SCOTT'S ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CIII, Issue 15742, 28 August 1915, Page 5

SCOTT'S ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION.

THE PROPOSED PURCHASE. MEETING AT WAIMATAITAJ. After the iiuished style of a veteran political campaigner, Coiuicd.or explained the proi'osal to purcnase Scott 15ros'. eleotrico-L installation *it a pub.ic meeting JtglcL in the \\ aimutaitai school last night, and alter his address J:o rep. led to a- number of questions. His Worsinp the Mayer presided, and there was a iair .attendance. Councillor Maiing explained that the notice in the advertisement in regard to this matter, relative to the striking of a rate, was formal. Under the law, every loan must he protected h>" a special rate, hut this would on.y be col-leuted in the ovs-nt of the business for which the Joan was ra'.sed, turning out a failure. If the Council thought tho scheme would become a char™ on the rates, they would not advocate it. It wns not a speculation, but was paying just on 7\ per cent, and in years to come the town would reap ;>. great benefit if they bought tlis installation now. They all regretted that the proposal had to be brought forward at such a time as the present, but the opportunity offered now, and it might not offer again.

Councillor Malir.g explained the who'e scheme in detail, and was heartily applauded when lie resumed his seat. Mr Rodgers (of Da'gety and Co.) offered the opinion that had' I lie Council's agreement with Scott Urns. been, published earlier, there would not have been so much opposition to tne scheme. He then went on to ask a series of questions to which Councillor Maling replied. Mr Rodgers contended that Scott Eros', contract -with the Courier I had been broken in so many particulars that the Council could, if they chose, ignore it. In reply to Councillor Murphy, Councillor Mating said that if they .~et aside a sinking fund of per cent, it would r.ofc be necessary to set oside a fund for depreciation also, though in all probability there, would be a sum over and above that devoted to jute rest and sinking fund, and they conk! devote that to depreciation if they chose. 'ln reply to Mr Mundeil. Councilor Ma,ling said they could rot take the installation from Scott Bros, so long as the contract with them was in existence.

Mr Mundell said he thought that a legal opinion should be- obtained on the point as to whether the agreement was still a. binding one. It had been said that the contract had been broken, and thai the agreement was jconses quently null and void. Mr R- Heron said lie thought this a very important matter and ho asked whether the agreement had been annulled in any way. Tho Town Clerk said no, it had notbeen annulled. Mr Heron: Then the only course to pursue is t'ne one the Council are pursuing. Councillor Murphy said that MiStark had told tiiem Lhe agreement with Scott Bros, was not worth tho paper it was written, on. Mr Kodgers sa;d this was a very important point. The Mayor said that Mr Stark was an electrical eng.neer, not a lawyer, and the Council's legal advisers to:d them that the agreement was 'Sound and binding in every respect. Councillor Murphy read correspondence by Mr Scott when he, asked the Council for a reduction in 'he water charges and said Mi Scott at that time said he wanted to save about- £]CO a year in water charges in order to make the concern show a 10 per cent, return in case he offered it for sale. Mr Heron rejoined that this being so, it should be a good investment for the ratepayers.. Councillor Souter said that when Mr Stark said the Council had no agreement with Scott Eros, he did so to show that the agreement was with J. L. and G. Scott. ' The Town Clerk said that every letter and every account sent to the Scotts. was addressed "J. L. and G. Scott." In reply to M.~ Noble. Councillor Maying said that- thero was still 35 per cent, of power in reserve at the installation. Mr Noble : Then if the town buys, it can sell additional current to that extent without further expense. Councillors Souter and Hurdlev added that Mr Stark had told them thev coui'd run over 100 per cent, with the existing installation, but had not so far exceeded 75 per cent, of its capa city. rr "wtMi a yo£p of to the. and Councillor Ma" rig.