144 Transactions. 



tlie surface drainage, instead of allowing it to become stagnant and putrid 

 in the back yards of the bouses, or to form offensive pools in the street 

 gutters. And, by way of compensation for this expense, Cbristcburcb has 

 a magnificent and unfailing water supply in her artesian wells, the water 

 being met with at from 60 to 90 feet below, and rising to a tolerably 

 uniform level of 25 feet above, high watermark ; the artesian water through- 

 out the greater part of the town rising several feet above the surface. It 

 is worth noticing, that the artesian water was tapped first in Christchurch, 

 10th February, 1864. 



If, however, we can say but little in praise of the sanitary arrangements 

 of our towns so far as drainage is concerned, there are other points on which 

 satisfactory progress has been made. A fair number of the streets in our 

 towns are formed to their permanent levels, and metalled either with shingle 

 or broken stone ; and in Christchurch and Lyttelton the principal streets 

 are provided with paved gutters, and raised footpaths paved with gas tar 

 concrete, which appears to answer well, and not to be injured by the heat of 

 the sun as is the case in hotter climates. 



Near most of the towns of the province, suitable plots of ground have 

 been set apart for cemeteries, so as to avoid, from the first, the evils attend- 

 ant on intramural burials, and the care taken of these cemeteries is a 

 pleasing circumstance connected with their management. 



Introdtjction of G-as. — It may be mentioned that the streets of Christ- 

 church were first lighted with gas, 13th December, 1865. 



Li&HTHOTTSES. — The lighthouse at G-odley Head, at the entrance of 

 Port Lyttelton, v^^as first illuminated] 31st March, 1865. This makes the 

 seventh light on the New Zealand coasts, in addition to the harbour 

 lights. 



I have extended this address so much beyond my original intention, that 

 I can only now glance at a few miscellaneous subjects. 



Iboist Poundikg. — It is Avorth recording, that iron-founding was com- 

 menced in Christchurch, by Mr. John Anderson, in May, 1857, at his 

 establishment in Cashel Street, which has now attained considerable im- 

 portance in New Zealand, and offers great facilities for the construction of 

 almost all kinds of mill work and machinery. 



Empiotmeb't op Steam Power. — Steam power has been employed to 

 a very considerable extent for some years past, for various purposes. 



The necessities of the "Western gold fields have led recently to the erec- 

 tion of several powerful engines in the neighbourhood of Hokitika, which 

 are employed in draining the deep sinkings, and raising water for gold 

 washing. 



The Lyttelton Times |has been printed by steam power since October, 



