Water Supply Committee.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3136, 7 March 1879, Page 2

Water Supply Committee.

A meeting of the above committee was held at the Council Chambers this morning at 11 o'clock. Present—the Mayor (in the chair), Messrs Ehreufried, Speight, Price, Brassey, Brodie, Thorburn. The Chairman stated the object of the meeting was to take into consideration the resolution by Mr Speight, viz., " That a special meeting be held to consider the leasing of the property of the Water Council for a term of years, upon such terms as may be agreed upon; failing the adoption of the foregoing to take other steps for the liquidation of the Committee's liabilities."

Mr Speight said it was needless to call their attention to the miserable condition of their finances, and read a statement showing the position of the Committee. The statement showed that the total liabilities of the Committee, including the sums for which the Borough and County were responsible up to date, amounted to £7822 6s 6d, and amounts that would become due and payable before June would increase it by £245316s Bd, against which an income might be expected of £50 from rates. As he saw no other means of escape, he moved the motion. Mr Ehrenfried seconded Mr Speight's motion, and did so for several reasons. He said they had undertaken considerable works, which had landed them in disaster something like the Harbor. Board. He thought .the best thing they could do was to lease the supply to the Borough. Mr Speight said he was not wedded to his resolution, but they must do something. The Mayor : Can any member of the County suggest any other way out of the difficulty?" I Mr Thorburn asked what was the length of the lease proposed to be given P Mr Speight thought they should first consider the advisability of the principle of leasing, and go into details afterwards. He said it must be understood that no body but the Borough could strike a rate for water. He said be did not believe tho Borough intended to make a shilling by the water, nor could they. He thought that they should levy a slight rate on each house, and those who took water should pay something extra. Mr Brassey said, although his sympathies were with the resolution, he could not see from the Act there was any power to give the Borough the control of the Water Supply. He would move that the advice of the Attorney-General be got on the matter. He quoted law, and contended that if they had power to lease to the Borough, they had power to lease to a private person.

The Chairman asked was it intended on the part of the County to decline giving over their two-eighths interest. Mr Brodie: You have received all the reply you can get from the County. I am not here to answer further. Mr Ehrenfried said it was not the County Council that was present, but the Water Supply, and it was for them to act. Unless something were done the water supply would be neglected, and would soon be worthless. ' " Mr Thorburn moved that the matter stand adjourned for a week, as there was; to be a meeting of the County on Monday, when the matter would be cotmdered by a committee. ' The meeting seemed, inclined to do so, if there was any prospect of that body following the example of. the Fagawai Board. " , , : ' :j Mr Brassey seconded Mr Thorbutn's motion. ! The Mayor thought no good would come out of postponement. Mr Brodie stated that he personally would oppose any transfer of the County interest in the supply, and if the County Council do so he would: in another capacity use ev«ry effort to frustrate that object. i , j After some disoussion, Mr Thorburn withdrew his motion. v ; Mr Brassey moved the following—to be sentto the Attorney-General:—" 'Can the, Thames Water Supply Committee lease 'their property to the Thames Borough Council, the latter taking over all liability." Mr Price seconded, and the motion was carried.

The meeting adjourned till after a reply bad been received from the AttorneyGeneral, one day's notice to be given to members.