Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-05-12
STAUNTON'S GEM-THE CITY WATER
WORKS.

AT the last meeting 1.-THE Council, MI. WIZ,
from the Committee on water presented the
annual report ending 3Oth April of Mr.. Dinneen
Superintendent of the City Water Works, from
which some extracts are made.
Water pumped during the year, gall 49,, ann
Number ofstrokes made by the pump 422l.70O
Average number of gallons consumed 90 ,,o 90,
per month Ao,1io,oo'
A Ions uAiiy oonsun'p'ion III s@. GIL 800
,n esa So uHi'y p'ion pei 90
The pumping engine is in good working OF
der and does lis duty faithfully, but meas a
thorough overhauling because of wear and tear
to some of its parts
The two steam boilers are in the best oroer
and will not need repairs for years TO come. In
this connection the Superintendent again re-
comm ends to the Committee the earliest prac-
ticable action which is in contemplation lor
placing another pumping engine in positlon.-
1t is necessary in every view which can Dc
taken, especially should accident occur to the
one and the only present reliance.
The report furnishes a full itemized schedule
of working expenses, all of which passed under
personal inspection of the Committee. and re-
ceived approval of the Council in ordering pay
ment. The expenses. including coal, but ex-
elusive of salaries, were S2,269.69 against 81
Oil Ss previous year. This includes the work
done for citizens as well as the city and Is not
nett expense to the city.
The approximate assessment of water tax for
the year is S1l 63l 02 against Sl0,99965 for the
previous year.
The Council Committee on water are, Isaac
Witt, N. Wayt and f. B. Berkeley, Superin-
tendent NJ Dinneen, Assistant Superintendent
James A. Moore.
In relation tn the OrOOOsed new pumping en-
CINE, the Council has set aside fund in the
appropriation recently made for the present
fiscal year, and the Committee is now pre-
pairing to make the purchase. An early day
will doubtless witness this new and additional
security to the public in case OF fire and to the
comfort Of the people, reality.
The Reservoir holds 2.500,000 gallons. The
numerous springs of supply are abundant for
the needs of great city.
Making enquiries of the genial and excel
lent clerk of the Council in looking up the data
for this brief article, the writer for the nrst
time saw the final report of the accomplished
Engineer under whose direction the City Wa
ter Works were built.
A closing paragraph of that lengthy document
is not the least in Importance when estimating
the worth of its author. It is as follows:-
.'In turning over this my final report and
Inc WNO1e WOrk upon WHICH DdNo speuJ SO
much time and thought, l may be pardoned
for requesting at the hands of the Council a
small amountannually to be expended in trees,
for grass, walks and other small items which
will go far towards rounding up and beautify
ing the handsomest grounds naturally l know
of in all the country
They are the handsomestg grounds in location
and in comma nding views which perhaps any
town or city ever had the fortune in appro-
priating for similar purpose-one of great i'm
portance that will forever be associated with the
safety, the health, the necessities and the hap
piness of the people Of this city. The parting
words of Mr.. Allen when his work was done in
asking for adornment of the grounds should
find permanent lodgment in the minds of ev-
cry Council. That done, with continued de-
velopment in art and taste, the Gem of the
City will have setting in perpetual beauty
and magnifeence where nature has been boun
tiful in her donations of grandeur.