed that the whole scheme was tangible. He (Mr Casper) knew that every difficulty had been thrown in the way of the members of the directory, who had taken much trouble to attain success, but he by no means saw the least parallel between the circumstances of that and another company, whose ill success had bsen pointed at by several as a reason for their not taking shares in this. So far from showing anything against this company, it might be urged that experience made fools wise. Next it was said the work could not be executed for the money, but he held in his hand an offer to do the work for tbe sum named,by the engineer. But here, as elsewhere, he might state that the contractors would be requested to take shares in'the Company as part payment'for the work. He found that in Dunedin there- were about 4000 houses which, supplied with water at the smallest possible compulsory rate which the Government would sanction, say one shilling a week, would bring in Llb.ooo a year, which, in his opinion, woald be a remunerative return for the capital invested. .He had great pleasure in • recimmending the' adoption' of the resolution. ■ Mr Reynolds, lrTsecoriding the resolution, regretted that the directors had not met with the ready co operation of the inhabitants ot the town. He believed there were 3500 shares to be taken up, He thought there could be no doubt but the Company, if established, would prove a profitable one. He had no doubt that if they started with sufficient capital, in less than two years the shares would he selling at thiee times their cost. The resolution was put and carried. Mr Lazakus moved the third resolution, as follows: — ■ " That the thanks of this meeting be given to the Provincial Government for their promised assistance and co-operation in the introduction of a water supniy into the <ity." , t Mr Bathgate, in a few words, seconded the resolution, which was put to the meetirg and carried. Mr Hepburn, movd the fourth resolution— " That the thanks of this meeting be given to the Provisional Directors of the Dunedin Water Works Company for the time and attention already devoted by them towards the establishment of the Company." The resolution was seconded by Mr Mills, and carried unanimously. Mr Casper proposed the fifth resolution— " That the directors call a meeting of the shareholders for- Ist August, 1884, in order that such meeting may determine when the share list shall be closed, and for such other business aa may occur." The res lution was seconded by Mr Vogbl. Mr Tuhnbctlli suggested thit it would be better to make *he date1 the 15th August. The Chairman said that as the meeting was a public meetiner, and not a meeting of shareholders, tbe resolution was hardly in order ; and it would be better that it should be considered in the light of a recommendation than as a resolu - tion. Mr Casper agreed with the suggestion, and j altered the terms of the resolution in accordance with it. . . It was then passed unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings.