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diff --git a/old/53803-0.txt b/old/53803-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index df687b8..0000000 --- a/old/53803-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,994 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Report of a special committee of the City -Council, on the improvement of the Fire D, by City Council Halifax (N.S.) - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Report of a special committee of the City Council, on the improvement of the Fire Department - and also, on the best means of obtaining an additional - supply of water for fire purposes, for the city of Halifax, - N.S. - -Author: City Council Halifax (N.S.) - -Release Date: December 25, 2016 [EBook #53803] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REPORT OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - REPORT - OF A - Special Committee of the City Council, - ON THE - IMPROVEMENT - OF THE - FIRE DEPARTMENT. - AND ALSO, - ON THE BEST MEANS OF OBTAINING AN ADDITIONAL SUPPLY OF WATER FOR FIRE - PURPOSES, FOR THE CITY OF HALIFAX, N. S. - - - HALIFAX, N. S.: - JAMES BARNES & CO., PRINTERS. - 1859. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - REPORT. - - -The Committee appointed to take into consideration, the condition of the -Fire Department of this City, and also, the best means of obtaining an -additional supply of Water, for Fire purposes, beg to present their -Report. - -Before proceeding to the subject matter of their Report, the Committee -deem it due to themselves, and to the community, to make one or two -explanations, by way of accounting for apparent neglect of a most -important enquiry. The Committee was first appointed, immediately -subsequent to the great conflagration of 9th September, but they had -scarcely commenced their labours, when the Committee was disorganized, -by the retirement of several members, consequent upon the Annual Civic -Elections. The choice of officers and other necessary business, -prevented the appointment of a new Committee until late in October, -since which time, the members of this Committee, being much occupied -with other Committees, as well as with their own private affairs, it was -not possible to report at an earlier date. - -The Committee, also, take this opportunity of stating, that they do not -hold themselves accountable for any communications, anonymous or -otherwise, upon this question, which may have appeared in the -newspapers. - -The Committee have directed their attention to the several papers -submitted to them by the Council; as follows: - -1st. Memorial of Edward J. Longard; received by the City Council 11th -March, 1859. - -2nd. Memorandum of Alderman Twining; submitted 9th August, 1859. - -3rd. Letter from Hon. Wm. Young, A. Scott and H. Hartshorne to His -Worship the Mayor, dated 12th September, 1859. - -4th. Letter from the Secretary of the Halifax Water Company to His -Worship the Mayor, dated 13th September, 1859. - -The Memorial of Mr. Longard, proposes a scheme for supplying the City -with Water, for Fire purposes, exclusively;—the supply to be drawn from -the Birch Cove Lakes. - -The Memorandum of Alderman Twining suggests the appointment of a -Committee, to enquire into the expediency, and feasibility, of -purchasing the Water Works, and property, of the Halifax Water Company. - -Messrs. Young, Scott and Hartshorne’s Letter has reference to the late -Fire, and makes certain suggestions, relating thereto, such as, the -laying down of additional Water Pipes, the use of Steam Fire Engines, -and the enlargement of the Fire Companies. - -The Communication from the Secretary of the Water Company embodies a -proposition from the Company, agreeing to adopt the suggestion of -Messrs. Young, Scott and Hartshorne by “laying down a 12-inch pipe from -the Ball Court, at the south end of Gottengen Street, to Brunswick -Street, and thence continued south along Barrack Street to Sackville -Street; and lead 6-inch branch pipes therefrom, down Sackville, Prince, -George, Duke and Buckingham Streets, to Sackville Street; laying a new -6-inch pipe along Hollis Street, between Sackville and Buckingham -Streets; the branch pipes to have a suitable number of fire-plugs -attached to them, and to be used solely for fire purposes; for the -annual rent or sum of three hundred and fifty pounds.” - -The Committee have named the several papers in the order of their -respective dates, but do not propose discussing them in that connexion. -Indeed the whole subject naturally divides itself into two branches,—the -improvement of the Fire Department, and an additional supply of Water. - - * * * * * - -In reference to the Fire Department, the first topic the Committee had -under consideration, and indeed, as far as they were capable of judging, -the principal defect of the Department, was the admitted want of -Firemen. The whole number of regular efficient Firemen, in the city, -does not exceed one hundred, whereas, in the opinion of this Committee, -there ought to be, at least, four hundred. Less than that number will -not suffice for the proper working of the Engines. It then becomes a -question whether the present Engine Company should be enlarged, or a new -Company formed, with a different set of duties. The Committee incline to -the latter view. - -If the business of the Union Engine Company were confined, solely, or -chiefly, to the charge of the Engines, the Hose, and the Gear,—as, -indeed, it should be,—it is the opinion of the most experienced Firemen, -that the present Union Engine Company is strong enough for that purpose; -all that is required, is a Company of able-bodied men to assist in -working the Engines, after they are brought to the scene of action. -Without any doubt, such a Company could be raised in the city; but a -difficulty arose, as to the question of compensation. The Union Engine -Company, as is well known, receive compensation by the remission of road -money, and exemption from certain civic duties. A similar rule is -followed in other cities, and in some—such as Boston, for -instance—Firemen receive a direct remuneration in money.—In the last -named city, in the year 1851, the amount paid for services of Firemen -alone, without reference to any other expense of the Fire Department, -exceeded fifteen thousand pounds,—a sum greater, in fact, than the whole -revenue of our city. The pay of ordinary members of the Fire Companies -in Boston, is one hundred dollars _per annum_, for each man. - -It is obvious, that we cannot venture to imitate such liberality as -that. Neither is it to be forgotten, that the payment of three or four -hundred men, either by remission of taxes, or by wages in money, would -withdraw just so much, from our available resources. Take, for instance, -the lowest sum proposed for direct payment—that is, ten dollars, a year, -for each man. Three hundred men, at ten dollars each, will make £750; a -sum which looks small, in comparison with the munificence of Boston; yet -still, a very large sum for us. On the other hand, it has been urged, -that any sum that we could afford to pay, would be really no -consideration to any man above the condition of a pauper, and would fail -to attract those whose co-operation it is most desirable to secure. If -the respectable classes—the merchants, tradesmen, householders, and -above all, the young men, natives or residents, of the city, would look -at this matter in its proper light, there would be no necessity for the -offering of any inducement, beyond what would be suggested by public -duty, and mutual protection. In former times, there were Fire Companies -in Halifax, and efficient ones too, based upon such principles; then why -not reorganize such Companies? The Committee are convinced, it would be -doing great injustice to the members of the Union Engine Company, to -suppose, that they give their zealous and valuable services from no -higher motive, than for the sake of the paltry privileges allowed them. - -The time may come, when the population and wealth of the city may -warrant other arrangements, but in the meantime, and for some time to -come, the Committee believe we must trust largely to voluntary exertion. -It is, therefore, recommended, that a Company, or Companies, of not less -than 50 able-bodied men, be raised in each of the six wards of the city, -to be organized into one or more brigades, for the purpose of assisting -at Fires, by working the Engines; and that the duty of organizing said -Companies, in all 300 men, be left in the hands of the Firewards. The -Committee have much pleasure in adding, that the Chairman of Firewards, -D. Murray, Esq., has entered warmly into the project, and has -undertaken, with the aid of his fellow-citizens, to carry it out. - -The Committee cannot dismiss this part of the subject without some -reference to the Military and Naval Departments. On behalf of the -citizens, the Committee acknowledge with gratitude, the exertions of Her -Majesty’s Soldiers and Sailors, at Fires, in times past; but it is not -to be denied, that the presence and active assistance, of so large a -force of disciplined men, on such occasions, has led to a most culpable -supineness, on the part of the inhabitants generally. - -This state of affairs is not creditable, and has not unfrequently served -to promote feelings of jealousy and irritation, which it is hoped, the -formation of the proposed Company, will in future, have a tendency to -prevent. At the same time, it is gratifying to perceive that the General -Commanding has freely tendered the use of the Troops, in future, at -Fires,—provided, the proper application be made for their services. - -Upon the suggestion of the Firewards, the Committee recommend, that His -Worship, the Mayor, or the Chairman of Firewards, may have power to make -application to the General Commanding, for the use of the Troops at -Fires; and that, in the absence of His Worship the Mayor, any two -Aldermen; or in the absence of the Chairman of Firewards, any two -Firewards, shall have the same power. - -The question of Steam Fire Engines next engaged the attention of the -Committee. These machines, it appears, are coming into extensive use in -other places. They have been successfully introduced into the Fire -Departments of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston, and other cities in the -United States. In Boston, there are several, which are said to be -working very satisfactorily. The Mayor of Boston states that, they are -gradually taken the place of the common Hand-engines, and that, in -consequence of their introduction, he hopes next year, to be able to -reduce the expense of the Fire Department, some 20 or 30 thousand -dollars. - -The exertion necessary to work fire engines, by hand labour, is so -exhausting, that it is very desirable steam power should be used, if -possible. To be really useful, however, with us, Steam Fire Engines -should be portable, and constructed on such a principle, as not to be -easily put out of order. From the Report of the Special Committee -appointed to make trial of Steam Fire Engines in Boston, last year, it -appears, that of 4 Engines—the best that could be procured—one weighed, -7,330 lbs., another, 7,480 lbs., another, 9,330 lbs., and the fourth, -9,415 lbs. The shortest time occupied in raising steam to 60 lbs. -pressure, from cold water, was 10½ minutes. The greatest horizontal -distance thrown of a single stream of 1¼ inches, through 200 feet of -hose, was 163 feet, and the greatest vertical height 110 feet. This does -not seem a very wonderful performance, but the advantage is, that a -Steam Engine would continue to throw such a stream as long as it was -supplied with fire and water. On the other hand, the weight, being three -or four tons, would require, at least four horses to move one of them on -a level, and six horses, when it would be necessary to ascend a hill. -The cost of one of these Engines, in Boston, is about three thousand -dollars. - -As a Steam Fire Engine would be of comparatively little use, until the -city is better supplied with water, and as it is highly probable that a -cheaper and lighter class of steam machines will be introduced before -long, the Committee think it would be wise to make further enquiry -before purchasing a Steam Fire Engine, and suggest that His Worship the -Mayor shall take such steps, by correspondence, or otherwise, as will -put the Council in possession of the latest information on this point. - -This brings the Report to the discussion of what is after all, the real -difficulty—the obtaining of a more abundant supply of water. - - * * * * * - -The Directors of the Halifax Water Company, in a statement recently -submitted to the public, complain of some want of courtesy, on the part -of the City Council, and of this Committee, in reference to their -proposition, previously described. The Committee regret this slight -misunderstanding, as they are very sure the omission adverted to, was -accidental, and was not intended to be disrespectful. - -There is, however, an inconsistency in the statement of the Water -Company. The document sets out by shewing the anxiety of the Directors -to give an additional supply of water, and to make such arrangements as -would ensure the city against the recurrence of terrible visitations by -Fire; thereby intimating their opinion, that a better supply was -required.—In the concluding part of the same statement, they undertake -to prove, very confidently, that on the night of 9th September last, -there was an ample supply of water in the pipes; some of the plugs being -so full as to burst the hose; and that the alleged inefficiency was not -in accordance with the facts. If such was really the case, the Committee -cannot understand how the Directors of the Water Company can expect the -city to pay three hundred and fifty pounds yearly, for an additional -supply of water, for fire purposes, when, it may be inferred from their -argument, an additional supply was unnecessary. - -Apart from this discrepancy, the Directors of the Water Company, now -propose to lay down a 12-inch pipe, by the Ball Court to Brunswick -Street; thence south by Barrack Street to Sackville Street, with 6-inch -pipes down all the intermediate streets; and a 6-inch pipe in Hollis -Street, from Sackville to Buckingham Streets. - -The Committee have no doubt this would be an improvement as far as it -goes; though it differs, very widely, from the views of Mr. Stone, the -gentleman sent out from England to enquire into the cause of the late -Fire. According to Mr. Stone’s notions, as detailed by him, in a -memorandum submitted to the Committee, there should be a main pipe of -not less than 3 feet, from the Long Lake to St. Andrew’s Cross; then a 2 -feet main to the south end of Barrack Street, and another, to the north -end of Brunswick Street, with 12-inch mains in every principal street of -the city. - -It may be said, these are merely the opinions of an Agent of the -Insurance Offices, and that his views are extreme; yet it should be -remembered that Mr. Stone has had very large and long experience in such -matters, which ought, in justice, to give his opinions great weight. St. -John, New Brunswick, is supplied by a 12-inch and a 24-inch main; the -24-inch main being, of itself, equal to five 12-inch mains. These two -main pipes empty into a tank, which again supplies 6 mains of 12 inches -each, which, with other main pipes, chiefly 10-inch—and none less than -4-inch—are distributed over the city.—There are 93 fire plugs in St. -John, exclusive of 18 in Portland,—while we have but 43. - -But even supposing the proposed additions of the Water Company to be -sufficient for the central part of the city,—it is evident, that after -the additional pipes are laid, the north and south districts of the city -will be quite as badly provided as before. The offer of the Water -Company, in fact, proposes to protect a part of the city, in -consideration of a certain sum, which must, of course, be derived from -assessment levied upon the whole; with this additional disadvantage, -that were a Fire to break out in the part unprotected,—which is chiefly -of wood,—it might gain such headway, as to endanger every part alike. It -does not affect the argument, that the new pipes are to be laid down in -the most valuable business portions of the city; inasmuch, as the north -and south districts include vast numbers of houses both of rich and -poor; and surely, it must be admitted, that the lives and dwellings of, -at least, one half of the population, most of whom would pay their -proportion of the fire tax, are as much entitled to protection, as the -warehouses and merchandize of the other half. - -The Committee are of opinion that £350 in addition to the £650 already -paid, is too large a sum to pay yearly, for a protection, limited in -extent, and of somewhat doubtful efficiency. They recommend, therefore, -that the offer of the Water Company be not accepted. - -The two remaining topics are the most important of all, as they -contemplate large operations, and heavy expenditures. - -At this stage of the enquiry, it may not be uninteresting, nor -uninstructive, to shew, what efforts other cities have made, to obtain -the inestimable benefits, of an abundant supply of pure water. - -The New Water Works of Glasgow, lately inaugurated by Her Majesty the -Queen, cost a million and a half of pounds sterling, or about three -pounds sterling per head of the population. The Liverpool Water Works -cost about the same sum. New York has expended twenty millions of -dollars on her Water Works, or about forty dollars per head of the -population, and the works are still in progress. The Boston Cochituate -Works have cost some six millions of dollars, or about thirty dollars -per head; while in our own British Provinces, Montreal has expended four -hundred and twenty thousand pounds, or twenty-four dollars per head, and -Quebec two hundred and twenty-eight thousand pounds, or twenty dollars -per head. To come still nearer home, we may instance St. John, New -Brunswick. The population of St. John is not much greater than the -population of Halifax; her wealth and resources, certainly not superior -to our own. St. John has embarked one hundred thousand pounds in her -Water Works, and considers the investment, one of the best, in every -sense, ever made for the city. - -It will thus be seen, that we are somewhat behind the age, in this, as -in some other matters. To be prepared for a liberal outlay, in some mode -or other, is in fact, scarcely optional with us any longer. If we refuse -to pay for water, we will be obliged to pay a larger tax in some other -way. Supposing the rates of insurance to be doubled—as they may be; -there is, at once, an extra sum of ten or twelve thousand pounds to be -paid, every year, in cash—a sum more than sufficient to pay the interest -on a capital of £150,000. To say nothing of protection from Fire, and -the large amount which would be saved in the way of insurance, which a -really efficient system of Water Works would give us, there are the -additional considerations of health, cleanliness, and the promotion of -manufacturing industry. Then, there is the question of Sewerage, which, -before many years, will be forced upon this Council, but which, without -an abundance of water, will be absolutely unmanageable. It is impossible -to over-estimate the beneficial effects of a plentiful supply of water. -It would be worth some thousands of pounds, every year, if our city -could, thereby, be effectually relieved of the one single nuisance of -dust, which every Summer pollutes our atmosphere, and spoils our goods. -The Committee trust these remarks will not be deemed irrelevant. - -The Resolutions of Alderman Twining, in reference to the purchase of the -Halifax Water Company’s Works, are, of course, based upon the -presumption, that the Company are willing to sell. The Committee have -reason to believe this to be the fact, though they are not, at present, -in a position to state, precisely, what sum would be required for the -purchase. It certainly, however, would not exceed £50,000; probably, -something less than that amount would suffice. - -Upon the general principle involved in Alderman Twining’s Resolutions, -the Committee think there can hardly be much difference of opinion. They -are firmly persuaded, it would be greatly to the advantage of the -community, for the city government to have control of all such works. -But there are some grave points which ought to be discussed, previous to -the opening of negotiations with the Water Company. To make these works -thoroughly efficient, for every requirement of the city, and having -reference to the future, as well as the present,—an expenditure of not -less than forty or fifty thousand pounds, will be necessary. This is a -startling statement, but, upon examination, it will be found to be not -very wide of the mark. - -It is a well known fact, that the water will not rise, with any force, -in the north suburbs of the city; in the vicinity of the North Barracks, -for instance; which, before ten years will be a very populous district. -It is laid down, as a rule of engineering, that the efficiency and value -of any system of water supply, is in direct proportion to the quantity -of water which can be stored with sufficient head, as near as possible -to the points of consumption. The water systems of New York and Boston, -though so enormously costly, are said, still, to be defective, from the -want of head pressure; the nature of the ground not permitting better -arrangements. These defects, in the water systems of the cities alluded -to, are in some measure remedied, by larger main pipes, and by -reservoirs. - -Now, it has been ascertained by the actual measurements of Mr. Gossip, -that the plug at the corner of North and Gottingen Streets is, in fact, -higher than the point where the water pipes diverge at St. Andrew’s -Cross; while the long ridge to the westward and northward of North -Street, is 197 feet above low water mark,—being as high, if not higher, -than the surface level of the Long Lake. When it is borne in mind, in -addition, that the lake itself, is five miles distant, without any -intervening reservoir,—we have in these facts, a sufficient explanation -of the inefficiency of the Water Works at the North end of the city. The -same reasoning applies though in a less degree, to the south suburbs, -where the ground is lower; yet the distance, operating with an extended -system of distribution, deprives the water of the necessary force. - -To make the present Water Works, therefore, thoroughly efficient, for -fire purposes, and for the supply of every part of the city, would -involve, first,—the laying down of larger pipes, from the lake, and -through the city; second,—the construction of a reservoir sufficiently -elevated to command the highest streets; and thirdly,—the cost of -machinery, suitable for the purpose of keeping the reservoir always full -of water. - -The Committee are under the impression, that the improvements indicated, -cannot be effected, at a cost, much, if any, less than the sum named. It -is true, that for many purposes, the present Water Works, might be made -with a comparatively small outlay, to answer tolerably well for some -years to come; but in the all-important matter of protection from fire, -it is their belief, that any patching of the present system, is mere -trifling; the only result of which will be, to waste money, and to -engender a false security; which may possibly terminate in some -calamity, more serious than any that has yet occurred. When the water -was first introduced into St. John—some years ago—the engineer -recommended the laying down of a 24 inch instead of a 12 inch main, but -the difference of cost—some £12,000, was thought to be an insuperable -objection, and the 12 inch main was laid. Not many years after, the -citizens of our sister city, lost one hundred and fifty thousand pounds, -in one night, simply from the want of a sufficient supply of water. - -It was the inefficiency of our Water Works for fire purposes, that first -turned Mr. Edward Longard’s attention to this subject. The Committee -will leave the further consideration of Alderman Twining’s Resolutions, -for the present, in order to explain Mr. Longard’s scheme. As an -intelligent native mechanic, and an experienced fireman, who has devoted -much time, and thought, to the question of water supply, it is but fair -to Mr. Longard, to state his views in detail. - -Starting with the conviction, that the Long Lake can never afford -sufficient head pressure, by the natural power of gravitation,—Mr. -Longard proposes to bring the water from the Birch Cove Lakes, into a -Reservoir, to be built on Shaffroth’s hill, and thence, by three main -pipes into the city,—one for the north—another for the middle—and -another for the south district. The Birch Cove Lakes having an elevation -of 237 feet, which might be raised by damming to 240, or even to 245 -feet, would be sufficient, without mechanical aids, to fill the -reservoir on Shaffroth’s hill; the summit of which is some 230 feet -above the sea, and admirably situated for commanding the whole city. -From this height, the water would descend upon the city, throughout its -whole length, with such force, that the present Engine Company would be -able, without assistance, either from the citizens, or the military, to -subdue a fire, in far less time, than it could possibly be accomplished -by 500 men, with the present defective water-system. - -“By the proposed scheme, 16 efficient jets could be concentrated on any -point in the city below Barrack street, each jet delivering, at least, -100 gallons a minute—in all 1600 gallons each minute; and in all the -higher and suburban parts of the city an ample supply would be -furnished.” - -Mr. Longard computes the cost of this work not to exceed £40,000, and -that the interest and other annual expenses, would not be over £2600, -while the saving in insurance alone, would be, at least, double that -amount; leaving a yearly surplus, of clear gain to the citizens, of some -£2500. - -The Committee are free to admit, that, in their judgment, Mr. Longard’s -scheme is simple and intelligible, and supported by facts and arguments, -which cannot fail to produce a strong impression on the public mind. The -calculation of saving, in the item of insurance, is a most modest one, -Mr. Longard having based it upon a supposed reduction of one-eighth per -cent, while the probability is, that one half per cent would be much -nearer the truth. The very first year after the introduction of the -Croton Water into New York, the premiums of insurance were reduced, on -an average, 40 cents on the hundred, while the expenses of the Fire -Department, which had previously been seventy thousand dollars, fell the -same year, to thirty thousand. The want of water, this year, will impose -an extra tax, upon our own citizens, of certainly not less than ten -thousand pounds. - -Were there no Water Works already in Halifax, the Committee would have -no hesitation in recommending Mr. Longard’s scheme for the adoption of -the Council. There are, however, certain advantages to be derived from -the purchase of the Water Company’s Works, which ought not to be -overlooked. There is the great advantage of having so much work already -done, and an income at once available; which income, the Committee -believe, might be considerably increased, by judicious management, under -civic control, without becoming a grievance to any citizen. - -The Committee are very loth to assume the responsibility of advising in -this matter, but they have arrived at certain conclusions, which they -now submit for the consideration of the Council. - - * * * * * - -The present Committee was called into existence, chiefly for the purpose -of considering the best mode of obtaining a larger supply of water for -fire purposes; but the Resolutions of Alderman Twining, which were -submitted to the Council previous to the Great Fire, having been -referred to this Committee,—the field of enquiry is, thereby, -proportionally enlarged. Indeed, the Committee feel, that they have now -the whole question of water supply for the city before them, and the -exigencies of the time demand, that it should be dealt with in a -comprehensive spirit. - -Taking this broad view of the question, the Committee, then, have two -schemes presented for their consideration; either of which, for about -the same cost, it is believed, may be made to answer every requirement -of the city; and to each of which, certain peculiar advantages, and -disadvantages, appertain. - -Supposing the purchase of the Halifax Water Company’s Works, which, at -present, barely suffice for domestic purposes, to require £50,000; it -would require another £50,000, to make them efficient for fire purposes, -and for the supply of the upper parts of the city. But an advantage -would be gained by having a great part of the work already completed. - -On the other hand, supposing Mr. Longard’s scheme to be adopted; the -carrying out of this scheme, solely for fire purposes, would cost some -forty or fifty thousand pounds, while to extend it through the city, so -as to make it available for every purpose, would cost some fifty -thousands additional; beside keeping the streets in confusion for years -to come. - -It is thus apparent, that neither scheme is perfect, and that either -scheme fully developed, so as to be made capable of supplying the wants -of the whole city, would cost, somewhere in the neighbourhood of -£100,000. - -Such being the state of the case, and assuming no better plan to be -presented to the Council, the Committee suggest, whether, upon the -whole, it would not be best for the city, partially to adopt both -schemes, and thereby secure the advantages of each, without incurring -the inconveniences of either. The Committee have an impression that the -present Water Works could be purchased, and put in good working order, -for a sum, not exceeding £50,000; and that for another £50,000—perhaps -for less money—an ample supply might be obtained, by Mr. Longard’s -scheme, for fire purposes, and for the supply of the higher parts of the -city. The cost of both schemes, would thus, not exceed, what it would be -necessary to expend, to make either scheme perfect; and the city would -enjoy the unquestionable benefit of having two sources of water supply, -instead of one. - -The Committee do not consider it any part of their duty, to suggest the -mode, by which the capital, necessary for these operations, may be -raised; yet it is their conviction, that in a financial point of view, -the enterprise would be a safe one.—A fire tax, levied upon real estate, -would meet the interest of half the capital; and the other half would be -more than met, by the revenue derivable from consumers. - -The Committee present the above view of the case, as the best practical -solution of a perplexing problem which, at this time, occurs to their -minds,—reserving to themselves, of course, the right to adopt any more -feasible plan that may be suggested. - -As a preliminary step, however, and taking all the circumstances into -consideration, the Committee finally recommend: - -That the City Council shall, forthwith, or as soon as may be -convenient—consult some competent and experienced Engineer, whose advice -and opinions may enable the Council to decide, what is best to be done, -in order to accomplish the desired end. - -This course was adopted by the city of St. John, in like circumstances; -as well as by Montreal and Quebec; and from the Report, lately -published, it appears, that a precisely similar course was pursued, by -the Common Council of Glasgow, before they embarked in that splendid -scheme, by which they have recently introduced the water into the city -from Loch Katrine. - -The Committee cannot be supposed to know, and do not pretend to know, -more of the matter under discussion than many of their fellow-citizens. -They have endeavoured to discharge a very difficult task to the best of -their ability, in the hope that such measures will ultimately be adopted -by the Council, in reference to the supply of water, as will meet the -expectations, and satisfy the present and future demands, of the whole -community. - -In conclusion, the Committee have to acknowledge the friendly -co-operation and assistance of His Worship the Mayor, the Chairman and -Ex-Chairman of Firewards, Mr. Muir, Superintendent of the Halifax Water -Works, and of several members of the Fire Department. They have also to -tender their thanks to F. W. Lincoln, Junr., Esq., Mayor of Boston, and -John M. Walker, Esq., Commissioner of Water Works at St. John, New -Brunswick, for much valuable information, furnished with obliging -promptitude. - - All of which is respectfully submitted, - JOHN A. BELL, - _Chairman_. - - HALIFAX, N. S., 2ND DECEMBER, 1859. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES - - - 1. Silently corrected typographical errors. - 2. Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed. - 3. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Report of a special committee of the -City Council, on the improvement of , by City Council Halifax (N.S.) - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REPORT OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE *** - -***** This file should be named 53803-0.txt or 53803-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/8/0/53803/ - -Produced by Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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