Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-03

"""' WV '""'" ""i" hnu Did-IpOkinG
TO the River for supply The Virginia md
Carolina Ro iirond Ready 20 Exch,,o.
Bonds-Ihe Present Route Not accen,.
able.
iCotiespondence Of the Richmond DiSpatchJ
OCTOBER 2, 1884.
Two important matters engaged the at.
tentjOn Of the Common Council last eve.
ninC--Onc the supply Of water for the civ
which has been rendered extremely prrc,.
rious by reason OF the protracted drought.
and the other the route OF the Virginia and
Carolina railroad through the city, which
has aroused so much opposition and
brought forth so many suggestions.
In reference TO the former the announce
ment made several days ago was repeated.
10 the effect that il rain does not fall in the
interval the water supply Tom the city
works will be exhausted 10y Saturday, and
the people will have 10 shit for themselves
- best they can until the supply is replen-
ished. II tbis condi,ionioi things should
continue foI any length Of time great in
convenience anG suffering would follow.
EoreseeiDg this thing the Water Works
Committee applied TO the Upper Appomat-
tOX Company for the Use OF water from
the BASIN. and consent was very promptly
given without charge. The city some
years ago laid pipes to the basin with
the view Of deriving water from that
source. Before, however, the permission
Of tie company could be taken advantage
OF notice was served upon the company 10y
owners OF certain mills which are supplied
with power from the canal that il the water
were furnished the city IS proposed the
cOnpsDy would be held responsible for
al q
withdraw Ms consent to tie city'S use Of
water. The matter was brought TO the at
tention Of the Council. and the committee
was given 10 understand that il the neces-
siiy arose for such action they will, By con-
sent Of the Upper AppomattoX Company,
tun The wafer into the city'S mains, and
the city will assume all rcspOnsipil itv that
may result from such action. Ills will be
the only source q relief under the present
SITES.
A resolution was adopted by the Council
approCriatiug $4,000 for deepening the
new lower reservoir. so Is 70 increase IT.
capacIiy 10 l5.0c0. 600 gallons. II will be
cXcayaIcd 10 depth Of eight feet mt once.
The adjoining reservoir holds l0,000,0O0
gallons For many wears only one of the
upper reservoirs hIs been used, the other
being out OF repair and useless. The
Council authorized measures II be taken
looking 10 the thorough repairing OF this
reservoir 80 as to increase our facilitie, in
that direction. With these Improvements.
it is believed that in the future anything
like a water famine can be prevented. Our
present watcr-wOTks. when built many
years ago. cost about $4,000. 4 consider
able portion Of the city i not dependent
on these works for water, being supplied
by the Petersburg Aqueduct Company
from spring reservoirs on the Chesterfield
Heights.
4 resolution was offered in the Council
for the appointment OF committee Of sew
en- members 10 consider all matters refer
ring TO the water supply, and report 70 IN
adjourned meeting OF the Council. This
was done with the view Of considering the
propTietv Of establishing water works west
Of the city. to be supplied directly from the
river. 1t was eStim tied. upon the careful
report Of an engineer. that a ten-milllOn-
gallon rCScTVo,T, with all necessary ma
chincry. buildings, &C.. could ne built near
the locks, on an elevated site. at a cost OF
$4,000. This was defeated by decisive
vote, and for the present ut least the
City Water-W OIks. on the Heights, VIII be
depended upon TO serve all purposes.
VIRGINIA AND CAROLINA RAILROAD.
4 letter from Major Wexford, vice.
president Of the Virginia and Carolina
railroad, accepting the city'S offer to eX-
change bonds to aid IN the construction OF
The road, and announcing that the company
l. ready TO perform lis part in the premises.
was referred TO the Finance Committee and
City Attorney for the purpose OF preparing
the proper contract for the issue and eN-
change OF the bonds.
Petitions were presented from citizens
on High and Pearl streets protesting
against tie present route OF the road As
Icing very injurious - property on those
streets.
The present route locates The depot on
Long Market street, on tho site Of Marks's
pauing-mlll. and the road then passes
down Market street 10 the river.
II was argued that this route will
inflict irroIarlhle damage b the city.
Pr c0pfrO, It was urged that all the avail
allie routes to and through the city nad been
surveyed. and ibis was found 10 be the
best and the cheapest. II was said in be-
haif of the road that when il is compile ed
il VIII place Petersburg fOrty-fye miles
nearer Raleigh, North Carolina. by rail,
than Il j. now, ana fOrty-dye miles nearer
IT, great cotton and tobacco belt OF North
Carolina than Norfolk i; that thus our
city W III regain much OF the trade That II
has Lost by competition. and that under
these circumstances all advantages, inst
Of obstacles. should be given il. One half
Of the route between Petersburg and Ridge
way. y. G.. and the heaviest half Of II, has
/ been graded. and Is now ready for the
track.
The Council finally adopted resolution
employing MIR. Franklin Wright. an engi'
neer, 10 survey other routes deemed more
practicable. TO be submitted to the com
pany for adoption. one OF these route, IL
/ Is understood, crosses the river west OF the
city, comes down on the Chesterfield side'
and stops in POcahontas.
1t is said that the prices asked Tor land
wanted by the company in some instances
! are said 10 be so high a. t. be somewhat
startling, and that ii such prices are u ne
/ raid the amount gwen 10y the city for the
! purchase OF the right OF way will fall TAI
! short OF covering the expense.
ROBIN ADAlR.