The Nevada journal., 1860-06-01
Protection Against Fire.

Inc hre VISITATION OF friday morning last
demonstrated the practical value of water
works for checking flames. 1t is pretty
generally conceded that but for the hydrants
of the Nevada Water Company large por-
tion of the upper half of the city must have
been destroyed This impression has caused
little querying among the people, as to
what ought to be done to guard against
farther infiictions of the kind experienced
one week ago, and no other mode of pro-
lection being apparent but that by means of
the works of the Nevada Water Company,
interested parties proceeded to confer with
that company relative to the terms on which
the city might obtain the protection desired.
The company required two hundred dollars
month, guaranteed by responsible parties,
at first, but finally agreed to take $4,000
per apnum puid in advance. In considera-
tion of this amount the company expressed
Willingness to give bonds to proceed
without delay to put down large and SER
vieeable cast iron pipes through Pine, Com
mercial and Broad streets, and establish
hydrants at all convenient points for the
use of the city in case of fires, and to guar
antee water enough in case of conflagra-
ton for four nozzles six hours. A subscrip-
tion paper was put on foot on Saturday last
for the purpose of raising the sum required,
| huf owinp tn diffarancas of on;n;on tba su,,
has not been entirely subscribed.
While the matter has been in statu quo,
Mr.. Charles Marsh and others, with spare
capital in abundance on hand, have proposed
to construct entire new water works after
the following plan, and on the conditions,
to-wit capacious reservoir to be erected
on Buckeye Hill and connected with the
mammoth reservoir at the Sugar Loaf
Substantial cast iron pipes ten inches in di-
ameter to be laid from thence to he fire
districts of the city. Cast iron street pipes
of ample dimensions thence to be laid in
all the principal streets in the city and furn-
ished with all necessary fire plugs to each
of which three hose can be attached at once.
The whole to be completed and in working
order in three months, and the city to have
the use of the water and works for fire
purposes and sprinkling the streets free
In return, the company only ask the fran
chise of the city to supply the inhabitants
with water for domestic purposes, or that
the people shall agree to take the water
from their works at the rates now paid the
Nevada Water Company. Mr.. Marsh and
his associates will, also, submit to a reduc-
ton of water rates from time to time by the
Board of Trustees should the revenue be
found greater than fair rate of interest on
the capital invested.
The advantages to accrue to the city from
the proposition of Mr.. Marsh are briefly these
Ample protection against fires free of cost
a considerable saving in the way of sprnk-
ling the streets; greater supply of water
with fifty feet more head and consequently
more force and efficiency; superior hydrant:
allowing three times the power at any one
point, and supply of water at all time;
for irrigating purposes at nearly miner!
rates.
Under the law of 1857, which was designed
to assist the city to protection against fires
it is doubtful if the city in its political ca.
pacity is competent to grant the franchise
desired. 1t may prevent the extension o
the pipes of the Nevada Water Company
further, and perhaps forbid further connec.
tion with the large pipes now laid, bu
farther it would be unsafe to go. The peo
pie Individually are not bound to take water
of any company at present and may transfer
their patronage to another company at will
offering better inducements. We hopt
something will be done without delay tC
secure the city against fourth great con.
fiagration.