PUKEKOHE'S WATER SUPPLY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 4, 15 January 1915, Page 3

PUKEKOHE'S WATER SUPPLY.

The Loan Proposals.

New Scale of Charges.

Tl e main item of business at the meeting ot the Pukekohe Borough Council on Wednesday concerned the intricate problem of the local water supply, the Council having at the previous meeting resolved to nubmit to the ratepayers a proposal for an additional lojn. URGENCY SUGGESTED.

At an early stage in ihe meeting Cr Hubbard said that be desired to refer to the criticisim passed on the Council's proposals in .the columns cf the "Pukekohe Times" and also to the correspondence thereon that appeared in the same paper. In submitting a scheme for an increase of charges to consumers and for the proposed loan to be spread over the whole of the Borough, instead of tbe loan being restricted to what is known as tbe "inside area," the Waterworks Committee considered that the existing inequalities would be overcome to some extent, a* with a larger charge the rate would be correspondingly reduced. He preferred to take no notice of letters that appeared in the paper, to which the writers had nbt the courage to sign their names. It was only right that the residents should know that since the last meeting an ugly phase had crept in, the concrete base of the pump having cracked through the excessive vibration, and in the event of a complete fracture jio water would be available for some time. Even on Sunday last, as well as on previous occasions, some psople were deprived of *water. The road traction engine had necessarily been utilised to assist in the pumping and the Waterworks Foreman was unfairly kept at work both night and day. Pumping tbe water so high as at present cost quite £IOO more per annum than if it was pumped to a lower level. In seeking an additional loan tbe Council were studying the beßt interests of the ratepayers. AMOUNT OF LOAN. The Major (Mr C. K. Lawrie) mentioned that although the Council's resolution was for a loan of £2600 to be raised, he bad taken the responsibility of altering tbe amount required to £2BOO, tbe additional £3OO being necesary for expenses in connection with the raising of the loan and for payment of the first balf-year'e interest. Tbe Mayor's action was confirmed. PUMPING PLANT. The Waterworks Foreman advised ihe Council of the necessity ot purchasing forthwith a duplicate gas generator, which hd estimated would cost £IOO.

Cr Hamilton moved, and Cr Hubbard seconded, that a generator should be purchased. Cr Pollock approved of the purchase, but objected to the money being taken out of the general account as thereby the roads would 'be robbed of the amount stated.

The proposed purcnase was agreed to on the understanding that the £IOO would be taken out of loan money if the loan ' was sanctioned by the ratepayers. The Waterworks Foreman also asked permission .to take advantage of the road traction engine at intervals for pumping purposes, and Cr Hubbard supported the request, pointing out that everything possible should be done to maintaiu a constant supply of water. The residents not only had to be protected, but serious harm would be done to the town if the Borough failed to supply water to the Railway Department. In the discussion that ensued it was mentioned that road work would be interfered with if the traction engine was taken to the power house and the difficulty was overcome by an arrangement being mada to hire from Messrs Comrie an engine for use at the power house. EXISTING DIFFICULTIES. Cr Comrie characterised the existing water scheme as a bad legacy handed down to the Council by the old Town Board. Things were most unsatisfactory and would remain so until proper remedies were eifected. He considered that the Council had erred in only asking the ratepayers for a small loan since such meant that they would only have to go back again to the ratepayers tor more money. The situation required to be faced as the town was in imminent danger ot going dry. Cr Hubbard stated that councillors would, whether the ratepayers approved of their action or not, go out of office in April next with a clear conscience that they had not shirked their duty. He thought that the ratepayers should recognise that if they paid more for their water the rate would be correspondingly reduced. Cr Hamilton Baid that the real position was that the present reservoir and pumping engine should be regarded as a dead loss. A new reservoir at a low level was an actual necessity. He was not a consumer but he favoured the loan being extended to the "outer" part of the borough, although such would be against his personal interests. He was, however, prepared to pay his share of rate as it would be a calamity if the waterworks had to be closed down and tanks had to be resorted to.

Or follock objected to the "outer" residents being called upon to pay a rate without being Riven the opportunity of saying whether they were agreeable to such course by taking by a vote amongst themselves. It was cot fair play that by virtue of preponderance of numbers the people of the "inner area" could vote to compel others to come into the rating area. CHARGES TO CONSUMERS.

The Council then dealt with the question of charges to consumers for water, the Waterworks Committee having proposed at the previous meeting that the charge should be increased from 6s for 4000 gallons per quarter to 15s for 3000 galloos. The Mayor considered that a charge of £3 per annum as suggested by the Coramitee would be a hardship for small houses. Cr Comrie advißed that if prices were raised so high people would not take the water.

The Town Clerk suggested that the most equitable basis of charges would be to charge in accordance with the Municipal Corporations Act, which provided that charges could be fixed not exceeding 7 per cent od the annual rateable value. He thought that a 5 per cent basis would be a fair charge and he had worked

out figures on that scale. The annual working expenses of the water supply now total £350 and £7OO was tbe amount required per annum in respect of the old loans. The present receipts from water charge* brought in a yearly revenue of £370. A 5 per cent srale would produce a revenue of £616, made up as follows: Ordinary consumers £372 12s, extraordinary supply £l4B 16b, and non-consum rs £96 6s. Such wouid mean nn excess of £266 over the amount of the press t reve ue. By the Aci all properties withi'• 100 yards of ifce wster-mains would have to pay the charges whether using water or not. On the motion cf Cf Hamilton, Seconded by Cr Hubbard, the scheme suggested by the 'lown Clerk was unanimously adopted, viz., a charge of 5 per cent on the annual rateable vslue tor 800U gallons per half year, with business premises at half rates, such charges to be collected halfyearly. For consumer of more than 8000 gallons a price of 2s for every additional 1000 gallons was fixed, and the charge on nonrateable properties (viz., churches, schools, etc.) was fixed at 3s yer 1000 gallons per half year up to 8000 gallons, and 2s per 1000 gallons above 8000 gallons. It was further agreed to make no alteration in the price now charged to the Railway Department. CR POLLOCK SURPRISED.

Just as the meeting was closing Councillor Pollock announced that in voting for the resolution he had not understood that the charge would be levied on non-consumers by reason of their properties being within 100 yards of the mains. He thought such would be an unjust proceeding, and he accordingly gave notice that at the next meeting he would move to rescind the motion as passed. The Council then broke up after sitting from 8 p.m. to 11 40 p.m.