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1898. NEW ZEALAND,

WATER-CONSERVATION (REPORTS ON) FOR MINING, IRRIGATION, DOMESTIC, FIRE EXTINCTION, AND OTHER PURPOSES.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The County Chairman, Thames, to the Hon. the Minister of Mines, Wellington. g ra Thames, 12th October, 1897. I have the honour to address you on the subject of my telegram of the Bth instant—viz., the construction of a water-race to carry ninety or a hundred sluice-heads of water, and I need not assert it would be a work of paramount advantage to this goldfield, and this fact is accentuated by the inadequacy of the present race to meet our requirements. Orders are already given for the construction of three large batteries with all the modern appliances for gold-extraction—the Moanataiari Gold-mining Company, sixty stamps ; the ThamesHauraki Goldfields (Limited), sixty stamps ; the Fame and Fortune, forty stamps. For the first two we have received applications for motive-power, and, if they are to pay, driving by water-power will be the greatest factor to insure success. These applications will be the heralds of many others, and are exclusive of any power which may be required for pumping the deep levels. The scheme for which the Council applies for assistance is quite practicable, and the services of a consulting engineer are sought by advertisement to consider two plans for securing and delivering the supply. One is by an open race with a reservoir at its terminus, the other by a direct delivery through a main to the 'distributing-point in Grahamstown. The Council will necessarily be guided by the advice of its consulting engineer, and the result will be immediately communicated to yon. . , . The Council is fully aware of the grave responsibility involved in the construction of this new race but the future of the field is a consideration which fully justifies the Council in recommending it and the Government in adopting it. Trusting this proposal will secure your approval and its recommendation to your colleagues, I have, &c, T. A. Dunlop, The Hon. Minister of Mines, Wellington. County Chairman.

No. 2. Mr. George Wilson, Inspecting Engineer, to the Undee-Seceetaey, Mines Department, Wellington. g IB _ Mines Department, Wellington, 31st January, 1898. Be low-level water-race from Kauaeranga Creek, for the construction of which the Thames County Council have made application to Government for the expenditure of £57,777 :— As arranged with you, I met Messrs. Dunlop and Hollis, the Chairman and Clerk to the Thames County Council, and conferred about the low-level-water-race scheme. The plans were examined, Mr. E. F. Adams, the engineer, being present to point out various matters m connection with them. The plans have been carefully prepared, and the race is estimated to be capable of supplying eighty sluice-heads of water with a fall of 75 ft. The cost has been estimated on a sound basis, and, in my opinion, the work could be completed for the money. The attached paper furnished by the Council shows that the present race supplies twenty-six sluice-heads of water, the gross revenue from which for the past ten years was £22,428 18s. 7d., or £2,242 per annum, being about £85 per sluice-head per annum. In making the estimate of revenue Mr Hollis shows the yearly value of eighty heads from the new race to be equal to that of forty heads from the old race at £3 per week per head, which would amount to £156 per head per annum. This appears to be excessive, as for ten years past water from the present race has only yielded a gross revenue of £85 per head. The motive-power applied for amounts to thirty-eight heads, and is all for battery purposes; of these batteries, two, the Moanataiari and the Fame and Fortune, are almost completed, and the Thames-Hauraki Company have not as yet opened up the quartz reefs, nor is the erection of the battery commenced.

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In view of the present stage of mining operations, I am doubtful whether or not the whole of the water would be used for any length of time for crushing purposes, even if it were at present available. I would therefore point out that until the development of mines at the Thames clearly shows that a sufficient quantity of payable quartz is available such large expenditure for increased water-power is not warranted, and I am of opinion that for the present a work of this magnitude should not be undertaken by the Government. The plans and report by Adams and Harding I left with the County Council, for which I obtained a receipt from the Clerk. I have, &c, Geo. Wilson, Inspecting Engineer. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 3. Mr. T. Peeham, A.M. Inst. C.E., to the Under-Seceetaey, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — Mines Department, Wellington, 24th June, 1898. According to request by memorandum, dated the 2nd April (Mines 97/895), to continue my last year's reports upon water-conservation works on the gold-fields of the colony, I proceeded on the sth of that month to the Hauraki district as instructed, to examine into the best means of obtaining a supply of water for domestic purposes at the mining townships of Coromandel, Karangahake, Waihi, and Waitekauri, Te Aroha afterwards being included. A report being also required upon the proposed low-level water-race from the Kauaeranga Eiver to be constructed by the Thames County Council, and the work being of a different character to the other matters upon which I have to report, I propose to submit that first, and take the other localities in the order in which they were visited. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. T. Peeham.

Thames County Low-level Water-race. As previously arranged, I placed myself in communication with Mr. Hollis, County Clerk, and after going through the plans (which are produced in a clear and excellent manner) in company with Mr. McLaren, County Engineer, and Mr. Adams, the engineer who surveyed and designed the race as an additional water-power to Grahamstown, I went over the ground with those gentlemen, and made an examination from the intake to the terminal point at Karaka Creek proposed reservoir, to judge of the scheme being practicable. The proposed head-works, with automatic gates, are situated at a convenient rocky point on the right bank of the Kauaeranga Eiver, about three miles from and below the intake of the present high-level water-race, and near Stephen's Hotel, and the race follows generally the surface contour to the proposed reservoir. The gradient is 4 ft. of fall to the mile. The whole of the race is laid out in curves of a fixed radius of 133-5 ft. (which has the advantage that the pipe-sheets may be made to suit short chords, or cut to the curves) where the line is not direct, and the lowest radius used is 202-2 links. The distance from the head to the reservoir is about 5 miles 75 chains, made up as follows: Ground race, length 11,836 ft.; tunnels, length 9,132 ft; flume on ground, length 6,614 ft. ; flume on trestles, length 3,766 ft. The chords, tangents, and straights of the whole race are pegged from end to end, and it is designed to convey 100 cubic feet of water per second— i.e., 100 sluice-heads —and the total available head to high-water mark at Grahamstown is 76 ft. Ample by-washes, and all necessary manholes, valves, &c, are provided at convenient distances for the discharge of surplus water. There is no doubt, I think, that by the employment of tunnels and pipes, although at first cost expensive, instead of all open ditching and box-fluming, thus avoiding a considerable cost in maintenance, that the most direct and finally economical route has been adopted. The country was prospected by Mr. Adams on the left, or opposite, bank of the river to decide any advantages by that route, but the distance found to- be longer and more expensive generally, the sidelings being steep, and the only recommendation the compensation for land taken less in cost. By the selected route the difference in height between the low, or summer, water-level at the head of the race and high-tide level is practically 100 ft. The loss of head by the race is 24 ft., leaving 76 ft. of effective head at Grahamstown. This head is calculated to furnish six hundred effective horse-power for eight months of the year, and is claimed to be a valuable source of supply to the goldfield. Quoting from Mr. Adams re a full delivery by race to the timber booms at Parawai, as against delivery by pipes to the same place: "The pipes necessary to deliver 100 cubic feet per second with a loss of even 37 ft. in friction-head would require to be 5 ft. in diameter, and the cost of work would be at least £10,000 more than by the present scheme, whilst the loss of fall would be more than double the present scheme, which from the booms is 8 ft. The effective head at the booms is 84 ft., so that the loss is 95 per cent, in the two miles distance." This is in favour of delivery by race to Grahamstown, as against the electrical transmission advocated. As before mentioned, the tunnels to gain a direct route and also to avoid loose sidelings, frequent fluming, and consequent heavy maintenance are at first expensive, and with the pipes are the heaviest items in cost of construction. The total estimate for the whole undertaking is £57,777, but I am of opinion the work could be done for a somewhat less amount by making several modifications in the timber, piping, and general details of ironwork. An illustrative sketch-plan (a reduction of the original drawings), showing a longitudinal section and plan of the features of the race, together with the principal details of construction, is attached.

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At the time of my visit, the 20th April, the river-water was very low, certainly not running more than from nine to ten heads, which represented the surplus of the water after serving the high-level race three miles higher up. This race is estimated to convey, generally, twenty-five heads for motive-power to the batteries at the Waiokaraka Flat, but at that time it carried about half. As before remarked, the proposed race is designed to carry a hundred sluice-heads eight months in the year, running day and night, which means there must be 125 heads in the river for that period without the assistance of storage to supply the constant demand, and that for the remaining four months in the year the race would be only one-half full. A good site for a large reservoir is available just below the proposed intake, but the timberfloatage rights would be interfered with, unless at a large outlay flood-gates to release the logs from the dam when required were constructed for the purpose. Information as to an average rainfall in the Kauaeranga Valley is difficult to obtain, no record having been kept, and the absence of maps showing approximately the ridges of watersheds of drainage areas preclude even an average estimate of the mean river-discharge at the point of entry in the race. This being the case, I would suggest that before any work of construction is commenced it should be definitely decided that the water can be stored in sufficient quantity to tide over at least six months of the dry season ; and also recommend that a series of close observations by gauging the stream be taken once a week, extending over a period of, say, twelve months, to obtain a mean of the maximum and minimum flow (excluding abnormal floods), from which data modifications, if required, can be made in the plans of the race as designed. In this trial an accurate transverse section of the river should be taken in a suitable reach near and above the proposed intake for obtaining the area and velocity, and a tide-gauge erected from which the rise and fall can be noted, and an accurate register kept. From my own observations of the indications on the river-banks for lodged debris, &c, I am forced to the conclusion that there is not sufficient water to fill the race in addition to that taken by the present high level. With regard to there being sufficient demand at present for an extra hundred sluice-heads of water by this proposed race over and above the batteries stated to require it, no doubt it would tend to the development of the goldfield : water, it is represented, being wanted in the near future for the extension of Grahamstown and Shortland, and industrial purposes other than mining. Having only a limited knowledge, however, from my recent visit I am hardly prepared to say that such an expenditure is not warranted on increased water-power in proportion to the amount of quartz of payable quality available; at the same time, I consider that a work of such magnitude should not be undertaken by the Government until full and definite information can be obtained as to the quantity of water constantly flowing in the river. In conclusion, I have to thank Mr. Hollis, County Clerk, for his courtesy and assistance, also Messrs. McLaren and Adams for their readiness in affording information. T. Peeham.

Coromandel Mining Township Domestic Water-supply. I now submit report on a domestic water-supply for this township, together with a general sketch-plan and plan of head-works : — There can be no doubt that this is a matter of urgency, both on the score of health of the community and for the extinguishing of fires. Owing to the streams to the north-east of and running through the town being strongly impregnated by mineral acids from the numerous mining works in the hills, added to the impurity of water in the wells, typhoid fever and sickness generally prevail during the summer months, especially among the infant population, by people using other than rainwater in tanks, which are few connected with the private houses. lam inclined to think that to a large extent this mischief has been caused by the constant pumping on the low levels from the numerous shafts draining the wells, and in many cases contiguous cesspits, into and from, one another through the porous, gravelly soil, and the inhabitants making use of the residue for drinking and household purposes. In evidence of this, old residents state that several small streams and wells formerly containing pure water are completely dried up, and others near these powerful pumps partially so. Surface drainage into the creeks, of course, does not tend to the health of the town. Several schemes have from time to time been formulated for a pure water-supply. One to take water by a cut race from the Whangaraki (the principal creek running from north to south through the town) at a point just above the small tributary known as Madam's Creek to a reservoir on the Kahakaharoa Stream, and picking up the water from the Whakanekeneke, or Courthouse, Creek; thence in pipes down Eing's Eoad through the town to the sea-beach, in connection with a supplementary supply from the Karaka Creek; the intention being in this case to combine power for mining purposes with domestic and fire-extinguishing supply. Another to convey the water from the Waiau Eiver, but to obtain sufficient elevation for pressure at the upper portion of the town it was found to be necessary to go up the river a distance of seven miles from the town, and, in addi* tion to head-works, create filter-beds, &c, involving, besides a heavy first cost of over £15,000, annual expenses in cleaning and maintenance. I may here mention that the water in the Karaka Creek alone was not considered sufficient for a supply during the summer months. An alternative suggestion has been also offered for sinking a well on the gravel flat near the Karaka Creek above contamination of drainage, and pump the water therefrom to a service or storage-reservoir near and on a suitable elevation, and from thence distribute the water through the town. This latter scheme, although quite practicable, would be a permanent charge in annual maintenance and wages, in addition to a rather heavy first cost for expensive perishable machinery. It- appears to have been advocated only as the readiest means to supply immediate wants, pending a general extended gravitation system from the Waiau Eiver.

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Upon examination of the before-mentioned Madam's Creek I formed the opinion that from its elevated position, commanding the whole town, and the volume of water (although limited), it would have been the best adapted for the purpose, but a race to the Corley battery nearly monopolizes the creek-water, and I found that three or four rights exist, although one mine only has been opened in the hills at the creek source, which would probably not contaminate the catchment area. There is a good site for a storage-reservoir 300 ft. above sea-level, and the creek running about half a Government sluice-head in the driest season would be sufficient. The Whakanekeneke, or Courthouse, Creek could also be used with advantage for the purpose, and at an elevation of 250 ft. an excellent site for a reservoir is available, but, unfortunately, it is too close to the cemetery, and there are two or three gold-workings on the watershed, and, moreover, there are four prior rights in the stream. The other branch of the Courthouse Creek is a mere stream, well known to be strongly impregnated with mineral acids, and therefore out of the question. Karaka, or " Cadman's," Creek is the only other water source suitable for the purpose, and, after a close examination, that has been selected in preference to going all the way up the Waiau Eiver to obtain almost the same result, at about one-third of the cost. It is by far the most expedient on account of the comparative purity of the water and freedom from contamination by workings on the catchment area. There are four existing rights in the creek, however, but, as far as I could ascertain, have never been made use of by the holders, and therefore may be resumed. With a view of setting the question at rest regarding the purity of the water, Mr. J. Malcom Maclaren, Director of the School of Mines at Coromandel has kindly given me an analysis of a sample of the water, which I quote : " This a clear, colourless, tasteless water, depositing only a very minute quantity of sediment on standing. After boiling for some time it has a feebly alkaline reaction. The fixed salts, or solids, are very low, amounting to 728 gr. per gallon, made up of alkaline chlorides (principally sodic chloride, or common salt) 4'6gr. per gallon, and carbonate of lime, 2-4 grains per gallon. It must be termed a very soft water, and is therefore eminently suitable for steam or manufacturing purposes. With regard to its suitability for domestic purposes, I find it requires 0-149 gr. of oxygen to oxidize the organic matter in a gallon of water. This is a somewhat high factor, and the water is therefore of only ordinary purity. It must, however, be remembered that the sample was taken towards the close of a long period of drought, and that water then is not so pure as at any other time of the year. This percentage of organic matter, though large, will not invalidate it as a potable water, the more so as I failed to find any traces of albuminoid ammonia or other nitrogenous compounds, the presence of which would have infallibly indicated contamination." This, although not entirely satisfactory as a drinking-water, shows that there is no presence of contamination, and I think it may be taken as a fair sample of bush-water in similar localities after being filtered over several miles of a creek-bed of shingle and sand. The catchment area, except on the left bank of the creek and at the source, is limited, but there is abundance of water, except at the driest season of the year, to supply five times the present population, which is estimated at not more than two thousand. The normal capacity of the stream (eliminating floods) may be taken at about 300,000 gallons per day of twenty-four hours at the point of intake, which is above three small tributaries, and gives the very liberal allowance of 150 gallons per head. At 30 gallons per head (the generally accepted rate) only 60,000 gallons per day would be required. There is, therefore, an ample margin for fire-extinguishing purposes, and, if required, driving power. The site for the intake chosen is at an elevation of about 150 ft. above sealevel and half a mile from the old mill, and will give a head of 140 ft. in the most thickly built part of the lower town around and about the bank corner; 100 ft. at the Presbyterian Church, Eing's Eoad; 90 ft. at the old Courthouse (present hospital); and at the Tramway Hotel and surrounding houses at Belleville a head of 60 ft., rather a low pressure at this point, but sufficient for purposes of fire-extinguishment. More elevation for the intake would have been better, but beyond the site chosen the creek-bed rises rapidly, and is very confined, full of heavy boulders and rocks, and the expense of the head-works would be at least double to get 50 ft. more elevation. The proposed head-works consist of a concrete weir 8 ft. in the mean in height, built in the solid rock, with a rough filter-bed at the back, silt-pit in front, and on the side a flood-overflow, or by-wash, of 14 ft. This will impound, when the creek-bed is cleared of stranded timber and large boulders, about 340,000 gallons. An iron grid, as shown on the sketch-plan, will prevent floating snags and debris from entering the reservoir. A settling-tank of some description is necessary when the creek is in flood, and it may be as well perhaps to provide a reserve for future contingencies. The deliverymain from the silt-pit to the centre of the lower town would be 8 in. cast-iron pipes ; the reticulation for the main street (Eing's Eoad) north as far as the post-office and south to the bridge at Woollams's triangle, 6 in. pipes; the remainder of the pipe-track, as shown on plan No. lin red lines, 4 in. pipes: the whole laid with tee branches at all places where water is likely to be needed eventually. Scour valves provided at the low levels and creek-crossings, stop-valves at suitable intervals, and fire-plugs at every two or three chains where most likely to be required. In roads or streets where there are at present only a few scattered houses 1-J in. and 1 in. wrought-iron pipes. Laying the water to the houses is not considered in the scheme, as I conclude that would be better left to the local authorities to come to some equitable arrangement with the residents requiring the water, unless it be made compulsory to take it. A more direct route for the pipes would be to cross from Cadman's Mill, turning northward over the low saddle, and following the low ground to the junction of Eing's Eoad and Albert Street, but private land would have to be crossed. It is therefore better to avoid purchase or compensation by taking the pipes down Wangapoua Eoad to the junction with the Tiki Eoad, and thence into the lower town. An extension along the Tiki Eoad can be easily made if necessity arises. The cost of maintenance will be nominal, only requiring the cleaning of the shingle occasionally at the back of the weir, removal of any snags and debris from the grid, and the scouring of the bottom of the silt-pit and mains frequently.

Thames County Low Level Water Race.

Sketch Plan Township of Coromandel.

Sketch Plan of proposed Reservoir. Coromandel Water Supply.

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The total cost of a water-supply as above indicated, including head-works, benching pipe-track in rock on right bank of creek, a small trestle-bridge at the old mill, laying of pipes with branches, valves, and all necessary fire-plugs, with contingencies and supervision, I estimate at £4,895 approximately. In conclusion, I recommend that the reservoir should be securely fenced against the entrance of cattle, &c, for at least 2 chains wide from the weir on each side up the creek for a distance of at least 10 chains, and all decayed logs, &c, removed to preserve, as far as possible, the purity of the water. It is possible that, in the event of the work being carried out, the permanent levels taken, and final arrangements made, the scheme may be found capable of modification in only laying pipes, &c, in the streets sufficiently built on to warrant the expenditure, and thus supply the immediate wants of the town, and therefore the above estimate must be considered approximate. Still, as in all such undertakings, the first cost being the least I would recommend the laying of the mains to the extent indicated on the plan from Woollams's Triangle northward to the neighbourhood of the Tramway Hotel at Belleville. My thanks are due to Messrs. McCormick and Turner, also to Mr. Sirnmonds, County Clerk, for their ready assistance in my examination for the purposes of this report. T. Peeham.

Karangahake Mining Township. — Domestic Water-supply. I now forward, together with a sketch plan, report on the above. The town lies in the entrance to the deep and narrow gorge of the Ohinemuri Eiver on the right bank, and at the junction with that river and the Whaitawheta Creek, and is about six miles south-east of Paeroa on the Waihi Coach-road. With the exception of the business premises along both sides of the main street, which is parallel with and close to the bank of the river, nearly all the houses are scattered about the steep hillsides, which consist of rugged spurs and gullies running down from a range to the river. To systematically provide water, except in the main street, for such a place is not an easy matter, on account of the absence of properly graded roads and the irregular manner in which the houses are disposed; and, taking into consideration locality and small population, it will be comparatively expensive. The population is estimated roughly at between five hundred and seven hundred, counting what may be called the suburbs or outlying tenements. As there is always a probability of mining towns of this description extending, and perhaps rapidly in the near future, I think it would be well practically to provide for an increase of the present population to 1,500 at the usually accepted rate of 30 gallons per head per diem—namely, 45,000 gallons. The following recommendations are therefore based on this. A never-failing supply of pure water can be attained from the Parapara Kauri or "Dogherty's" Creek (running at the proposed intake about three-quarters of a Government sluice-head), and which has been reserved for the purpose. The creek joins the Ohinemuri Eiver near to and north of the township. Two schemes have been formulated, both taking water from the same and, in fact, only source: One to convey the water from the creek in almost a direct line, by means of pipes, along the sloping spur sidelings to a saddle on the hill at the back of the town, and there to construct a distributingbasin, and from thence the service-main being taken down a broad, convenient gully into the town. The alternative scheme is to convey the water from the same point in the creek either by an open race or pipes round the spur of the hill partly by the road following down the creek to the junction of Main Street with Butler's Eoad, marked "A " and shown in long red dots on plan. This route, in my opinion, would, in addition to being the most expensive, if pipes were used the whole way, and open to the objection if a cut race be used to expensive maintenance and liability of contamination from a large area of surface drainage. Again, from the point " A," in addition to the race or pipes from the intake, 23 chains of large piping would be required, which at the present time is not a necessary requirement for either fire-extinguishment or ordinary domestic purposes. Under the circumstances, I think the first proposal is in every way the best and in the end prove to be the most satisfactory and economical. The position selected in the creek for the intake or head works is by aneroid barometer 325 ft. above the Ohinemuri Eiver, and well above all habitations, as shown on the plan, and, when fenced, is free from any contamination, and is about a mile by the pipe-track, shown in firm red line, to the before-mentioned saddle, which is 250 ft. above the river. The headworks consist of a simple concrete dam, 5 ft. in height, built in the solid rock at the top of a small waterfall, and creating a useful little reservoir from a natural rock-bound pool, which is estimated to contain, when full, about 20,000 gallons, about two-thirds of which will be available for use, the remainder of the pond acting as a first filter and silt-bed. On the left bank of the creek a small supplementary silt-pit, with a rose-strainer and 3 in. stop-valve on the outside of the pit, is built in to shut off the water from the 3 in. supply-main when necessary. At the upper end of the reservoir is an iron and timber grating, similar to that described for Coromandel, to prevent any small snags or debris floating down the creek from entrance. This small pond, in addition to acting as the intake, is a silt-pit, and the supply of water will be useful in case of emergency and during the periodical cleansing of the service-tank hereafter described. At the saddle it is proposed to excavate for and build, in a natural depression in a gully near and about 30 ft. below the 250 ft. level, a tank with a capacity of 45,000 gallons, or about one day's supply for fifteen hundred of a population The tank is to be of concrete, with vertical walls, the top of which to be 2 ft. above the surrounding ground-surface to prevent entrance of surface-water, and, as it is in the bush, roofed over with curved galvanised iron to keep out falling branches, &o. To be fitted with a ball-valve to regulate the supply from the 3 in. pipe. Washout- and overflow-

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pipes outside the tank, and a by-pass connected from the supply to the delivery-main to keep up an uninterrupted supply to the town in case of emergency, or while the tank is being cleaned out, as will be necessary from time to time to free it from sediment. The delivery-main from the tank to the bottom of the gully, and passing through sections of E. and W. Brideson and Tregoweth, and crossing Butler's Road to Main Street, will be 6m. castiron pipes, with a stop-valve outside the tank, and a pressure-valve and scour-valve at the bottom of the incline down the gully to Main Street. From this point the same 6 in. pipes will form the reticulation and continue up Main Street to the post-office, with branches at present only of 4 in. pipes at Bush Street and at Moresby Street, as shown in thick red lines on plan. All the pipes to be laid with tees to provide for localities in which branches are likely to be required eventually, and the whole provided with stop- and scour-valves at suitable intervals, and fire-plugs or hydrants at every 3 chains or thereabouts. In back roads or tracks up from Main Street and leading to the scattered houses about the spurs and gullies provision is made in the estimates for laying 1\ in. and 1 in. galvanised wroughtiron pipes, which can be done as wanted, and again lifted and replaced elsewhere with only a slight deterioration when the streets on the high levels are formed and the 4 in. mains extended. This supply, I think, may be considered ample for the present population, and the only additional cost necessary as the population increases, however rapidly—having the head-reservoir and service-tank complete—will be an extension of the service-mains and small branches to the higher levels on both sides of the Ohinemuri River, and to the schoolhouse and other houses beyond in the gorge, as indicated by the dotted lines on the plan. The cost of maintenance will be trifling and almost nominal, one man being all the labour wanted. The tank should be cleaned out occasionally, and the mains frequently scoured, especially at the bottom of the 6 in.-pipe incline from the tank to Main Street. Both the headworks should be securely fenced to keep out cattle. The approximate total cost of such a supply as above indicated, including headworks, supplymains and -valves, two short and light trestle-bridges across the creek, concrete tank with adjuncts, delivery-main with pressure-valve, and all other necessary valves and fittings, I estimate at £1,916. 20th August, 1898. T. Perham.

Mining Township of Waitekauri. — Domestic Water-supply. A report on a water-supply for the above town is the next in rotation, and I forward herewith a sketch - plan showing the contour of the ground, the locality of the proposed reservoir, the headworks, and direction and limit of pipe-track, which I consider is sufficient supply for some considerable time beyond present requirements. That pure water, as in the case of Karangahake, is urgently required cannot be doubted, for the Waitekauri Eiver, on the bank of which the town is situated, on account of pollution by the cyanide plant in connection with the battery, as well as other workings higher up the river at the Golden Cross, is totally unfit for human consumption. The small streams running immediately through the town to the river are too insignificant to be used for the purpose, except by creating expensive storage; and, moreover, the riparian-right question here as elsewhere is very much in evidence. The only streams of any size are "The Irishman's " and another, both owned by the Waitekauri Gold-mining Company. The population, at a liberal estimate, is not more than two hundred and fifty, counting all houses round and about the hills outside what may be deemed the town's extreme limits. Considering, however, the probability of extension in the near future, it is as well to provide for an increase to, say, five hundred, at the rate of 30 gallons per head per day of twenty-four hours—viz., 15,000 gallons, ample both for purpose of fire-extinguishing and ordinary domestic use (unless the increase in population is very rapid) for some years to come. I am indebted to Mr. McLelland, a member of the Ohinemuri County Council, for accompanying me over the ground and pointing out a suitable little gravel-bedded stream in the hills to the north-west of the town and across the Waitekauri Eiver. Its capacity is good and the water pure—that is, for bush-water—and as it is permanently running at a minimum of about 93 gallons per minute, which is far more than sufficient without storage, gives 268 gallons per head of population of 500. The site chosen for the intake is in an almost direct line about 47 chains from the bridge over the river, and the elevation 145 ft. above Eyan's Hotel, which is situated in about the lowest portion of the town. The creek-bed at the point of intake is narrow and confined, and there are no indications of rock, although good clay for puddle crops out of the banks. Under these circumstances, although the works will not be of so permanent a nature as masonry or concrete, I propose a timber weir of the description indicated on the sketch-plan, with a small silt-pit on the outside, which can be frequently scoured and the water always kept clear. Inside the weir the reservoir thus formed is intended to be half-filled with shingle and fine gravel from the creekbed to act as a rough filter, and a timber and iron grid, similar to those already recommended elsewhere, to exclude the floating debris and small snags from the pond. It would be well, as the place is in the bush, to provide for its being roofed over with a frame and galvanised iron to keep out falling leaves, &c.; also to erect a cattle-proof fence around it. The supply-main of 6 in. cast-iron pipes will be laid entirely along the right bank of the stream until the waterfall is reached, then taken over the spur and down across Corbett's Flat to the bridge. Here I may mention that the land and the rights in the creek-water to the north-east of the Waitekauri Eiver is in the hands of the Corbett family, and compensation for the loss of water and the pipes crossing the land is expected. From the bridge up the narrow right-of-way to the corner of the main street between Eyan's and Eae's hotels the 6 in. casl-iron pipes

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from the headworks will stop, and 4 in. mains thence branch up the hill to the schoolhouse, there giving a head of 85 ft. from the reservoir, a fair pressure both for fire and ordinary domestic uses, and on the coach-road to Waikino past the post- and telegraph-office as far as the public hall, there giving a head of 70 ft. from the reservoir. The serving of these three streets or main roads embraces the inhabited portion of the town, with the exception of a few scattered dwellings here and there, for which provision is made in the estimate by means of 1-Jin. and lin. galvanised-iron piping, which, as the settlement expands, can be taken up and relaid elsewhere to make room for the continuation of the 4 in. branch mains. Provision is made for branches in suitable positions. Two scour-valves—one at the bridge and one at the creek-crossing opposite Eyan's —only are necessary; and stop-valves, fire-plugs or hydrants, and small branches contingent on water being required for power are provided for. The approximate cost of a service as above indicated, exclusive of compensation to the Corbett family, I estimate at £1,160. The cost of maintenance should be merely nominal, one man only being required occasionally to scour the silt-pit and mains, except in cases of emergency such as fires. 6th September, 1898. T. Perham. Approximate Coat of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (2,700 copies), £5 12 .

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lS9B. Price Bd.]

Sketch Plan Township of Karangahake.

Sketch Plan of Mining Township of Waitekauri.