WATER SUPPLY ITEMS

WATER SUPPLY ITEMS

The use of water meters by the aqueduct department of Newark, N. J., will insure a great economy in the consumption of the new water supply, and also brings to the city a large increase of income from water rents. The introduction of ventilating fans, operated by water motors, is largely responsible for the greatly increased consumption. In hundreds of places throughout the city in the summer time the water runs from early morning until midnight through the motors into the sewers, and from this consumption the city has derived very little revenue. There is also an immense waste in large industrial establishments, stables and other places where water is in constant use. The city will have the principal and interest of $6,000,000 of new water "bonds to pay, and it will be a gratifying fact if, while this debt is amply provided for out of the earnings of the department, there shall also be some surplus income for improvements and betterments in the aqueduct service. It may be practicable, with the large receipts, to make some reduction in the water rates.

马萨诸塞州立法机关批准该法案to Malden, Medford and Melrose all the State’s rights in Spot pond has become law. A great fight was made on it before the committee, but finally it slipped through the legislature with a celerity that was noticeable, the representatives of the towns interested in both the Senate and House being active in its passage. It is acknowledged, says The Melrose Journal, that the argument of Col. Hesseltine before the committee was an especially strong presentation of the matter. The bill gives to the three towns the entire right and authorizes tlie water boards to make rules and regulation* in conjunction with the selectmen of Stoncham. The latter only have one vote out of four, and of course would be powerless as against the llirte municipalities most largely interested, but as these rules and regulations are largely of a police nature it was thought wise to include Stoncham, within whose limits the pond lies, and it is hoped that the representatives of the four municipalities w’li work together in harmony as seems now likely to be the case. An appeal is provided for from the action of these joint boards to the State Board of Health, but those who are in a position to know do not believe that any such appeal will ever betaken. This is the end of a discussion over which there has been so much talk, both in and out of the legislature, and the legislation is most satisfactory. The immediate result of it will be that the pond will no longer be used as a promiscuous place of resort. 'I he joint boards will undoubtedly give permission to parties owning boats for their own private use to enjoy them under proper regulations, but there will be no more making of the pond a picnic ground. The joint boards will meet almost immediately to make rules and they will go into effect this summer. In addition to the power which it gives the municipalities for keeping people off the pond, it also carries with it the title to the bottom of the pond, which has never been possessed before, and they can now go to work without any question to dredge out the pond w henever it should seem advisable. The probability is that within a short time the boards of Malden, Melrose and Medford will apply to the Supreme Court for an appointment of commissioners to decide in some way upon an equitable division of the water. 'I he Malden people claim that they are not using more than one-third and profess to be perfectly willing to have the matter settled, w hile the Melrose representatives do not believe that they are receiving their third. The pond is now five feet lower than it was at the same time last year.