A LANCASHIRE CONFERENCE ON WAYSIDE WATER SUPPLIES.:
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An important conference of water engineers and motor users of Lancashire was held at Preston on Wednesday, 5th May, 1915, Mr. A. Foster, of Messrs. G. and R.,Dewhurst, Ltd., being in the chair. The Chairman, in his opening remarks, expressed his opinion that it was to the mutual advantage of both users and suppliers of water, that existing arrangements shOuld be' discussed with a view to improving the present method ยง of _water supply to motor vehicles on the road. He instanced an experience of his own firm to show, after making all possible arrangements to secure a proper supply of water, they were forced, under the special circumstances, to take water without the permission of the local authority, thereby subjecting themselves to prosecution.
Mr. Gosselin, on behalf of the motor users, thanked the water engineers for the way they had come forward to meet them. In the course of his remarks he pointed out the dangers of allowing motor-wagon drivers to tamper with hydrants connected to highpressure water mains. There was no provision made for the supply of water to vehicles which only occasionally passed through any district. The variation of the charges for water in different districts, which
ranged from 10s. to 80s. per annum, was sufficient evidence of the want of uniformity. He asked the Conference to consider the various points he had mentioned, and appealed to them to adopt some system whereby these defects would be eliminated.
Mr. G. J. Gibba,' A.M.I.E.E.; consulting engineer, explained on behalf of the Commercial Mcitor Users Association, two different systems by which supplies of water could be obtained at a uniform price and paid for when taken. The systems mentioned included the use of slot, meters and water fountains as manufactured by Messrs. Glenfield and Kennedy, Ltd.
An interesting discussion took place, after which it waa decided to adopt the fountain system for trial, and a sub-committee was formed, comprising Messrs. J. H. Massey (Oldham) F. R. Brunt (Rochdale), R. B. Rigby (Bury), water engineers of the districts in which it was proposed to experiment, and Messrs. C. Le M. Gosselin (Preston), Reynolds (Manchester), and Jos. Orrell (Darwen), representing the motor-vehicle users. It was also decided that should the experience prove successful, a further conference be held to report results, and, if advisable, to extend the scheme.