144
96
97
( 12 )
Q-Fifteen gallons per head per diem is rather a small estimate, is it not?
A-It is considered a good allowance for ordinary purposes. If you include manufacturing purposes, of course it is not, but for domestic purposes it is considered a liberal allowance. In fact, ten gallons per head is a good allowance.
Q-In how many years in the past, has the supply of water been insufficient to meet the demand ?
98
99
100
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
A-How far back do
you
wish to go?
Q-As far back as you like.
A-The information is not available for any period further back than 1890 since when regular reports have been made.
Q-Say then for the last five years?
A-I could ascertain that.
By the Chairman.-Could you give us a return showing how often we have been put on an intermittent supply, and, if possible, what the reasons were ?*
A-Yes.
By Mr. MASTER.These pipes you say were constructed for a continuous supply and are ill adapted for an intermittent supply. Has anything been done to alter that state of things?
A-You can't do anything of a temporary nature to alter it, it would be such an enormous expense.
Q-But can it not be done?
A-New mains of large diameter can be laid but it would be an unwise thing to do unless it were intended to adopt the intermittent system perpetually.
Q-Can nothing be done by means of pumping engines to give a greater force, and so force the water higher?
A-We are using the pumping engine now for the higher levels-the Peak pump- ing engine.
Q-Is that the only pumping engine?
A-Yes.
Q-Is there any reason why that engine should not be available for pumping water to the higher levels of the City ?
A—The water to the higher levels of the City is ordinarily pumped by hydraulic The engine only requires to be used in such cases as the present. All the
motors.
rest of the City is supplied by gravitation.
Q-Is the sinking of Artesian wells quite out of the question here?
A-There would be no use, I think, in attempting it owing to the geological forma- tion. That is my own opinion, but I am not a sufficient geologist to say positively.
Q-There has never been any attempt or experiment ?
A--I am not aware of any.
Q-How much water is there at present? How long will it last this winter according to your present returns?
A-On 25th November the quantity in the reservoirs totalled 218,000,000 gallons as nearly as possible. The rate of consumption for the two preceding weeks on the
* See Appendix No. 6.
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