Page:Item 6 1854.pdf/34

was at first 9d. It was afterwards lowered, injudiciously, as he thought to 6d. on the rateable value, which was, in fact, only 4¾d. in the £. He never concealed the opinion that to have a good supply they must raise the price. He moved that the details of the report be carried out. Ald. Scrivens remarked that they already had a good reservoir at Ecclesbourne and no water in it. What they wanted was an assurance that after going to the proposed great expense they would really get a good supply. Coun. Vidler would oppose the motion on the grounds of economy. It was his opinion that Mr. Clark had got the best spot for water. Coun. Bromley opined that as there was not before them any real estimate of the expense or of the probable receipts, Mr. Clark's water might be sufficient for them, with their own, as far as it could be made available. He moved therefore, as an amendment, an amendment, that the question be referred back to the committee. Coun. Putland believed that with better management a good supply might be got from their own reservoirs for the whole of the East Ward except the Barrack Ground; and, if not, Mr. Clark had abundance, and in course of time something like and amalgamation might be effected with him. But he, himself, would undertake to supply the town from their own works without any assistance from Mr. Clark. From his own experience in such matters, he believed Hastings to be the best naturally water supplied borough in the Kingdom.Coun. Williams said, if he took the calculations of Mr. Milnes or Mr. Penny, he found the cost of the proposed scheme would not be less in cost than £4,000 or £5,000, exclusive of the annual working expenses, which latter he explained in detail, and concluded that even a shilling rate would not cover the expenses. The amendment was carried.
An Opposite Decision. At the next meeting, the Water-Committee having recommended the purchase of the ground near the Gas Works, and the piece of ground on the West Hill - the first for its water supply, and the other for a high-service reservoir, Coun. Putland, in a long speech said it was a folly to pump water up 300 feet and the greater part to go down again; that he would assert without the fear of contradiction. The debt on the waterworks was £3,500, and when the proposed scheme was carried out, it would be £9,000, which would require a shilling rate for 21 years to pay of the capital. He would guarantee to supply the town with enough of good water for seven years at a 3d. rate, paying all expenses except interest; and with a 6d. rate, he would clear their debt in 11 years. In nine or ten years after, the water-works would be able to redeem the debt of the old Commission. There was no necessity for either engine or tank. The Barrack Ground people had got water in their wells, and would not take the town water even at a 2d. rate. He felt both grieved and disgraced when he saw what a quantity of beautifully clear water was being wasted for the want of good management. If they wanted to saddle a heavy debt upon posterity they were doing their best for that purpose. He would oppose the scheme with all his might. [There were many experienced inhabitants, not in the Council, who believed as did Mr. Putland, that much good water was running to waste in consequence of numerous springs and-