THE Mount Ida Chronicle. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1869.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 42, 19 November 1869, Page 2

THE Mount Ida Chronicle. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1869.

Monday last marked another epoch in the history of this town of Naseby—a more important one it would be difficult to conceive. While the health and comfort of the residents will be materially increased, disease will in a great measure be driven from their door. Not only have we gone far to achieve both these great desiderata, but in accomplishing them we stand in a fair way of effecting another important reform. It will, we think, at once be obvious that the above remarks have reference to the first annual meeting of the shareholders of the Naseby Water Works Company, who met at the Victoria Hotel on Monday last, to sign the deed of association and elect directors and office-bearers for the ensuing year, and fairly set the newly constructed machine in motion. From what we have been able to gather we are, we consider, justified in saying that the provisions of the articles which accompany the deed of association are of the most liberal character. For instance, a single share will render a shareholder eligible to be a director for the first year, after which time the possession of three shares will become necessary. The voting power is also, we think, very fairly and very properly arranged. Every shareholder will be entitled to a vote for each share up to ten which he may possess, above which number one extra vote will be awarded for every five additional shares. For so small a company as the Naseby Water Works a better or a wiser distribution of voting power could not, in our opinion, have been arrived at in order to destroy any thing like monopoly, and suit the means and the wishes of all concerned. It must not, however, be supposed, that nothing more remains to be done. The initiative has certainly been taken, and taken well; and, we believe also that the number of shares applied for is quite as large as could have reasonably been expected.

When we say. therefore, that & gooH beginning has been made, we mean tfl suggest that something more than I mere initiatory effort will be needeß before the success of the undertaking can be said to be fully and fairly establ lished. The cause is a good one, anJ if the people are alive to their own in] terest, their own comfort, and theal own happiness, they will neither diaJ continue their efforts nor relax their' exertions until the aim and end of thM Company is attained, and water—put! and undented —in unlimited quantitl is brought into the town for the usd and to the door of every resident wish! ing to avail himself of that luxury! Water will be offered, and offered t< the community at a price so small am insignificant that there can be none whc will not accept the boon with thankful ness. j

But, while speaking of the health! and comfort which the establishment of J the Naseby Water Works will confer! upon the people, we must not lose sight! of another and an almost incalculable! benefit which -will at the same time, and 1 without additional effort, accrue. We 1 allude to protection in case of fire Though this town has hitherto been exempted from any such great and dire j calamity and visitation, it would be but folly for us to allow ourselves to dwell • in false or fancied security. We not desire to appear in any way in character of alarmists ; but we must 1 candidly admit that the dam»er is one 1 which is imminent, and might any day I overtake and overwhelm us, and "one which it is therefore alike duty and our interest to provide against by all the means at our disposal The institution, therefore, of the Naseby Water" Works Company * ill not only have "the effect of providing us with the pure , element for our domestic uses, but will 1 at the same time supply us with the means of defence should the dread foe ever make his unwelcome appearance among us. We cannot conclude these remarks without expressing our best • and most sincere desire for the success of the Naseby Water Works Company, now formally established as an insiitution among us.