BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3756, 26 February 1907, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Special Meeting. A special meeting of the above was held in the Borough Council Chambers last evening to consider the proposal submitted by Messrs Atkinson and Son (Auckland), and T. W. Butcher (Wellington) to instal coal gas works at Foxton. Present, His Worship the Mayor (B. G. Gower Esq.)' and Crs Coley, Frankland, Stiles, Baker, and Hickson.. The meeting was called for half past seven but it was nearly eight o’clock before a quorum was present. Councillors expressed surprise that there was not a full meeting to discuss such an important subject. Several ratepayers attended as did also Mr A. Stewart, representative of T. W. Butcher. After a preliminary discussion it was unanimously decided to discuss the the proposals in committee. After a prolonged sitting, during which Councillors thoroughly discussed the proposals submitted and called upon Mr Stewart to answer certain questions, it was proposed by Cr. Frankland, and seconded by Cr. Stiles, “That this Council accepts the Butcher contract, subject to its ratification by the Borough’s solicitors and subject to the word maximum ” rate being substituted for the word ‘ 1 standard ” rate and subject to the insertion of the option for purchase at the end of 20 years.” Carried unanimously. The offer of Messrs Atkinson and Sous was almost as favourable as the one accepted. What killed it was, in the opinion of the Council. the arbitrary clause compelling the borough to purchase after eight years. The following is Mr T. W. Butcher’s offer and conditions

x. The Council to grant the sole right of lighting the public streets and municipal buildiugs for a period of fifteen years. 2. The Council to have the right to take over the works at certain periods on giving twelve months notice, as a going concern, price to be decided by arbitration, on the terms of the agreement herewith, failing the Council exercising the otpions of purchase they to grant a further period of fifteen years; the Council to have the right at the end of the second term to purchase without paying anything for goodwill. 3. The price of gas to be (1) ordinary lighting ten shillings per 1000 c. feet ; heating, cooking, seven shillings and six pence per 1000 c. feet; power, seven shillings per 1000 c. feet; subject to discounts as provided for in the agreement. 4; The Council to receive a concession of twenty-five per cent, upon the price paid by ordinary consumers (less discount) for all purposes, or so much per street lamp as agreed Upon. Other formal conditions as included in the agreement herewith and subject to such modification as may be mutually agreed upon.