862 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION J. 



including reticulation, to within fifty feet of any dwelling- 

 house would not be likely to exceed £2000, judging from 

 surveys and estimates already made in an average case. The 

 interest on this amount at live per cent, being £100, and 

 allowing for maintenance and supervision another £50, makes 

 the annual cost £150, equal to an average charge of ten 

 shilhngs per head per annum. This, on examination, will 

 probably be found less than the average cost now incurred in 

 those towns where water has to be carted, and then used in a 

 sparing manner. The luxuries of having water for baths, 

 irrigation of gardens, protection from fire, cleansing streets, 

 flushing drains, and the general promotion of health and 

 comfort, now denied, are possible in most cases, and may be 

 obtained bj' a co-operation on the part of the residents, 

 securing a supply covering all private wants and public 

 necessities. It has been ascertained that the cost for a supply 

 of water ranges from 30s. for cottages to £12 a year for large 

 houses — or an average of £3 — when, if a scheme were 

 instituted as suggested, the cost would be lessened twenty -five 

 per cent., and all the luxuries of an ample supply substituted. 



The foregoing is only given as a supposititious case, and 

 as being reasonably possible. Every town, and each case of 

 water supply, must be dealt with on its merits, and according 

 to circumstances. 



To secure united action there should be some general 

 obligations enforced by central authority. It is at present 

 evident that as long as it is optional with rural communities 

 to adopt or reject any proposals for sanitary reform orimproved 

 water supply, very little will be done. The subject is one which 

 should not be hghtly passed over by those who are interested, 

 and it is desirable that every town board should take some 

 initiative steps to ascertain whether the supply of water to the 

 residents can be improved upon, obtaining for them increased 

 advantages and a probable saving to their pockets. 



In one or two cases, where a river flows through or near a 

 town, pumping machinery has been resorted to. A turbine 

 is erected in close proximity to a mill weir, and water is forced 

 into tanks erected on staging at the principal cross roads. 

 This, it is stated, gives every satisfaction. A rate of 8d. in the 

 pound is struck to cover interest on outlay and for repairs, and 

 is contributed by fifty or sxtiy residents. This is a commend- 

 able attempt in its way, but the cost of carting from the tanks 

 must also be taken into account in ascertaining the total 

 expense. It is not everyone who possesses a horse and cart, 



