Thames Domestic Water Supply.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3187, 7 May 1879, Page 2

Thames Domestic Water Supply.

The usual monthly meeting of this Committee was held at the Council Chambers last evening. Preient —His Worship the Mayor (Chairman), Messrs Brodie, Price and Brassey.

MINUTES. Tho minutes of the previous meetings were read and confirmed. BUBKB STEEET WATER SUPPLY.

The report of the committee appointed to see Captain Souter re the account for the water supply to Burke street wharf, was read as follows :— ° Your committee waited upon Captain Souter, who stated that although the meter by which he was charged for water had been fixed, his attention had never been called to the fact, nor was he aware how it was set at the time it was placed in its position at the shore end of the Goods Wharf. He also stated that the pipes carrying the water to the end of the wharf were in a very leaky condition. Under such circumstances he refused to pay for water charged aa per meter. Your committee had the meter set and a note taken of the fact, and after some conversation with Captain Souter, agreed to recommed to the committee to accept the amount received by, him for water supplied to shipping, as'" shown by his books, and to relieve him from further liability. Your committee deemed this the best course, as Captain Souter refused to pay the acoount as rendered to him; and recommend that the: servants of the committee for the future attend to the supply of water to the shipping in the port.—(Signed)— Wai. MCOULLOUGH. !

Mr Brodie moved the reception, of the report, seconded by Mr Price and carried.

Mr Brassey said that the Committee were not at the mercy of Captain.'Souter, as there was an agreement in writing, binding him to pay for the water as per meter, and no verbal agreement or usage would be of avail. He merely spoke lor the purpose of ventilating the matter, as he had every confidence in the sub-com-mittee appointed, but he did not think the Committee should be put to, any loss. He argued that Captain Souter was bound T>y the agreement. ;■- ■■>: r < Mr Brodie said there had been an oversight on the part of the servants of the Committee, as readings of the meter had not been taken when the meter was first put there. He took the common sense view of the question. Mr Price said he could testify to the indications of the meter \Jrhen it was placed in its position, as it had been imported by his firm. The hands were set at zero, so that all the water indicated now had passed through the meter. There wasi however, no doubt but a great waste of water had taken place through the leaking pipes, but the meter indications were correct* - " si

In answer to Mr Price the Chairman said the water was still under the control of Capt, Souter. He believed that they get about £6 or £10 according to Captain Souter's books. ": ;i The secretary laid before the committee the agreement made between the' Committee and Capt. Souter, also Bis receipt for the hose. He said the Committee's claim was £127. Mr Brassey moved that Capt. Souter be held to the agreement. This would not prevent the Chairman or secretary from receiving suggestions from. Cap.t.j Souter which might be considered at a future meeting. To vary theagreementin any way would be suicidal. They could sue Capt. Souter in the District Court, arid abandon any amount to enable them to bring it before that Court. Cr Price seconded. Carried. . : . . the ieok pipes. , , ■

The report of the Committee appointed to see Mr McCaul re the iron pipes was read as follows:—" Your committee waited upon Mr McCaul, and pointed out the position of the Corporation, and asked him if he could store the pipes arid wait a little time for the amount of his account. To this request Mr McCaul; replied that he was; unable to remain out' of his money, and required Aelgreement made with him to be carried out, or he would be compelled to dispose of the material at the risk of the Domestic Water Supply Committee.-rrXSfgned) Wm. McCullottgh." p ■ The Chairman «aid the price of the pipes would be about £2000. ; Mr Brassey suggested that some large firm might in Auckland be induced to buy the pipes on the understanding that the Committee could repurchase them, the Committee to pay the interest on the outlay. He was going to Auckland in; a few days, and would be glad to do what he could in the matter. The Mayor said the suggestion; a

I good one. , - Mrßrodie laid that when the 9-inch mains were laid in Grahamstown the business people had subscribed towards them. He thought the Shortland people should subscribe toward the cost of these pipes. Insurance in Grahamptb^n had been reduced by one-half by the laying of the large mains, j i;fi;V: ;^j 1 The Mayor said that if the Water Supply' wail under sole control; of, the, Borough he beliered there would be no. difficulty in getting the bank to advance money for the purpose of paying for the pipes.- .':,'■■'■■' '■ { A -.. vJ ' ' Mr Price remarked that perhaps Mr Brassey's, suggestion was the best to be acted upon under the circumstances. The Mayor said he would like to ask Mr Brodie if there was-any poßsib.ility of an arrangement being come to with the County Council for the purchase of their one-quarter interest in the supply^and hate the whole handed to the If such could be done, the difficulties would in a measure be removed, for under the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act a rate could be levied, money could be raised, arid the wants of the community properly attended to. ' Mr Brodie said the Borough refused to go into the matter, and had never asked the County what price was wanted for! their interest. ' r ; :

The Mayor said the Borough Council had not, but the Committee had applied to the County to dispose of its interest with a view of the whole being handed to the Borough. He would like to know if the County would now, entertain a request to sell their interest in the supply to the Borough Council. ■

Mr Brodie said why should the Borough not make the County an offer for the purchase of the large race and the County's interest in the Water Supply. It appeared to him to be a feasible way of getting out of the difficulty. It was only his suggestion; he did not know; the feeling of the County Council. The large supply will produce a revenue of £2000 per annum. : The Mayor said he did not think there

would be any difficulty in raising the money. In private conversation he had heard similar views expressed by several members of the County Council who would be pleased to see the whole matter amicably settled. He considered the suggestion an admirable one. Mr Brodie suggested that the Mayor should call a special meeting of his Council for the purpose. The Mayor replied lie had no objection, and had thought the matter over when the subject was being discussed before, but had come to the conclusion, the better course was for this committee to call the attention of the Borough to the matter, and then negotiations could be entered into with the County Council. . « • ; Mr Brassey mored, absolution to the above effect, which was seconded by Mr Price, and carried.

~ Mr Brodie was sure the money could be obtained, and thought the only question was one of the price., „ -

The Mayor said that would be easily settled: first establish the intention to ■ell, and any difference of opinion as to price could be settled by arbitration. Several accounts were passed for payment, which concluded the business.