BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 637, 27 February 1879, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Water Supply.

A Committee of the whole Oouncil was I convened last evening, at the Council - Chamber, to receive a second report L supplied by Mr. Black, and to consider t upon the same, and, if found expedient, I to determine and act. , Present : Councillors Townley, Adair, J Carlaw Smith, Morgan, Walker, and - Clayton. , In the absence of His Worship the ; Mayor, Councillor Townley was voted • to the chair. After the usual prelimit naries were gone through, the following ■ report was read : — Sir,— Agreeable to your request, I J have visited the Ormond district with J the view of obtaining a water supply, 5 and beg to submit the following report on the subject : — The Waipao River runs at a very low level all the way down from Ormond, and passes through ground formed by i alluvial deposit, which is easily cut away, ■ and m which the river makes great in- \ roads by undermining and washing away L the banks. Hence it would be a dim'- ' cult matter to select a proper site for the L erection of machinery which would re- • quire to be erected for a water supply from the river. I am informed by trust- . worthy settlers m the district, that during i the winter months the river continues : for long periods quite untit for domestic use, owing to the amount of earthy . matter it contains during floods. On that account this river is not available for a water supply. > The Repongaere Lake is situated m a 1 basin formed m the mountain, situated south-west from Ormond. The extent of the lake at present is one mile long, and three-quarters of a mile wide. The lake has a fiat bottorfi (M over, and the depth of water is four feet. • In the i rainy season the lake rises five feet above its present level. It then discharges down a wide valley, which has an easy incline to the river. The lake is supplied by the rainfall on the surrounding mountains, thq watershed of which, together with the lake, is about 800 acres. By constructing an embankment across the present ©utlets to hold the winter rains there would be sufficient water for a town supply. This embankment would require to be about 250 yards long, and 7 ieet high. Allowing Ormond to be 57 feet above Gisborne, the lake will be 117 feet above Gisborne,' 'and the distance is 10 miles. Owing to the length of pipe, there would not be pressure enough to be effective at fires ; but the water could be raised into' an elevated tank m the town by a small engine or horseworks, and kept for the purpose of extinguishing tires. This would be considerably cheaper m maintenance than lifting the water from the Waimata River, as m that case au engine would require to be constantly at work, and the carriage of fuel would be

expensive. As there are no means of obtaining water from the Waimata river, except by pumping with a steam engine ; and as there are more natural difficulties to overcome m .bringing the water from there, with the cost of a pumping plant, would soon come up to the cost of the extra length of pipe re : quired for the Repongaere Lake. There would also be less risk of pipes breaking, as there are no ranges to cross, or traverse along with pipe track. I would, therefore, recommend you would obtain your water BUpply from Repongaere Lake, as being, all things considered, the cheapest and best. For bringing the water into town, I would, lay 3 miles of 5-inch pipes, 3 miles of 6-inch, and 4 miles of 7-inch, which would amount proximably' to 800 tons, besides the pipes required for ttreets. I am, &c, George Black. Engineer. The report having been read, and discussed at considerable length, Mr. Black, at the wish of the Councillors gave his attendance. The Chairman informed Mr. Black that his report had been read. That the scheme he recommended was altogether too costly and quite out of the question. The Council wished to be informed whether a more practicable, and less expensive scheme, could not be devised. His (Mr. Black's) proposed scheme of a supply from Repongaere Lake would cost probably £20,000 ; and that sum the , Council would not think of giving its assent. It was altogether beyond its reach. The Council would like to know whether a weir ' constructed across the river some three-quarters of a mile up stream, to keep back the saltwater, would not answer. The water could be pumped to the top of a hill into a reservoir, and so find its way into Gisborne through pipes by the force of gravitation. Mr. Biack's reply to this, and other questions bearing on the subject, were m effect as follows : The place at which Mr. Townley proposed a weir, the water would be unfit for use. It would be salt. During freshes it would be thick, turbid, and muddy. The bed of the river would be foul, and would retain the salt of the sea water. He could not recommend the adoption of such a proposal. If, however, adopted, a twelve-horse power steamer would be required to pump the water into a reservior. A. double-action plunger pump would be requisite. A windmill would not posaess enough power to raise the water to the height required. If a weir was constructed higher up the river ; Bay seven miles, the water would be purer. The scheme of placing a weir so low down was not feasible. It would be difficult to prevent the salt water mixing with the fresh. After further discussion, it was arranged that Mr. Black should visit that part of the stream indicated by Councillor Townley, and report upon the probable cost and method to be adopted for raising water to a sufficient height. Mr. Black's professional charge was put m, and read. The amount was £83 58.,,, which included passage from Auckland to Gisborne, and return. It also included Mr. Black's personal hotel expenses. The incidental expenses incurred will be found to be about £15. Total expense for survey, inspection, and reports, £105. Mr. Black will, however, give his professional assistance up to Saturday morning without making any additional charge. The Council separated a little before JOo'clook.