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WATER SUPPLF FOB, MA.OILL AND
EAST KENSINGTON.
A deputation, oonsfBting of Messrs. B. T.
Smith, M.P., Geo. Stevenson, M.P., W. long
bottom, J.P., E. W. Wright, J. A. HoUeV
w. X. Mallyon, J. H. Trewenick, T. Barnes, T*
Judd, W. 0. tJren, H. Hughes (Mayor of Ken
sington and Norwood), T. Pellew, W. H.
Xaines, ^F. P. Auld, O. Howitt, J. N. Gault,
and W. Murray, waited upon the Commissioner
of Public Works (Hon. H. B. Bright, M.P.) on
Wednesday morning, May 20, respecting a water
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Mr. Smith said he was sate the Commissioner
was aware that the pressure from the present
reservoirs would not give a water supply to
any one residing east of Kensington or in the
v upper part of North Kensington; and the
lower portion of Burnside, with Magill and the
surrounding neighborhood, were badly in want
of water. The people there could only get it at
considerable difficulty, and then it was often
not drinkable. In the summer season water had
to be fetched considerable distances. For
years past the residents had suffered from a
want ©f water. A Committee had been formed,
which had resulted in a scheme being drawn up
which he thought, when the Commissioner and
the Enginoer-iu-Chief had seen it, they would
believe to be feasible for a small sum. The in
habitants of this important district, for a
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this scheme being carried out.
Mr. Weight stated that the want of water
had been felt severely during tfee past summer.
The people of Magill had been put to great
straits. At one time they were dependent
upon a water-cart ; it knocked off, and
another w^ts not forthcoming. The Com
mittee, to which Mr. Smith had referred,
was formed to take steps to obtain a water
supply. m Those people who had provided them
selves with tanks found themselves in no better
position than those who had none, because,
through the drjness of the earth, the
walls of the tanks cracked and the water
ran out. This state of things led the people to
think about obtaining some different source of
supply. He took levels -up the creek for a mile
and a half, and f cuud that at that distance
a good supply could be obtained even in the dry
season. TMswas HorsnalTsCreek,andthe supply
which might be stored would give sufficient
pressure to supply all Mdgili, even as high as
Mr. Auld's house. There was also another
creek, and from the two creeks together
there would be a supply sufficiently large
for all the district, even as far as
the road along which the main was
laid from Glynde into Kensington, thereby
supplying all the inhabitants eastward of that
line ; and, in the event of fire, providing them
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mini uuo wetuis oi excuiguisning it, xney Had
had fires, and had had to let the places burn
because they could not put them out. The
Committee had employed Mr. Murray to take
levels and make calculations, and he had gone
more fully into the matter than he {Mr. Wright)
did.
Mr. W. Mubbay produced a plan showing
ow it was anticipated the work could be done,
and stated that he had gauged the stream, and
found it produced plenty of water for a full,
Bupply for North Kensington and anywhere to'
the west. He had never known the creek re
ferred to run dry. The fall to the East Torrens
Hotel was 230 feet. The cost would be about
£2,000, which would give about 22,009 gallons,
per day.
Mr. Weight said the scheme had been ori
ginated by the Committee at Magill only, they
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joined by their friends from the very large dis
trict of Kensington, and their idea now was,
that as the Government had helped Kensington
they would also feel -disposed to helpMigill.
They would no^hpjriwsrjhey.theyjsould not
only supply Magiit, but also -any place to the
westward at an expense -not exceeding .£20,000
in the whole, and store such a quantity of
water as would secure a supply during the
driest season. The - supply would be
equal to 22,003 gallons for the twenty
four ihoum. The road passed between two
very steep hills, and the stratification
of these hills was favorable to holding water
without much leakage* Thus a reservoir could
be made to help the present one to a very
large extent, at a comparatively small cost.
There would be a fall of 200. feet, sufficient
to supply Kensington, Norwood, and all places
to the westward, and would give a sufficient
head of .water to enable persons to have hoses
for -the prevention of fire. They believed they
would be able to catch 2,500,000 gallons at the
spot referred to.
Mr. Mobbat said this scheme would] give
40,000 gallons a day.
Mr. Stevenson said that some idea had been
expressed, .that this was a private-scheme, but
he considered it one in which the Government
was properly concerned. (Sear.) He also
stated that the water supply to Ken
sington past Clayton Church was. at present
almost a nominal affair. The amount --f. pres-
sure from, -the reservoir was scarcely sufficient
to bring the water up to the Treasurer's house,
although he had high rates to pay, for
which he got very little return. The
same might be said of North Kensington
generally, and there it was no use sinking
wells, as the water in that district was, entirely
brackish. The place kuown as Shipster's Sec
tion was soldafew years ago, but not a single acre
had been built upon, simply for the want of good
water. This was a cheap, simple, and expedi
tious mode of supplying those who paid large
water rates with what they paid for, and he
urged it upon the attention of the Government.
Blr.J.A, Holden had been a resident in
the district for the last fifteen years, and now
lived close to Mr. Glyde, and in the summer
months there was no pressure at all, and
he naturally objected the last time he
paid the rate to being charged in that
manner. He also referred to Shipstei's Sec
tion, and stated that he had allotments
there on which he would build immedi
ately if there was any water ; but he had
sunk a well, and after going down a great
depth got to salt water, and below that he
came to great boulders. This had also been the
experience of others, and showed that it was
the old bed of a salt lake. They were
told that in order to give the people
in Kensington the necessary pressure, it
would be so great at the Port 'and
Glenelg as to burst the pipes, bat if
the water came down frost Magill there
would be a fall of some 400 leet, and
they would thus ease the pressure on the other
pipes. This was worth consideration by the
Government. If the works were carried
through, he was certain it wonld be
remunerative scheme for the Government.
They would not have to pay £20,000 and get
nothing for it, but they might be able to
utilise a large Amount of water which
was now running vast©. The allotments on
ShipBter's Section had been sold at prices from
£30 to £77 an acre for purposes of building, but
not a brick had been put on it merely from the
want of water.
Mr. Mallyon said the rates would cover the
interest on the money expended, so that there
would be no loss.
The Oommissioneb of Public Wobks, in
reply, said he had been somewhat taken by
surprise. If he had been made aware of the
nature of what was suggested he would have
been better able to give the deputation an
answer. Their case appeared to be a very
good one, but in matters of that sort it was ne
oessary thatmoreinformationshouldbe afforded.
Before the Q/nmrnwriAiri; -jAn^ -undertake to do
anything the' scheme would ' have~to be re
ported on by one of their engineering staff.
If the members for this district moved for a
report on the scheme, the Government would
offer, no opposition to such a report being fur
nished by the officers in whose department it
lay. If they left the plan and report with him
they might be some assistance to the officers of
the department. '' '
Mr. Smith thanfced the Commissioner for the
manner ia which he had received them, and the
deputation withdrew.
At the Insolvency Court, on Tuesday,
the further hearing of the chum in the estate of
P. Levi&Co. was. adjourned till Friday, 29th
instant, . .
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