A great deal of credit had been given to Mr Hay for what he had recommended, but the speaker did not think he deserved it: all. He (Mr Clifford) charged some or the corporation officers with mis leading the council in the matter, and he also charged the council with misleading the public. In proof of the iatter assertion he quoted from remarks made by the mayor (Mr John Barnes), Crs Fagan, Robin, and Barren at a meeting of the City Council ou February 22,1866. Refer ring to a statement by Cr Robin that "both the inlet and outlet of the reservoir had been stopped and it was found that the water re mained at the same level—another proof that the flow did not come through the bank," he asked, if they stopped both ends of the reservoir, how the they could expect water to come out.—(Loud laughter.) He denied that he had been creating any scare in the matter, and said it was the council that had created the scare. He noticed that the city engineer in his report to the City Council on the previous night had shifted his ground: not a word about the springs, but he (Mr Mirams) did not think the water came through the puddle walls. In con clusion he (the speaker) expressed the opinion that the matter was one that concerned every body. He lived in the Octagon himself, and did not pay rates though 'he was a burgess, and was not personally interested; but nobody would like to have to pay 5s in the pound. There was no doubt that if the worst came the corporation would have to pay compensation, for they had had no end of warn ings. The only thing he saw that could be done was to have an inspector appointed. In the old country there were inspectors of reservoirs, the same bs there were in this colony inspectors of machinery aDd mines. He moved—"That a petition be presented to Parliament praying them to appoint an inspector of reservoirs with duties and powers similar to those of the inspec tors of machinery and inspectors of mines." Mr Grant seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. ' The Chairman said no doubt some further action would have to be taken in the matter. 