244
year.
The work of laying and jointing these pipes should commence early nex
SICKNESS.
Throughout the whole of the Summer work was much hampered by fever and sickness.
The sickness would probably have been greater but for the precautions that have been taken.
The sites on which the matsheds are built have been thoroughly drained by surface channels, all trees and undergrowth have been removed from these sites, and the nullahs in the neighbourhood roughly trained.
Jeyes' fluid is liberally used in the latrines and cook-houses, and every effort is made to induce the coolies to regularly take quinine which is supplied to them free of charge. The question of a Chinese Licentiate of Medicine resident on the works was considered and has since become an accomplished fact
91. Tytam Tuk Scheme. Second Section.-The trial works described in last year's report as being in progress with a view to the construction of a large dam below Taitam Tuk, were brought to a conclusion on the 10th October, 1904.
Solid rock was reached in No. 2 Well at a depth of from 62 to 65 feet. This completed the necessary information for a preliminary estimate for a dam on the most seaward site. The accumulated information from prickings, borings and wells, shows that the solid rock on this site lies at a general level of 65 feet below Ordnance Datum, and that for a dam here a water-tight diaphragm would have to be carried down to this depth. The main body of the dain would rest on the surface of a bed of nearly water-tight clay which lies all over the site at a depth of from 24 to 28 feet below Datum. This bed of clay lies upon a stratum of shingle at a depth of from 42 to 45 feet below Datum. The clay varies considerably in quality, some layers of it being rendered porous by the admixture of sand and stones. But the continuity and water-bearing nature of some layers of this bed was shown by the fact that the level of the water inside the No. 1 Well, which reaches a depth of 34 feet, was lowered to some extent by the action of one sma!! pump in the No. 2 or No. 3 Wells, 170 feet distant. A dan on this site would have a length of 550 feet at the base and 780 feet at the crest, which would be 135 feet above the level of the rock. In addition to this there would be a bye-wash of of say 300 ft.
Three more wells were sunk on a line about 700 feet landward of the one above-described. Similar strata were encountered in this case, and the rock was found to lie at a depth of from 45 to 54 feet below Datum A dam on this site would be 880 feet in length at the base, nud 1,285 feet at the crest, which would be 120 feet above the level of the rock. In addition to this there would be a bye-wash of say 300 ft. A dam here would therefore be as costly as one on the other site and would entail a considerable loss of storage capacity, and some loss of catchment area.
92. Rider-Main System.-The Assistant Engineer and Overseer especially appointed for this work arrived in the Colony in the Spring and until August the time was occupied with preliminary work in connection with the scheme generally. There will probably be & Districts in all included in it. On August 9th the area now known as No. Rider-Main District was declared by the Governor-in-Council to be a rider-main district.
Tenders were called for and the work was commenced on August 15th.
Fair progress has been made with laying the mains and the services to the frontages of the properties to be served. The disconnection and reconnection of services were commenced during November.