The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-09-15 00:00:00

BRIDPORT WATERWORKS COMPANY.

A meeting of the shareholders of this company was held
in the Town Ilall, at noon, on Wednesday, to which the
public were admitted. The chair Mall taken by the Idayor
Tucker), and there were present Messrs. J. Gundry,
J. M. P. Montagu, T. CoHog, W. Coßoy., H. K Hounsell,
F. W. Gundre, 11. Howell, .1. Knight, C. Newberry, W.
Newberry, W. K. Brown, J. Turner, Low, J. Dunham, D.
K Biddlecombe, J. !Weltonle, W. Fry, R. Nowisell, T.
Italic T. 11. Edmunds, S. Stephens, 11. Bridle, J. Lamb,
N. Whetham, It. Tucker, jun., F. W. Good, G. A. Samson,
H. N. Cox, T. Knight, %V. Ellswood, J.SwaMeld, Banister
and Hip.tiber (engineers), Re:, Re:

I -"'Ille MAYOR. AL.' lIC p.iesidc'sl that day, not AA • share-
: holder, but as representing the public, whom he knew
I took great interest in the subject, and were anxious to
1 know the state the company was in. The several occasions
on which the question had been brought forward proved
beyond a doubt that the necewity for a supply of pure
water had long been felt by those connected with the
interest.; of the two. Some fifty or sixty years ago it was
talked of ; again, about fifteen years ago the question
cr•aiped up: and some five years ago another attempt was
inude, but without effect. Ile was quite sure they wanted
water, and he hoped they would now Boon obtain it. He
believed fifteen years ago the water might have been
obtained for .C. 5,0110 five years ago the estimated coat was
£10,0•0 ; and now it mould cost nearly double that amount
He hoped, anti he believed, the °mummy would be well
supported, and ho felt sure the concern must ultimately
pay well. A statement would be made to the meeting,
and those present would he able to see the nrewnt position
of affairs If any present had • question to ask, the
directors would be pleased to give them any information.
Mr. J. Gus Dal said a few days since he and Mr.
Montagu had had some conversation; both recollected
that on A previous occasion • great cry was raised that
certain individuals wanted to cam the affair into effect
without consulting the inhabitants, but although such
WA• .Alid, it was not the case. However, that no such com-
plaint might now arise, anti that the inhabitants might
not be able to say they were not consulted, the present
, meeting had been called. He was sorry to see so small an
[ attendance; probably litany were kept away by the fear
of having their pockets attacked, but such was not the
, object of those who had called them together. Ile must
[ tell them an Act had been obtained, power given the Com-
patty to bring in the water, the funds were all found, the
works commenced, and would be now pushed forward
energetically : the difficulties had been surmounted, and
the contract taken by one well able to carry it out Some
, might therefore ask why they were called together that
day; and it was for this reason; about AM worth Of
preference shares had been issued, and taken up by •
' gentleman, but any shareholders who held original shares
, could for a certain time obtain the same number of prefer-
ence shares: they were not asked to dose, but were merely
told they could do so, and he was certain the security was
a good one. Ile did not think it neceusary to dilate upon
the desirability of having • good supply of water; but he
, might say that the quality of the water to be brought in
, was first-rate, and it was of groat abundance, whilst the
fall, from the height from which it was brought, would be
sufficient to throw it to the top of Mr. Montague house.
, There were litany of the inhabitants of Bridport who had
, long felt the want of • supply of water: and, as those
present were aware, a system of drainage was about to be
carried into effect, but it was impossible to drain well
if there was not • good supply of water. In case of fire,
' how useful would it also be, and the saving effected In
watering the streets would also be considerable. This
was saying nothing on the side of health., yet that was a
most ;tenons consideration. The situation of Bridport was
meat admirable, and he felt sure with a plentiful supply
' of water and gooddrainage it would eventually become one
. of the healthiest places in thc kingdom—(applause).
' Mr. .1. M. P. MONTAGU said five years ago the iniushi-
' tants of Bridport were asked to bring water into the town
, at their own expense, lon they decided not to do it, and
the result was a company was formed. At that time
they could have got a plentiful supply of water from
Eggarden hill; but the project did not meet with the
, success it deserved, and he regretted that the short-
sighteslnew of the public prevented those who had the
wish fruit, tarrying out a scheme which would have con-
ferns' such blessings on the town. The speaker then
alluded to the way in which water works increased in
value, giving one instance where 20 years ago water works
, cost £ll,OOO that were now valued in 1.15.11111. and remarked
' that although the shareholders might have to wait a
little time, they would get a good dividend in the end.
' If the water hail been obtained from Stancombe, they
' had perinhodon to go through all the intervening
' la
itutl would thus have saved the necessity of an Act of
Parliament Now at Lytton they had met with opposi-
tion from all the labilholdent at first, but ho was pleased
to say that some of them were now liberal in their offers.
' Almut three months ago the company had enough money
' left to continue the works for about two months, when
they found in Mr. Shupland and a friend of his, gentlemen
who cause forward and advanced money, and thus
enabled them to tide over the difficulty. Ile (the speaker)
had obtained a loan of .1:7,3110 for 71 per cent., and this,
although they bad not got 1:100 worth of security. This
, ;show.' them what businnis men thought of water works.
• Mr. Shopland had taken the whoM of the preference
. shares; hut it was with the understanding that if any of
, the shareholders wished to appropriate any of them they
should have the opportunity for a certain time. The
I manner in which these gentlemen had acted showed their
1 opinion as to the paying character of the contemplated
undertaking, and now that all the shares were taken ali.
. they would be able to get possession of what land they
wanted. As an instance of what they had to contend
with, lie ...milt] tell them that the oceopanY wanted a bit
• of laud at 14 ttou about half the size of that hall ; it was
, barren land, worth about, he should think, LIU an acre;
, they asked what they should have to pay for the sixteenth
' part of an acre. Mr. Cox, the clergyman, it being globe
, land, said he considered he ought at least to have 1.500
. for it, and the authorities at Oxford asked £7OO. so that
they were asked altogether £1,201 for it, and they could
, not get that AMA abated one farthing. Now they had Pt
an Act, however, they could take what land they
wanted, and would only have to give • fair Price for it, They
had now three supplies open to them, and he believed they
would get the water without going to Lytton, not because
' they could not go there, but to save bother and expense.
H , e now saw nothing to impede the l
sold if they could get the pipes a. 70. of the works.
a. they were
, uw:intes..l.., he t
.11:yijsrasli,,liyipey
thes -el it:r.ir :a..
,s 7
thttep,waar.teLidn
the
, more people they nada get to take the water the better
, it would be of mune for the shareholders. He believed
. much of the Maple*, of the town was to be attributed to
the water and drainage, and begiaw no reason when that
' was attended to why the average of deaths should be more
; than 17 or 18 in the thousand ; whereas it was now
, considerably above it. They must not look only at the
1 taunter this *tate of things killed—for it was killing—but
• at the amount of sickness that prevailed. which
. could be prevented, and through which many
_children
i grew up enfeebled. He believed it would Pay •