THE POSITION AT RICCARTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11504, 28 September 1915, Page 2

THE POSITION AT RICCARTON.

HIGH-PRIvSSITRE W'TER SUPPLY SCHEME DROPPED. The Firo Prevention Committee of tho Riccarton Borough Council reported at last night's meeting of tho council that owing to the enormous increase in the cost of material, -as a result, of the war, tho committee considered it 1 inadvisable to proceed further with tho high-pressure wator supply of the borough in the meantime. Councillor A. I). Ford saiel that the committee had considered tho matter, and it had decided that the only suitable means of tire prevention for tho boroutih was n high-pressure water supply with hydrants, and not a steam plant. The committee had obtained estimates for proceeding with, the work, and there had been such an enormous increase in tho price that the commit,teo could not recommend the council to proceed with the work. Councillor. A. E. Steero said that lie was disappointed with the report, and would like the committee to place something definite before the, council as to what tho increases in the prices really amounted to. Councillor Forel replied that under normal conditions the cost of the. work would be about £IO,OOO, but now it would be between £25,000 and £30,000. Councillor W. Dal ley asked if the Firo Board would accept a. guarantee from the council, and attend fires in the borough. Councillor J. Munnings replied that the board would not attend fires outside the city except to public institutions. After further discussion the report was adopted unanimously. .