6
THE ESTIMATES.
MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council met on Saturday afternoon to resume consideration of the Estimates for the year 1889. The Colonial Secretary (Hon. F. Stewart) pre- sided, and there were also present Hon. J. Russell, Acting Chief Justice; Hon. E. L. O'Malley, Attorney-General; Hon. H. E. Wode- house, Acting Colonial Treasurer, Hon. W, M. Deane, Captain Superintendent of Police, Hon, P. Ryrie, en, Wous Bhing, Boa, Bell-Irving, Han, B. Layton, and Mo. Beil, Obik al Councils.
ΑΝ ΕΧΡΣΑΝΑΤΙΟΝ.
Hou. J. BELL-IRVING said he wished, before the Committee proceded farther, to refer to some remarks he made at the last meeting with refe. rence to the forts. It had been pointed out to him that these remarks might possibly be misinter- preted. He wished to explain that he had no iutention whatever of reflecting in any way on the construction of the forts in the remarks he made. What he meant was that owing to the dilatoriness in the despatch of the long-promised guns the forts were decaying with old age while waiting for their armanients. He was assured by the highest military authorities that the forts were, however, in an excellent state of pre- servation.
The CHAIRMAN said he bad rather expected this explanation, although he was quite satisfied at the time of what Mr. Bell-Irving meant and that he did not intend to make any reflection on the construction of the forts.
Hon. J. BELL-IRVING said he thought it possible that some of the members might have misunderstood him.
THE TYTAM WATER WORKS. The CHAIRMAN, with reference to Mr. Layton's request at the last meeting for a detailed account of the expenditure in connec tion with the Tytam Water-works, said that such an account was being prepared and would be published, but in the meantime an account showing the principal items could be had.
The following is the account laid on the table. Cost of Reservior and Byewash,... £94,565 360 Cost of Tunuel,
Cost of Conduit & Tank...
46.158 05 39,272 50
Grand Total Cost of Tytam
Water-works,
£169,996 15 The SURVEYOR-GENERAL said an account:· would be published in the fullest detail and sub- mitted to a future mosting. He did not suppose the Committee wished to have all the minor items.
Hon. B. LATTON said he was not interested to know all the minor items, bat he thought an ac- count showing the principal details would be in- teresting to the public
The CHAIRMAN asked if the Surveyor-General had any remarks to make with respect to the ex- penditure on the waterworks.
The SURVEYOR-GENERAL said he merely wished to mention that although there had been an excess of $80,000 on the original estimate the cost was still very far below the average cost of similar works at home, comparing the price per inhabitant of every thousand gallons delivered in towns. He held in his hand a return showing, the cost of every thousand gallons per inhabitant in the principal cities in England which had founded waterworks, aud hefound the costinovery case very much higher than it was here. Hequoted a list of towns in which the price per thousand gallons per iuhabitant ranged from £3 15%. to £6. 7s., whereas here it was as low as £1 88., so that compared with the average cost of water- works in England the expenditure ou the Tytam works was very satisfactory.
The CHAIRMAN said he had an extract from a report by Sir Robert Rawlinson to the Crown Agents on the Tytam works, which was as fol- lows The cost of the works is much less than the average cost of similar works in Eugland, which is about £120,000 for each million gallons supplied per day. At 2 million gallons per day, which the Tytam works will supply, the cost would be £300,000. But these works hare only | cost say £170,000, or £130,000 less than Eng-
lish works. The Tytam works have not only!
C. 0.
25850
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cost less than the average of English works but they are much more permante DEC 48, ing of masonry in place of earthwork. The dam wall is founded deep into granite, and is con- structed throughout of granite and the best; Portland cement. The entire seat of the wall and area of the roservoir is on granite. The outlet tunnel is also through granite, so that the heaviest deluges of rain will not injuriously af fect the works. The water flowing from granite will be soft and pure, well adapted for all domes- tic and also manufacturing purposes, and being at high service may be made use of for fire extinguishing purposes. I do not see any ex- travagance in any of the prices when site, cli- mate, and distance from England are considered." Hou. B. LAYTON said he did not think that the expenditure on the works was too large con- sidering their nature. He simply asked for the account because, as it was a very important work and necessarily involving a considerable outlay, the public would wish to know in detail bow the money went, just as they would in the case of all public works. He did not think that any one who had seen the Tytam works would con- sider the cost extravagant compared with wor's of a similar character at home; he merely wanted to know how the money wont with reference to the various important it is and to get an idea of the cost of the separate ranches.
The CHAIRMAN asked whether the hon. gen. tleman considered the account now submitted sufficient or whether he wanted a more detailed | statement.
Hou. B. LAYTON said the amount seemed to him sufficiently detailed as regarded the import- ant items of expenditure. He repeated that it was an important work and one of great interest, and it was a highly satisfactory work, very cheap as compared with anything of the same kind that could be done at home, and probably far better in quality.
PREMIUM ON LAND SALES.
The CHAIRMAN said Mr. Byrie had asked for a return at last meeting of the receipts from premiums on land sales. He had got the details under this head from 1882, showing a total of $425,788.
THE SURVEFOR-GENERAI'S DEPARTMENT, The CHAIRMAN said there were a number of increases in salaries in the department, amounting in all to about $9,000 in connection with officials transferred to the Surveyor-General's Depart- ment from the Tytam Water-works. For in- stance, Mr. Orange and several others would be transferred to the Public Works as soon as the pre- sent work was finished, and there were a number of similar items in connection with the Sanitary Department.
Hon. J. BELL-TRVING asked the reason why the office of First Clerk of Works had been abo- lished.
The CHAIRMAN said it came to be a question whether they should retain the office of Firat Clerk of Works or appoint an officer called the Quantity Surveyor, and the Surveyor-General made out a very good case for the latter course showing that such an officer, a man responsible for measurements of works, was very necessary.
The SURVEYOR-GENENAL said the duties of i the Quantity urveyor would be to check all ac- connta.
Ths ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE asked if the i First Clerk of Works did this work previously.
The SURVEYOR-GENERAL said this work was divided among several officials.
Hon. B. LAYTON said he noticed that the Quantity Surveyor got a considerably larger sa- lary than the First Clerk of Works.
The SURVEYOR-GENERAL said the work was more important.
THE FIRE BRIGADE. The CHAIRMAN asked if Mr. Price could tell them what difference the Tytam water supply would make as regards tires. The Superintend ent of the Brigade seemed to think it would be of little advantage.
The SURVEYOR-GENERAL said there would be a clear advantage inasmuch as there would be full mains under pressure instead of empty ones. Hon. P. RYRIE-It has been several times mentioned that we were to have separate fire- mains.
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