[Newspaper]
Publication: The Globe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
vol. 55, no. 15322, p. 25, col. 1-2
RUST MUST DO IT.
Waterworks Dispute is Placed
in His Hands.
THE CITY HALL DOINGS.
Meeting of the Board of Works —
Extravagant Use of Water — Request
to Erect Telephones.
The responsibility for settling the dispute between Engineer Heal and the employees at the high level pumping station has been placed upon City Engineer Rust. The Board of Works at its meeting refused to allow the investigation to go before the County Judge, and threw out the report of the sub-committee recommending the latter course.
When the report of the sub-committee was brought in Ald. Lamb immediately objected to it, stating that there would be no advantage in sending the matter on to the County Judge. He thought the City Engineer was the right party to deal with it, even if it involved the dismissal of all the men at the high level pumping station. For his part the considered that while Mr. Heal might be a competent engineer, he was quite incapable of managing the employees under him. He moved that the matter be sent back to the Engineer, with instructions that he do his duty.
Ald. Score agreed with Ald. Lamb that the Engineer should attend to the matter himself, and so did Ald. Graham, Frame and Russell. Ald. Davies, Denison and Woods opposed this, but on the vote being taken Ald. Lamb’s motion carried.
Very little change was made in the report of the City Engineer when the committee came to consider it. The recommendation for a brick pavement on Prince Arthur avenue was struck out at the request of the City Engineer, while that for a cedar block pavement on Beaty avenue was referred back, so that the residents there could be consulted as to whether that was the kind of pavement they wanted.
A deputation was present consisting of J. E. Cook, R. G. Smythe, D. E. Adams, E. T. Campbell and others, asking that the proposed pavement on Major street be done in asphalt. Their views carried with the board.
The request of the Diamond Glass Company that the corner of Blair street adjacent to their property be straightened, and that the company be permitted to use it for the erection of a building, was referred to the City Engineer.
Want to Erect Poles
The letter from the Bell Telephone Company stating their position in regard to furnishing a service in the northwest portion of the city was read. The company desire to erect poles on the streets north of Bloor and west of Avenue road, but if they are not to cut the trees they would have to erect poles more than forty-five feet high, the company claiming that they have the right to erect poles of that height anywhere by their charter.
The City Engineer reported that if the company had this right it might be advisable to give them permission to erect the higher poles.
Ald. Lamb was strongly in favor of allowing the company to put up the poles, but the letter was eventually turned over to the Solicitor, the latter to report as to the legal position of the company.
The Engineer was also requested to report regarding the necessity, on the ground of convenience, of having a belt line of cars around Church. Bloor, Avenue road, Dupont and Bathurst, taking in the Union Station.
The City Engineer reported that parties had erected a building on the east side of Spadina avenue south of the railroad bridge, encroaching on the street. and he wanted it removed. Mr. Robert Wilson, lumber merchant, whose building it was, produced authority from the Assessment Commissioner for its erection, and the feeling of the committee was that as the building did no harm it should stay there. However, a sub-committee will go and take a look at it.
A recommendation from the Engineer that a 12-inch tile pipe sewer be constructed on Queen street from the east side of Knox to a point 500 feet east was concurred in. The work will cost $757, and the city’s share will be $140.
Use Too Much Water.
The consumption of water in Toronto is something that is bothering the City Engineer. Mr. Rust believes that it is entirely too great, and thinks that there would be a great saving were proper care exercised. This is one of the matters that he emphasizes in his report, and in his estimates he provides for a better metering of the house service. Speaking on the subject this morning, Mr. Rust said that the average consumption of water in Toronto was one hundred gallons per head per day. He believed it was possible to reduce this by looking more closely after the waste, by metering the pipes in some cases, and by more carefully metering the house services. In New England, Mr. Rust pointed out, the consumption of water had been reduced to about 65 gallons, while the old country made even a better showing, the consumption there being from 33 to 40 gallons. Buffalo, however, is more extravagant in the use of water than Toronto, using considerably more than 100 gallons daily per head. Mr. Rust says that the service here is in a serious condition at the present time, and that the city has either to reduce the waste or else increase the capacity of the plant.
Will Give the Land.
The recommendation of the City Engineer that Noble street be not extended east and south to Queen street as a local improvement has had its effect. Mr. Rust gave it as his opinion that the proper way to extend the street was for the owners of the land required to dedicate it free of cost to the city. Messrs. Arnoldi & Bristol, representing the owners of the property affected, have waited upon Ald. Saunders, Chairman of the Board of Works, and stated that they will give the necessary land to the city. Under these circumstances, Mr. Rust will probably recommend the extension of the street.
City Hall Notes.
Meriden, Conn desires to make some changes in its street car service, and City Engineer Clarke of that place has written to Mr. Rust, enquiring whether the construction of street car tracks on a concrete bed has been tried, here, and, if so, if it has given satisfaction.
Another enquiry to the City Engineer's Department comes from a number of citizens of Joliette [sic] Joliet, Ill. They ask whether land asphalt makes a servicable [sic] serviceable pavement, or whether pitch lake is preferable. At one time Toronto used a little of the land asphalt, but at present pitch lake is altogether used.
The Board of Control will meet at 11.30 this morning, when it is expected that Mr. Fullerton will give his opinion regarding the Sunnyside Orphanage award.
