on 15 march 1870, wagga wagga was incorporated as a municipality and george forsyth was chosen as the first mayor of wagga wagga. gas lighting was installed throughout the streets of wagga wagga in 1881, although once again north wagga wagga was neglected. by 1885, a town waterworks and reservoir was established although water quality remained a problem. poor sanitation caused a horrific stench in the town and was blamed for a large increase in infectious diseases such as typhoid fever in the 1890s and early 1900s. in 1908 the council approved a sewerage scheme and by 1914 most of the main streets were sewered. a free public library was opened in 1875 and the council began to establish parklands such as bolton park and the town hall gardens.