THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE GASWORKS.

Evening Star, Issue 3944, 15 October 1875, Page 3

THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE GASWORKS.

A. special meeting of the City Council was held this afternoon, at four o’clock, to consider the recommendation by the Lighting Committee re the purchase of Gasworks, as published by us on tho 13ch instant. There were present all the members excepting Councillor Grant. The report, it appeared, had inadvertently crept into tbe columns of the papers before being laid on the Conned table, it having been placed Amongst other papers handed to the Press representatives. The Mayor said that the report was the result of cool and careful consideration on th* part of the members of tho Gas Committee. Cr Reeves, in moving the adoption of the report, said ihat he strongly favored the purchase ®f the gasworks.with a view of preventing possible pposition in time hereafter. Wherever gasworks had been in the hands of the Corporation they had proved successful. Mr S. Hutchison, a gentleman who had taken a lively interest in tho question, aaid that if the works could be obtained for less tlianJL4s,ooo it would be a cheap investment. Tho recommendation of the committee was that L4J.SCO should be paid for the works, and if tho Council ratified tlm suggestion of the committee the purchase would he com;-loted. Cr. Leary aaid that to build m-w woriu* would be equal to a cost of 1.54,000. The LJomicd unanimously agreed to accept the offer of Mr Ritchie, as attorney for Mr Hankey, to purchase the works at L 43.500, payable by the Corporation Gasworks six per cent, debentures at par, delivery of the works to bo given on the Ist January, 1876, in good order aud condition, as at present. Cr. Roberta left tho room declining to vote, Ihe Mayor saying it was apiece of moral cowardice for him to* refuse to vote on 80 important a question. ■■MMMHMIiaaHI