Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 613

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gauge, is intended to measure smaller flows, with greater precision than the large flood-gauge is capable of doing. Each of these gauge-weirs should be provided with a self-recording instrument, with clock-work, giving a continuous record of the depth of water passing over each gauge. The object now is to obtain an estimate of the total water, flowing off from the whole area; including moderate floods. Now, during floods, the rate of flow varies from hour to hour, so much so that daily measurements are most misleading. A continuous record is, therefore, essential to accuracy.

Steps should at once be taken to obtain proposals and quotations for the first pumping-engine. The best procedure in such cases is to draw up a Preliminary Specification, setting forth merely the work which the engine is to do, and the general conditions under which it is to be performed.

Then call upon a

number of Firms, who make a speciality of such work, to make proposals. Having obtained proposals, let the best design be selected on its general merits, and not merely with regard to cost. Having selected the design, then let details be arranged. and a final plan and specification be drawn up.

I have already furnished the Director of Public Works with the necessary specifi- cation. If this be transmitted to the Crown Agents for the Colonies, the proposals will be ready for my consideration, on my return, and I shall then be able to report, finally, as to cost.

At or about the same time, the surveys will have made sufficient progress, to, enable the Director of Public Works to submit a preliminary Design and Estimate of cost.

At the same time, let pipes be ordered. As the pressure, in parts at least. is somewhat great (400 feet), and as the ground over which they have to be laid is rugged, I am under the impression that steel or wrought-iron piping will be suitable, on account of its lightness, and of the ease with which it can be jointed. The best plan, however, will be to obtain preliminary tenders both for steel and cast- iron piping.

ment of

14. The Pumping-plant and piping being procured, let them be erected and First instal- laid forthwith. The large reservoir will doubtless take at least two years to work. construct. To realize some benefit, at the earliest date, let a small temporary dam be constructed, at some convenient spot, and from it to the permanent pumping- station, let a temporary conduit be laid.

If these operations be carried out with expedition, it will be possible to obtain some additional water, during the dry season of 1903-4.

the proposed

15. It is evident that the Water-question is pressing. It is one which should take General precedence of all other sanitary improvements, such as those of sewerage and drain- remarks on age. The defects, which I have mentioned in connection with the latter are productive scheme. of nuisances, but are not menaces to health, certainly not in comparison with the present water-famine cholera is at present in our midst. May this not be due to the fact that, owing to the scarcity of water-works water, people are collecting water from all sorts of places, such as nullahs and streams, obviously open to contamination? The actual scarcity of water is not the only, indeed, the principal menace to the public health. The intermittent system, under which the mains are emptied, for a considerable portion of each day, makes it possible for contamination to find its way into the mains. If. by any mischance, the bacillus of cholera were to find its way into the mains, the consequences might be grave. An incident, similar to that which occurred at Maidstone, might occur. Consequently every effort should be made to obviate the necessity for the intermittent system: and, as this cannot be done at once, steps should be taken to render the intermittent system as little objectionable as possible, in the manner suggested in a previous report.