The Monmouth inquirer., 1893-04-27

ming expenses from rentals to private con-
sumers. The result has been that the first
year of its operation (1891-'92) it paid
these expenses and over $50 besides, while
the second, or present year, besides reg
ular and extraordinary expenses it pays
over one-third of the annual interest
charge on the cost of construction. Much
of this result is due to the admirable man
agement of the Water Board, which while
it has been liberal in providing for the ne
cessities of the public and in maintaining
the thorough efficiency of the plant, has
been careful to husband its resources, and
to regard the interests of the taxpayers of
the town in all its expenditures.
The water mains as originally contract
ed for covered length of "A 800 feet, or
nearly 81 miles. During the first year of
their operation extensions covering 2, 1870
feet were made, and for the year just
closed 820 feet, making a total length of
mains to date of AZ ,270 feet, or within a
fraction of nine miles. The total cost of
the works to date is stated at $47, ,605.71.
Among other interesting facts given in
the report is a detailed statement showing
the number of gallons furnished each
month during the year, the sum of which
for the twelve months shows a total of
27,112,18S gallons. Singularly enough,
the largest consumption is recorded dur
ing the months of January and February,
which is accounted for on the supposition
that the faucets were allowed to run to
prevent freezing Of pipes.
The Board referring to the careless waste
of water, suggests as remedy the intro
duction of meters. The fact should be
recognized that every gallon of water
drawn from the pipes represents so much
cost to the town, and while there is no de-
sire to restrict the use of the water, but on
the contrary that every private consumer
should feel at liberty to enjoy the use oft
to the fullest extent, they should in their
own defence as well as in defence of the
public interests be careful not to abuse the
privilege nor allow it to be DONE
AT the regular meeting of the Board of
Commissioners in March, the Water Com
missioners presented formal request for
the purchase of Hartshorne's Pond, with
the meadow land and buildings attached
to the property. The request set forth
that the purchase was advisable for the
purpose of providing for the increase of
the water supply, should it at any time in
the future be necessary. The meadow af-
fords an eligible place for the sinking of
more artesian wells, from the flow of which
the present supply Of artesian water could
be more than doubled, while the pond it.
SELF which is supplied almost entirely by
springs, would afford an additional supply
in case of sudden emergencies. The pos
session of the meadow also secures the
control of the land in a positive way to
prevent the establishment of anything in
the immediate neighborhood of the works
that would tend to prejudice the water
supply in the minds of the people, The
Board of Commissioners considered the
price a reasonable one, and concluded
that the opportunity afforded for the pur-
chase was one that should not be allowed
to slip. They therefore unanimously ap-
proved the recommendation of the Water
Board, and the purchase was made ac-
cordingly. Money to meet the purchase
was temporarily borrowed from the sewer
fund, and will be provided for by the issue
of two bonds for $4,000 each, to be added
to the Water Supply loan, and forming
the last of the series of water bonds. The
remainder of the $4,000 after paying for
the pond and meadow purchase will be
applied to the extension account of the
water system.
The report also refers to defect in the
fire hydrants, which allows the water to
WHOM tho hvdrant Is in use. This