OTAHUHU

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 281, 1 June 1917, Page 3

OTAHUHU

[The Otahuhu Agent for " The Times" is Mr Bathe, from whom copies of the paper may be ordered. Mr Bathe is also authorised to receive advts. and printing: orders on our behalf. | OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL At the adjourned fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council, held on Wednesday last there were present the Mayor (Mr A. McDonald), Crs H. J. Hall, R. Todd, H. T. Clements, A. J. Wildman, H. V. Stringer, J. Brady, H. J. Moffitt, and F. R. Field with the Town Clerk (Mr C. T. Kent-Johnson).

foreman's repobt The foreman (Mr G. W. Kemplay 1 ) reported that Mr W. Brown was getting storm water which used to overflow on to the property of Mr F. Brown, Mangere road, who had dug a ditch on the top side of his property to protect his own land. Such used to be an old watercourse and if all property owners in Golf avenue would follow the example of Mr F. Brown and dug a protecting ditch to stop the overflow from higher land there would not be much further trouble. Aa to the drain connection for Mr Good, Luke street, the Foreman estimated the cost of the drain to cross the road about 50 feet long at an average depth of s ; x feet at £7 lis.

Arising out of this report Cr Hall remarked that with regard to the overflow in Golf avenue the Council were only concerned when the overflow was on the road.

Cr Brady contended that it was not fair to ask the Council to do work which an owner could do himself.

On the motion of the Major it was resolved to request the Foreman to submit a report as to what was required together with an estimate of the cost.

Cr Moffitt enquired if it was the usual practice for an applicant for a bewer connection to pay for the connection to the centre of the road or to the spot where the sewer actually existed.

As the point raised opened an important question, on the motion of CrTodd it was resolved that enquiries on the subject should be made from other local authorities for the guidance of the Council. WATER CHARGES

The Council then proceeded to consider the question of the basis on which charges for water supply should be made to consumers.

The Town Clerk explained that before the estimates for the year could be framed it would be necessary to decide whether the charge should be levied by way of meter rent or on the capital value basis. In the past the Council had erred in the meter method adopted by reason of fact that a minimum of 15s had been charged whereas if the Council had charged a minimum ot 10s for houses of small valuations such would have brought the Council within the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act The Town Clerk suggested that the Council could, by making a by-law, legalise the higher rate of charge. Proceeding, he mentioned that the Council's solicitor had advised that whole question should be considered by the Council and he would attend and advise on the question. Cr Brady considered that if at all possible the Council should seek to reduce rather than increase the water rate.

Cr Hall thought that water as a commercial concern should pay for itself. The Town Clerk mentioned that while the Water Account was in debit to the extent of £260 last year £IOOO had been spent for water meters.

The Mayor remarked that it was not fair that the water account should be charged with that sum. It should be a paying concern and not need assistance from another account.

Cr Clements expressed the opinion that he considered the water charges at present were fair in every way and any charges against non-con-sumers he regarded as unjust on principle. Cr Moffitt advocated the doing away with meters and remarked that their maintenance was a great expense. Cr Stringer contended that all meters for household purposes should be free. After further discussion Cr Hall suggested, that a committee should be appointed to report on alternate schemes.

Cr Field formally moved that a special meeting should be held on Wednesday next, at 7.30 p.m., to consider the water question and that the Town Clerk should prepare a report to be submitted to that meeting.—This was agreed to. WATER SUSPENSION SEQUEL As a sequel to the protest made at the final meeting of the old Council by Mr A. G. Cook in reference to the water supply to his house having been cut off, Cr Field moved that the water connections to the properties of Messrs Wyatt, Cook and Irving should be reinstated at the expense of the Council. Cr Field stated that whilst an action by the Council was pending against the occupiers in question their water connections were cut off but he did not recollect any authority being given by the Council for that to be done. The water should not in his opinion have been suspended until judgment had been given by the Magistrate.

JJThe Town Clerk : Everything was done by legal advice and by authority. Cr Stringer thought that if those persons had had fair play the water question would not have arisen. The Council, said Cr Stringer, had no right to cut off the connections as they had done.

The Town Clerk remarked that "they were getting into deep water" and that it was rather unusual for one Council to criticise another Council when judgment had been given. Cr Field said he understood money h»d been tendered at the office greater than the amount owing for water. He considered an injustice had been done, which ought to be put right, n Cr Brady also thought that whed monpj was tendered the water should have been re-connected.

The Town Clerk then explained the circumstances and read the legal authority which gave the Council power for the connections to be cut off. After further discussion Cr Field's motion was seconded by Cr Stringer and on being put to the meeting was carried unanimously., Cr Field, in drawing attention to the £2 2s allowed as costs to the Council by the Magistrate in connection with the water action, regarded the question as of public interest which the public should pay for. He moved that the £2 2s allowed by the Magistrate should be refunded by the council to Mr Irving. The motion was seconded by Cr Stringer, but on being put to thn meeting was lost, Crs Mofßtt, Clements, Hall, Wildman, and Brady voting against. 13E CUEFEW It was resolved that no new business should be taken at Council meetings after 9,30 p m, the Mayor remarking that there should be ample time for introducing new business before that hour.