458 REPORT — 1873. 



works are easily accessible for examination and repair, and are less costly 

 than the mode previously described. 



Overflow and waste channels also require special attention in their con- 

 struction, on account of the difficulty which is sometimes experienced of 

 passing flood-water from sudden and unusual storms. 



The great height from which the water has to be conveyed renders it diffi- 

 cult to deal with. The water has to be received above the reservoir, and 

 conveyed down to the stream in the valley below, a height in some cases 

 exceeding 100 feet. During this fall it attains considerable velocity, and 

 passes with great force. 



The mode of construction which has been adopted in some cases is to form 

 the waste channel in such a way that the water shall be let down by a series 

 of short vertical falls, the bottom of the channel being so made as to give no 

 increase of velocity to the water as it flows along. These falls are formed by 

 walls buUt across the bottom of the channel, circular or otherwise, on plan, the 

 tops of the walls being in every case higher than the bottom of the channel — the 

 efl"ect of these walls being that the velocity acquired by the water in passing 

 one fall is not continued and increased at the next, the water held back by 

 the wall forming a pool, which simply overflows at the fall next below. 

 These pools have the further efl'ect of protecting the stonework of the bottom 

 of the channel from the force of the water falling upon it, and the water is 

 made to receive its own force when passing along the work. 



The importance and value to Bradford of a supply of soft water is very 

 great, a large proportion of the water being used far trade purposes, for 

 washing wool, and for dyeing, &c., for which hard water would be of much 

 less value. 



The town has had the benefit of a constant service at high pressure for 

 some years past, and has become rather exacting and particular. 



The intermittent supply of many large towns would be altogether unsatis- 

 factory here, after the constant supply under high pressure to which the 

 inhabitants have become accustomed. 



A new use of water is gradually being introduced. The water is being 

 taken direct from the street mains, and employed for working water-pressure 

 engines. These engines are becoming numerous, and are likely to be exten- 

 sively used for working warehouse cranes, and for many other purposes where 

 only light work is required. They appear to have many advantages as com- 

 pared with steam, where one or two horse-power at most is wanted : they 

 are always ready for work, they require no special buildings or furnaces, 

 they can be readily applied in any premises without structural alterations 

 and without increasing the danger from fire, and are very simple and easy 

 to work. 



The prices at which water is sold for trade are very low. It is sold by 

 measure ; and the prices range from Is. down to 2cl. per 1000 gallons. 



The value of the waterworks to the town has been very great. The trade 

 of the district could not have been developed to the same extent^ without 

 them, and the whole of the property of the town is increased in value 

 by them. 



