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possession. As Mr. Blackett's report concurred in all essential particulars with that of Mr. Fitzgibbon to the Committee of 1861, upon which the conclusive arrived at by that Committee were mainly founded, and as neither Mr. Fitzgibbon nor any of the other gentlemen referred to, saw reason to change the opinions then expressed, the Commissioners have agreed to the following resolutions, which are in fact little more than an echo of the Report of the Committee of the Council, the only material deviations consisting in the adoption of the proposition that the work should be carried out by the Government itself, instead of by a company under its guaranty, and of the suggestions of Mr. Blackett that a smaller reservoir than that proposed by Mr. Fitzgibbon will be sufficient in the first instance, as it can be enlarged when a greater supply of water is rendered necessary by the increase of the population, and that the reservoir should be divided into two compartments.

1. That the supply should be drawn from the Brook-street stream at a point about 200 feet above high water-mark.
2. That a reservoir should be made in Brook-street Valley of about one acre in extent, with a depth of from 9 to 12 feet, divided into two compartments of equal size, care being taken that at least 5 acres of land are secured, to provide for subsequent enlargement. That the water should be conveyed into the Town by a main of not less than six inches diameter, and distributed by supply pipes of 3 and 4 inches diameter.
3. That the portion of the Town to be supplied in the first instance should be comprised within the following boundaries:—On the north, the Maitai River; on the east, the Maitai River and Brook-street; on the south, the Manuka-street, the Jail, the south side of Trafalgar-square, and Nile-street west; on the west, Waimea-street, with an extension along the Haven Road to the Port.
4. That the cost of the proposed work may be estimated not to exceed £20,000 at the outside.
5. That the undertaking would be best carried out by the Government.
6. That the public should be protected from extravagant rates, by limiting the charge for water supply to a maximum rate upon each house supplied, such rate being in proportion to the value of the property, and not to the quantity of water consumed, excepting in the case of breweries, manufactories, inns and other public establishments.
7. That every inhabited building within the range of the supply should be subject to the rate, even if the owners or tenants decline to consume the water offered to them.
8. That six per cent. upon the annual rental or value of each building would, the Commissioners believe, amount to a rate sufficient to protect the Government from the fear of any considerable loss in interest upon the capital expended upon the proposed works.

The Commissioners do not feel it to be a part of their duty to enlarge upon the importance of a plentiful supply of water to the preservation of the public health, and to the protection of the town from the ravages of fire; but, as regards the latter consideration, they may point out that even in a pecuniary view the amount of the rate, which they calculate will not exceed an average of £2 8s. 0d. upon each building (upon those of small value of course considerably less), will in all cases be met in part, and in many will be actually exceeded, by the reduction in the rates of insurance, which will be the inevitable consequence of the introduction of efficient means of staying the spread of fires in the closely built parts of the Town.

The Secretary to the Board of Works having kindly furnished the Commission with a statement of the number of houses contained within the boundaries above described, the Commissioners find that the progressive increase calculated upon by the Select Committee of the Council, in 1861, was by no means excessive.

On the 31st May, 1861, the number of houses within these boundaries was 388; the Committee computing the probable number at the date of the completion of the works recommended by them, at 450.

On the 30th October, 1862, the actual number, according to the return furnished by the Secretary to the Board of Works, was 460,—and presuming upon at least a corresponding rate of increase in the future, there will be little fear but that the rate would even in the first year reach a sum sufficient, or nearly so, to meet the interest upon the money which the Commissioners propose should be advanced from the Provincial Funds, to carry this important object into effect.

OSWALD CURTIS,
HENRY ADAMS,
SAMUEL KINGDON,
ROBERT BURN,
H. J. GOODMAN.

PRINTED BY R. LUCAS, BRIDGE STREET, NELSON.