THE BOROUGH COUNCIL AND THE GAS WORKS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXII, Issue 164, 14 July 1886, Page 2

THE BOROUGH COUNCIL AND THE GAS WORKS.

l special meeting of the Bjrough , iouncil m Committee of the wholp ook place last night, to consider tho [iiestion of purchasing the gas work 3 ir constructing new works, m accord;nce with the resolution -passed at tho )o.blic meeting of ratepayers on tho LOth of J une. 1 His Worship the Mayor md all the Councillors were present. - A letter was read from Messrs Sinclair and McCallum, on behalf of Mr Pritchard, offering to sell the g.is svorks to the Corporation for £14,000, he to complete the new gasholder, ami expressing his willingness to advance the whole sum to the Borough at tf per cent, the amount to be paid off m one sum or m £1,000 instalments. Six weeks' time was given to the Council to consider the offer.. If it was declined, then Mr Pritchard would float a Company for purchasing the works, and would himself take £4,000 m shares. His object m wishing to part with the works was the necessity of his leaving for Sydney, where he was engaged m Government contracts. The proposed Bill m Parliament of the Wairau Gas Company was laid before the Council, the following being an epitome of it : — The preamble recites that a Joint Stock Company has been incorporated by the name of "The Wairau Gaa Company Limited " for the purchase of the present gas works of Blenheim and for production and supply of gas m and for the town of Blenheim. Power i 3 given to the Company to -. purchase such gasworks and to con- "* struct and maintain works upon allotments 1, 2, .°», of section 4fi Opawa. The Company may open and break up the soil and pavement of streets and bridges and any sewers, drains, or tunnels ; and may lay down pipes and conduits, and repair, alter or remove tho same ; and may make any sewers to carry off tho washings and waste liquid from the gas ; and may erect any pillars and lamps and do anything necessary to supply gas within the Borough, doing as little damage and interrupting traffic as little as possible, and making compensation for any damage. The Company is not to enter on private grounds without consent, except to substitute any pipe for an existing pipe, or to make alterations and repairs. Owners and occupiers may alter positions of pipes on certain conditions. Forty eight , hours notice must be given to the Corporation before breaking up streets or opening drains, except m cases of emergency.: The Corporation is to superintend such - breakinot-up of streets and drains. ' The Company is to reinstate them; without delay, and to keep a light burning at night near the road or pavement so broken up, and keep such road or pavement m repair for three months afterwards, and for such further time, if anyj not being more than twelve months m the whole, as the soil shall continue to subside.. A penalty of £5 a day is to be paid by ; the Company for any breach of the foregoing provisions. The Corporation may require the situation of any pipes to be altered by giving notice to the Company to alter them forthwith, but the Corporation is to pay the expensoa. A majority of the inhabitants of any district m the Borough may require the Company to extend the pipes not less than a milo m a continuous line, on their showing to the satisfaction of two Justices that the net profits to the Company by such extension would not be less than 15 per cent on the coßt of the extension and on a reasonable proportion of the cost of the worka connected therewith. The Company is liable to a penalty of £5 a day for not extending their pipes according to the bat named provision. The Company 1 may dontract with the Corporation for lighting the streets. The usual provisions are embodied as to letting meters, recovering gas rents, cutting off the supply, wilful damage to pipes, and fraudulent use of gas. The Company is to have no remedy against an incoming tenant for arrears owing by a former tenant. Penalties are inflicted on the Company for causing water to be polluted ; on the customer for wasting gas ; and on the Company for allowing gas to escape after notice. The Company may make by-laws and regulations. The profits to be divided among the shareholders shall not exceed 20 per cent, unless a larger dividend be necessary to make up the deficiency of any previous dividend. If it shall appear that the profits are sufficient to paj a larger dividend than 20 per cent, the Company is to make a ratable reduction m the price of gas, so that such rates, when reduced, shall ensure to tho shareholders a profit as near as possible to tha prescribed rate. Tho Committee having discussed the matter, reported to the Council. Resolved, That the Council endorse the resolutions of the public meeting of tho 10th June. The Committee reported that tliflj^ had interviewed Mr Pritchard, whov was willing to extend the time mentioned m his letter from six wooks to three months. Resolved, That the Mayor and Town Clerk telegraph to Mr. Dodson, M.H.R., asking the position of tho bill, and requesting him to keep tha Council advised as to its progress. Resolved, That a memorial he sent to the Examiner of Standing Orders, complaining that the bill had not complied with such standing orders, notice of the introduction thereof not having been given within 14 days of the assembling of the House ; and that the Corporation petition Parliament, praying that the Bill be not passed. Mr Pritchard having consented to a valuer entering on his works and making a valuation for the Council, it was resolved that such a valuation be made, and that the Corporation secure the services of a competent person to make it. The Council then adjourned.

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