would be to the advantage of the borough. – Ald. Ginner had no confidence in the offer then made and advised caution in dealing with Mr. Clark. He thought it was the duty of the Board to entertain the offer, but it ought to come through a solicitor. It was resolved to refer the matter to the Water Committee, with an understanding that the negotiations must be through a solicitor, and as soon as Mr. Clark’s compliance with the suggestion was received, a special meeting to be called.
The Local Board’s offer declined. At the meeting on February 3rd, the Committee reported that they had received an offer through Mr. Clark’s solicitor to sell the Eversfield Waterworks at a fair valuation or to lease the same, the amount of purchase money or rent to be settled by arbitration under the Local Government Act. The Committee had offered through the same solicitor to give £8000 for the same, free from all incumbrance except the ground rent. The acceptance of such offer was declined, but Mr. Clark repeated his offer to sell at a price that should be fixed by arbitration, and if the Board refused that offer, Mr. Clark would say that he had done all that could be expected of him. It was then resolved that Mr. Clark be informed that the Board considered they had made a fair offer, and regretted that he should have been advised to reject it absolutely without naming any other sum.
A Memorial was presented at the same time from 132 residents of the West Ward (Magdalen parish) soliciting the aid of the Local Board in providing a more abundant supply. To this memorial the Board replied that they were taking steps to supply that district, and had commenced laying pipes for that purpose.
Contemplated New Reservoir. The Countess of Waldegrave having consented to grant a lease of land at St. Andrew’s (late Mr. Shirley’s garden) for 99 years at a rental of £35 per annum, it was stated at the meeting on April 6th that Mr. Laing, the borough surveyor, had prepared a plan for a new reservoir, ten feet deep, to hold more than nine millions of gallons, but as the statement was not a report of the Water Committee, on the motion of Coun. Howell, its consideration was postponed for a special meeting to be held on the 20th of April. That meeting was not largely attended and the consideration of its special purport was considerably influenced by another communication from Mr. Clark although the latter could not be practically dealt with. It was to the effect that Mr. Clark had entered into a new lease with Mr. Eversfield, whereby he had secured all the water-shed between Ore and Bulverhithe, and had also the exclusive right of supplying water to the Eversfield estate. He was willing for the Board to take the lease from him or a direct lease from Mr. Eversfield. He wished to retain only a small portion of land near Gensing -
