THE GARDEN HOSER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2282, 16 October 1914, Page 7

THE GARDEN HOSER

LICENSE OB METER? Councillor R. A. Wright, Councillor L. M'Kenzie, and other members of the City Council have at various times urged the advisability of issuing hose licenses for gardening purposes upon payment "of a small fee, and Councillor \\'-right had given notice- to move last night :—"That the Finance Committee toko into consideration the desirability of permitting the use of water for garden purposes by means of a hose upon payment of a small charge per annum, and -without the necessity of installing a meter."Before the motion was reached, the Finance Committee presented a lengthy report by the City Engineer, who recommended :

'That tho present Gyit-em of hiring meters bo discontinued, ■ and that owners and occupiers of property bo permitted to purchase meters from tie corporation at cost price, plus iihe.cost of fixing, and that such meters be paid for by instalments of six shillings per annum, tho purchaser to bo responsible for tho proper protection of the meter." The committee recommended tho adoption of. the report. Councillor R. A. Wright moved that the clause recommending'the adoption of the report be referred back to the Finance Committee for further consideration. There were scores of people in this town who were now using water through the hose in contravention of tho by-law, and there was no means of preventing this, because it was impossible to Keep an army of inspectors. These people did not want to do that. They would sooner pay a small fee for the use of the water. Ho would suggest a sliding scalo, starting, say, with os. per annum,' for the privilege of using the hose on a section 40ft. by 100 ft. He thought the question should no longer bo deferred, and that the committee should bring down a scheme to. moot tho situation. Councillor E. Trcgear seconded the motion to refer the clause back. Councillor L. M'Kcnzio supported the remarks of Councillor Wright, and pointed out that the council' was inconsistent in compelling tho citizens to pay for the upkeep of public gardens, whilo prohibiting them from using the hose to beautify thoir own private gardens. It could not be donied, however, that the- hose was being I oxtensively used at tho present' timo by citizens who had not meters installed. In view of this, he thought the counoil would be well advised te allow use on payment of a fee. 4 After several other, councillors had epolieii in support, of Councillor Wright's proposal, the clause was referred back. The- Financial.Committee will bring Uie question forward at tho next meeting, and in tho meantimo Councillor Wright's notice of motion stands over.