BOROUGH WATER CONNECTIONS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 662, 22 April 1914, Page 5

BOROUGH WATER CONNECTIONS.

EXPLANATIONS BY PLUMBERS

In connection with the alleged breaches of the water by-laws referred to at last meeting of the Te Kuiti Borough Council, explanatory letters wore received from the plumbers affected at last meeting of the Council Water By-laws.—Mr D. J. Young wrote, stating tjat he had in two or three instances connected water to two or three cottages, owned by one person, off one main. The reasons were: First, to savs unnecessary ex-

pense to the people concerned, believ-

ing that there was no subdivision of sections, and immediately the water

was laid on the people would be rated on that area. The three instances quoted by Mr Young were Mrs Britt, Mr Cnilcott.and Mr J. Boddie's 3hops, He had obtained permission from the clerk to pus a |-incb service in to Mrs Britt's property, and paid a fee of 80s on account of Mrs Britt. The properties were adjoining one another, and the cost of putting in two cervices was eaved to the owner, and the writer was cf opinion the properties would be rated ag if they were connected separately. In the case of Mr Chileolt, tho writer was not aware of sub-division and the single connection meant a saving of £?■ in fees, and two leads of pipe 80 feet each. In the ease of Mr Boddie's ehop3 he believed this had an inch pipe, and at the time only one shop was connected from the main. He would have connected the whole property if required, as it was only one property and rated as such. Mr Young stated he invariably got inquiries to lay on water at the least possible expense. If such connections contrary to the by-laws he regretted his error In judgment. He felt sure the work of plumbers could be greatly facilitated if mor9 system was required in submitting plan 3 of all such work done. The clerk upon beine asked for a statement said with respect to Mr Young' 3 statement there were some discrepancies concerning Mrs Britt's connection. The application was for one connection with a half-inch pipe, and a fee of £1 was paid. Concerning Mr Boddie'a connection that was put in during Mr Dodge's term as engineer, and under his supervision.

The Mayor said he did not know why his connection was mentioned. Only one connection was put in for which a fee of £2 was paid, and the engineer simply had carte blanch to carry out the work according to the by-iaw. This had been done. Messrs Clapham and Co., plumbers, wrote in explanation of the alleged breaches. In tho case of Messrs Billet and May's and Mr Billet's houses the writer explained that he was instructed by Mr Wolff that the connections requested would be sufficient. Cr Jones had instructed Mr Clanham that Mr Julian's connections were required in a somewhat similar a manner to the others, and that he (Cr Jones) would see the Council concerning the matter. He had only learned after the work was completed that the Council had not been consulted. When asked if he would pay the full fees he (Mr Clapham) had replied that he would not do so as he had told Mr Wolff and Mr Jones that he would not hold himself responsible should he be called upon to pay them. Both the gentlemen referred to had since paid the fees. He regretted any infringement of the by-laws which might have occurred. Anything that was done was carried out in good faith. There wes no gain in making any infringement. The same remarks applied to Cr Jones who, he found, always most exacting as to working to the by-laws. The writer suggested that fuller records of the work done should be kept for the guidance of the plubmers and the Council. Other datails were also suggested in respect ti the way the work should be carried out.

The Mayor said they were indebted to Mr Clapham for the careful consideration he had given to the subject. He thought the letter should be handed to the By-laws Revision Committee, and the suggestions would, if thought wise, be incorporated in the revised by-laws. Cr Mabbett said the foreman had a good deal of experience in respect to water connections He thought it wov.ld be wise to hard the letter to the foreman for perusal and report. The Mayor seconded the motion which was carried.