THE GAS WORKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3776, 15 October 1907, Page 3

THE GAS WORKS.

At last night’s Borough Council meeting a letter was read from Mr T. W. Butcher stating that owing to the particular class of gas plant specified for the works to be erected not being obtainable in the dominion it has been necessary to call tenders in England for its supply and erection. This and other

causes had delayed the erection. ' The letter stated further that the time mentioned in the agreement (six months), by which a substantial start had to be made, was hardly sufficient. The matter was being pushed on without delay and will be completed before the expiration of the contract time. Messrs Brandon and Hislop were preparing the transfer of the section in Cook-street and held the purchase money and would be pleased to satisfy the Council as to the financial position of the Company to carry out the uuderstaking. Pending the arrival of the complete plant all work that could be possiblj r done would be put in hand immediately. He desired to work amicably with the Council.

The Mayor said the six months allowed Mr Butcher in which to make a start, had elapsed. He had spoken to Mr Pearson, an interested party, recently on the subject. , Cr Stiles said the most important -ijoint was that the works should be finished in contract time. Cr Hennessy said there should be no humbugging on the part of Mr Butcher. A start was to be made with the works within six months, and that had expired and a further two months had been allowed previously. Cr Wilson said the £SO penalty should be enforced if the Council was not satisfied that sufficient progress had not been made. He agreed with Cr Stiles on the other point. The Mayor said the Council, which was the sole judge, could claim the Other Councillors were not satisfied that sufficient progress had been made. Cr Baker proposed, and Cr Hennessy seconded, that Mr T. W. Butcher be advised that the Council intend retaining deposits of £SO in default of him failing to make a/substantial start within the specified time. The Council will, however, reconsider the refund of said amount providing Mr Butcher makes said substantial start before the end of the month. —Carried.