Water Supply Committee.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3128, 26 February 1879, Page 2

Water Supply Committee.

A special meeting of this body wa» held at the Borough Council Chambers last evening. Present—the Mayor (Chairman), Messrs Brodie, Brassey, Price, Thorburn, and Speight. *

The Secretary read the following letter from the Bank Manager-.—"The Bank decline any longer to allow the Domestic Water Supply overdraft to remain unpaid. Month after month goes by without an attempt at settlement. lam now re* quested to give you notice that, unless the advance, with interest to date, is paid by 3 p.m. to-morrow, the sureties will be proceeded against without further notice. —T. L. Mitbbay, Manager." He (the Secretary) said that was the letter they were called on to consider. Mr Murray had agreed to pospone taking action till tomorrow (today). The following letter had been' received from the County Council:—County Council Chambers, Thames, February 25(b, 1879.—Sir,—I am to apologise for not having before replied to yours of the sth instant. It was considered in committee of Council on the 20th instant, and I am directed to state the question cannot be further dealt with until the same proposals to transfer the water supply are made to this Council as were made by the Water Supply Committee to the Borough Council.—l have, &c, E. W. Hollis, County Clerk. The following letter has been received from the Borough Council:—"Council Chambers Thames, 15th February, 1879. —Sir,—l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth inst., asking if the Thames Borough Council were willing to take over the property and liabilities of the Thames Water Supply Committee, the which letter was laid before the Council at its meeting on the 13th of present month, when the following resolution was passed :—' That this Council is willing to take over the assets and liabilities of the Thames Water Supply Committee, guarantceingcto all districts now supplied all rights and privileges already in existence therein.—l have, F. G. Dean, Town Clerk.' "

The Chairman said most present would remember the resolution passed by this Committee affirming the desirability of resting the supply in one body, and that body the Borough. The letter of the County Council was in reply to the one from the Water Committee. The letter from the bank had been received in the interval. He suggested that the letters from the local bodies be considered first, He might state for their information that the bank book shewed that the overdraft at present was £2820. £120 worth of accounts had been passed for payment. In three weeks more Mr McCaul would want some money for the pipes, and £270 was due this month to Morrin Bros.

Mr Speight said that he supposed the County's letter meant that they were not prepared to agree to the proposal. Perhaps the County, members present might enlighten them.

Mr Brodie; Ask the County Council. It ia not proper to introduce extraneous matter.

Mr Speight thought the County members might give them some information. Mr Thorburn asked who was to blame for the Bill giving them rating powers not being passed. The Chairman said Mr Eowe had opposed the Bill, but through Dr Pollen the Bill had been thrown out in the Upper House. .

Mr Thorburn: Well, tbat exonerates the Committee from blame.

Mr Price said be would like to see matters brought to a bead one,way or another...

After some delay, Mr Speight mored that the Committee hare no further proposal to make in reply to the County Council's letter.

Mr Brassey seconded. Mr Brodie moved, " That this Committee thank the County Council for their letter,, and inform the Borough Council that the Committee is not in a position to deal further with them regarding the water supply." He denied that an offer had been made to the County.

Mr Speight maintained that one had been made.

The Chairman said that he could not admit it as an amendment. ' ' ;

Mr Brodie said the Chairman's ruling was one sided. He referred to Mr Speight if it was not an admissable amendment.

Mr Speight declined to give an opinion. Mr Brodie : I object to sit at a meeting where proceedings are conducted in such a one-sided manner.

The Mayor: I object to the remark one-sided proceedings. I rule that Mr Brodie's resolution is not an amendment upon Mr Speight's ; but I hare no objection to take it as a motion by itself, and probably Mr Speight will allow it to be taken first. ,

Mr Speight agreed to the suggestion, but -Mr Brodie refused to accept the proposal, and at once left the room. Mr Speight then asked permission to withdraw his resolution till after settling the financial matter. Permission was granted. The Mayor said the debit at the bank was £2820 and their- total present liability was £4,74/7. Mr Brassey moved that the letter of the Bank Manager be replied to the effect 1 hat the -Committee are unable to meet their liability. Mr Thorburn suggested that the bank account be charged to some other bank.

The resolution being seconded by Mr Price was put to the meeting and carried. Mr Speight then moved, and Mr Price seconded, that the letter of the Borough Council be acknowledged, and that the Council be informed that when the com* mittee are able to deal with the matter the Council will be informed. Carried.

Mr Speight then moved the resolution he had previously withdrawn in reference to the letter from the County Council, which was seconded by Mr Brassey, and carried.

The Mayor and Secretary were then requested to see Mr Morrin's representative, and inform him of the position of the Committtee. <

Dr. Payne's letter, forwarded from the Board of Health, was then considered, and the Chairman having said that steps had already been taken to keep the supply as pure as possible, no further action was taken in the matter.

The Committee then adjourned.