WATER CONNECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2146, 31 July 1907, Page 2

WATER CONNECTIONS.

RETICULATION APPLICATIONS EXTENDED.

Mr. Zachariuh miulo application to tlio Borough Council last night to have (ho water laid on to his premises in Harris street, and tendered the amount of £3 for connection to the-boundary line. In an accompanying letter Mr. Znehariah said:—“l should like to bring under your notice what seems 1 to bo a very unfair matter in regard to tlio above. I havo just applied to have my house in Harris street, ICaiti, (Seo 98.99) connected with tlio main pipes and find that through not being one of tlio 700 who originally sighed for the connection (simply, because I wus not at that time a householder) I am compelled to pay | a fee of £3. This, I think you will agree, is manifestly unfair to me, as I havo precisely the same rates to pay as the original 700, of course pro rata. I understand that the numbor of applicants, since the original ones wore put in is not great,i and I would ask the Council to consider whether the extra fee should bo charged to applicants before the work of house connection line actually started, especially as thorectwdl bo considerable expense to householders as it is.” Cr. Sheridan: "Would not this contractor bo in a position to do the work at anything like the same rate. The Town Clerk: lie has not got the material. , . . , Cr. Sheridan I 'said the time should be extended. It was the Council’s aim to popularise~the water scheme. ~t was not just- to charge tlio extra

feo. ~ , Tlie Town Clerk, questioned, thought the contractor was not making money on the contract, but losing it He’ was of opinion that there would bo from 300 to GOO new applicants for connection. Cr. Bright said it was not fair to penalise people. It was not part ol the original contract for which, the Council was paying. It was only right to extend the time for connections. , The Mayor said the more the Council got to take water the more the inoome. Ho knew many people who would take the water because of the £3 charge. At the same time the contractor who was losing, could not be expected to do tlie extra number at the same price. The extra, work should be done by the Council itself. Cr. Somervell objected to any dif-

ferential treatment. The connections should all be made at the same price. Cr. Sheridan said in some cases there would be an advantage in hanging off. To extend the timo for the first connections would do all that wall necessary. Cr. Sheridan’s motion to extend the time six months for closing the free applications, was carried unanimously. As to the suggestion re length of oipes, tho Mayor advised the Council not to interfere with the contractor. Nothing was decided on the matter. 1