WATER SUPPLY,

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 153, 10 July 1901, Page 2

WATER SUPPLY,

MR BRETT S ARTESIAN PRO POSALS.

At the meeting of the Borough Council last night, a letter from Mr IP. M. Porter, agent for Mr lv. Brett, was read, the laf for gentleman’s offer being enclosed. Mr Porter pointed out the advantages of accepting Mr Brett’s offer, which would entail no responsibility on the Council ; if it failed it would not have hindered the preliminaries of any other scheme, while if successful the difference in cost would be such that that there would be no difficulty in dropping any other scheme for an artesian supply. Three weeks prior to an artesian flow of 700 gallons per minute being struck at Wanganui, no less eminent an authority than Mr Mestayer had given it as his opinion that the chances against a sufficient artesian supply being obtained in that neighborhood were oS to 1. Mr Brett’s offer was as follows:

“ I hereby offer to provide a supply of artesian water of not less than 250 gallons a minute, at a point within a mile of the Gisborne town boundary. The work to be completed within six months from the first of September, 1901. The water is to be fit for domestic purposes. If at The expiration of six months my supply reaches 150 gallons, but falls short of 250 gallons a minute, I am to he given a further term of six months in which to increase the supply to the full quantity cf 250 gallons a minute. On completion of my contract the Council is to pay me LSOOO. Upon payment to me of the said sum of LSOOO the source of supply is to vest in the Council. If from any cause my efforts to procure a supply of water shall fail or become abortive the Council shall have no claim against me for any breach of contract. If any doubt, difference, or dispute shall arise between myself and the Council touching the construction of this agreement, or our respective right thereunder, the same shall be referred to arbitration in manner provided in the Arbitration Act of blew Zealand, 1890.” Cr Wbinray eloquently urged acceptance of the offer. The hour being late it was resolved to deal with water on Friday night.