Borough Council.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 293, 9 December 1902, Page 3

Borough Council.

THE WATER GAS QUESTION

THE PROPOSAL AGREED TO,

An adjourned special meeting to consider the question of lighting waimate by water gas was held last evening, His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. Manchester) occupying the chair and there being also present Crs. Bitchener, Sinclair, Freeman, Jones, Barclay, Nicol, Cameron, Inkster and Ooltman.

The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Mr J. Watt, manager of the New Zealand Water Gas Engineering Co., wrote that he was prepared to sign a fresh copy of the old agreement or the present one with a clause added that he be granted an extension of three months from time of signing such agreement, within which to commence active operations in erection of gasworks in Waimate and upon condition that he shall expend not less than £3OO on building, plant or machinery on a site within that time and that he be granted a further period of three months above time mentioned in agreement wherein to complote the works. Mr Watt did not anticipate that this extension would be required, but it was to safeguard against accident or unforseen delay.

Aii opinion was received from Mr W. M. Hamilton that if the Council chose to waive its right to cancel the old agreement a fresh one would not be necessnry but that simply the necessary alterations could be added. However, before such fresh agreement were entered into, a bond should be obtained. A petition signed by twenty-one business men in the town was received asking the Council to give favourable consideration to Mr Watt's proposal, as motive power was required to drive their machinery, and they considered the gas would be very suitable.

After some little discussion it was proposed by Cr. Nicol, and seconded by'Or. Cameron, "That the resolution passed at a meeting held on 25th August terminating the agreement with Mr Watt of Balelutha to install water gas in Waimate be rescinded."

Speaking to the motion Cr. Nicol said that they had absolutely nothing to lose by installing the gas, and it was their duty to heed the petition of twenty-one business people asking for the gas for power alone. After further discussion Cr. Nicol withdrew Ins motion in favour of one proposed by Cr. Barclay and seconded by Cr. Nicol. Cr Barclay thought that if a fresh agreement were asked the Council should pay for it. His Worship : Oh, no. Cr. Barclay said Mr Watt paid £ls for the last. The chairman said he should have kept it. Cr. Barclay said that it would not be fair to ask him to pay when the old agreement, with a new clause, would do.

The chairman pointed out that this was all that was necessary. Or. Coltman could not support the motion unless the entering into a bond were made the first condition.

Cr. Sinclair said tins was not necessary. Mr Watt was bound hand and foot now.

Cr. Inkster did not think Mr Watt would object to signing the bond first.

Cr. Barclay saw no necessity for signing the bond first, but he did not think Mr Watt would object to this.

The motion was then altered to road :—" That a fresh agreement be entered into with Mr J. Watt, gas engineer, to instal water gas in Waimate, the conditions being those already set forth in the agreement drawn up and signed by both parties (dated Feb. 24,1902) with the addition of the following provisions, viz., that an extension of time of three months from the date of signing this agreement be given to Mr Watt within which he is to begin active operations, that within three months he is to expend on the site, in the way of buildings, erection of plant, machinery, etc., the sum of at least £3OO, and that the bond to be entered into shall cover all default connected with this last clause ; that a period of three months be given Mr Watt within which he may complete his contract. That these terms be hereby agreed to by this Council provided that the approved bond be handed ihto the Council's custody when the agreement is signed by both parties. The motion was put and carried unanimously.