The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-11
FAVOR WATER METERS.
the BOARD OF ALDLRMEN 'ofE
10 INrRoDUCE THEM.
Action of tho Lower Branch In fav"r al
Water Mains Rsjccted-"rc"' "e"' VI
DINER Business Transacted

NJ hnainess. The fol )NlhS !" ''''N'' -
,resent: Messrs. Allen, Bahen' biahe'
p,~,o, uardwickc. King, Marn. Mitch
on Moore Moun,castle. Noble, Reeve
sncad. Tanner. Vaughan. and President
Turpin.
NJ uardwlcke. on the part Of the
sInance Committee. presented a report
recommending the adoption of the follow
ing resolution:
Appropriating 5000 in payment OF the
Judgment OF II. .. Lukehart obtained
against the city on January ~ lNs'' the
amount to be charged to the contingent
account.
The resolution was adopted
Mr. Hardwicke also presented "a report
from the Committee on Light recon-
Inending the refundine of $40 TO NJ, r.
Harris on his gas-bili II was "sio'" ''
ACTION CONQUERED IN.
Mr. Bahen presented a report for the
Committee on Water, deemins u ny
pedient 20 abolish the oiiice Oh Sup'.'',
tend,nt of Pump WORKS. An oi"''''''
10 that effect was adopted.
Tho same action was taken 10 regard
% tho ordinance which reduces the salary
fror, Il sO0 10 sl.200. This was only oon''
bovxevcr after some little controversy
during which Mcssrs. Bahcn ana bldhV
opposed the measure. while II was auNo-
Gated by Messrs. Mountcasue ana nome
Alderman Mitchell, on behalf OF inc
Committee on ordinances, presented
number OF amendments 10 the plumbing
ordinance on motion of Mr.. Noble. the
matter was laid on the table in order
that IL may be printed Tor the Use OF the
members.
The Board concurred in the action Of
the Common Council establishing the
grade In certain alleys OF the city.
resolution adopted by the Common
Council came up for concurrence APP
propriating the sum OF Slyo TOT repairs
necessary to the Free bridge, provided
that the city of Manchester sets aside a
similar amount. Mr.. Noble desired to
have the matter laid on the table for fur
Their investigation. but the motion was
lost and the appropriation was concurred
in by a vote OF is TO ], Mr. Noble alone
voting IA the negative.
THE WATER SUPPLY.
A resolution then came up which had
been adopted by the Common Council.
providing the issuing Of $4,000 worth OF
4 per cent. bonds. the proceeds of which
should be used for the laying OF an addi-
tional Pinch water main from the New
Reservoir TO the corner Of Third and
Broad streets, where IL is TO connect with
the 16-inch water main which is feeding
Church Hill.
Superintendent Boiling of the Water
Works. who was present, explained the
situation. but recommending the laying Of
a 36-inch mair instead of a 2i-inch main,
which would furnish the necessary sup
ply OF water for the next ten or twelve
years. In 1898 the revenues Of the de-
partment were $4,000. and during the
latter part OF that year some G50 meters
were put in. thereby reducing the reve-
nues I'm 1894 10 $4,000 During that year
about two hundred more meters We're
added, but the revenues were not thereby
reduced in 1885. The present reservoirs
have a capacity Of a supply for four and
a half days. The cost Of pumping the
water into the reservoir was s. 50 per mil
lion gallons by water power and $40 by
steam pump. If the entire city was pro-
vided with meters. II would cost the city
about $4,000. After making a thorough
examination, MIR. Boiling said. he had
found that the laying of a 2i-inch main
TO Third and Broad streets would cost
about $4,000 and the laying OF a S6-inch
pipe 100000. In either case an additional
appropriation of $4,000 woslld have TO be
made TO secure the necessary pumping
facilities.
THE DISCUSSION.
Captain Reeve. who said that he had
thoroughly examined the matter was OF
the opinion that the expenditure Of So
600 or $4,000 would be all that was neces-
sary. and that the laying OF the Pinch
water main would be all that was
needed.
Messrs. Noble. Blake, and Allen asked
quite number of questions, which
brought out good deal OF Information.
Mr.. Allen. who said that he had also
given the matter careful consideration.
stated that the only way out OF the diff
ficulty was 10 stop the waste, and that
could only be done by the general intro
duction Of meters. The city would sOon-
er OF later have to agree TO the introduce
ticn of meters. for as the supply was i'm
crea Il 50 would also the pressure and
the waste Of water increased. 10 was
clear 10 him that inasmuch as the pump
dng facilities were limited. the supply
would become limited at the end OF fiji
teen years. when the city would be COM
PEELED 20 adopt the meter system.
Captain Reeve advocated the ADOPTION
of the measure before the body 70 secure
prompt relief for the people on Shockoo
hill and Church Hill
Mr.. Snead also advocated the introduce
ton OF the meter system, which he
thought was only fought by prejudice.
Mr.. Boiling was then recalled by Mr.
Noble. and stated that the introduction Of
meters would certainly Increase the pres
sure, and at some length advocates the
use Of m' iers During the past two years
some 500 meters had been introduced.
and during that same period some $50
taps added TO those then in existence. and
yet the consumption of water had been
reduced 10000 gallons per day.
Mr.. Blake also favored the Introduction
OF meters which he thought should be
patd for by the property owners.
Mr.. Allen then offered as an amend
nent that tho sum OF $4,000 be expended
Tor tie purchase OF meters instead of
Tor the laying of water mains. Mr. allen
tnahy withdrew his amendment. apI at
ter some further discussion Mr. Vaughan
moved 10 lay the matter on the table an
III the next regular meeting. but the mo
ton was lost.
DECLINED TO CONCUR.
Tho Board then declined 10 concur I'm
the action Of the Common Council by a
vote OF TO 10 which was as follows.
Aye go Ne SIS. Hardwicke. Moore
Hountcastie. Reeve. and Naushan-5.
Noes-Alessrs. Allen. Blake. Rurton
King, Mann. Noble. Snead. starke Tan
ner and Turpin-l0
Captain Alexander Coke. the codiaer ~
the city Ordinances. was given .pernfs.
son TO explain his claims for the work
done by him, and the Board then con.
CURED In the action OF the Common
Council appropriating $s25 for his ser.
vices.
When the ordinance was reached q,
regard to the official relations betwoen
the Collector OF DELINQUENT Taxes and
tho (Nfx Audffor 1, NO 80. ~.