CHARGE FOR WATER.

Shannon News, 13 February 1925, Page 3

CHARGE FOR WATER.

ON FARMS OUTSIDE BOROUGH

M Tuesday night's, meeting of the Shannon Borough .Council, the question of. a basis on which to fix the rate to be charged for water supplied to farms outside the Borough was discussed. The matter was brought

up iby Cr. Hyde asking if the Council had fixed a charge for supplying water to such farms.

The Mayor pointed out that a schedule of charges had been approved of by. the Council, but. the only definite rate fixed was on a certain property of 200 acres, which was 4s per acre, viz., £4O per annum, while the rate on 'Other farms was. to be fixed as per arrangement ibased on area and stock carried. In regard to the one already fixed tlhe owner considered the. rate too high. ' Cr.' Gunning, chairman of the Waterworks Committee, said he did not think they were making an excessive charge. He would be the last to make it. Compared with the ratepayer the farmer was much better off. When the rate was fixed on the farm mentioned, the committee believed it con-1 sisted of two farms of 100 acres each and assessed them at £2O each, v ' Tlhe Mayor said they should find; out the commercial value of the water to farmers and assess it on that, as if it is made beyond that they Will not buy it. Cr. Cm-ran contended H was ridiculous to make a' charge of 4s per acre per annum. It was too hig>h. Cr. Hyde said all farms must be based 'on a fixed rate, otherwise -file people would not know where they stood. He suggested making the, rate £5 for 50 acres, £lO for £IOO acres., and £JS for over. Cr. Gunning complained Itfoat he could never get the Water Committee together to discuss the matter and finally he and the Ma/or had drawn up tlhe schedule and referred it to the Council whioi had approved of it. He said if the farmers objected to a fla.it charge why not make a meter charge.' ' The Mayor s ; aid the change of 4s per acre per annum had been .recommended by the Engineer, (but he tell sure if they kept to. it. the Council would lose money as a lot would not connect up, who otherwise would if the rate was not too high. The Engineer denied that he had recommended this charge. He had ©aid this rate was charged at Fltzherbeft. Cr. Curran then moved and cr. Hyde seconded that the rate of charge be 2s 6d per acre per annum. Cr. Gunning contended tnat each case' should :be taken on its meauts. The Mayor; How can the Town Clerk give information. The fate must be fixed at so/much per acre. Cr. Gunning said H&ere should be a minimum of £5.. ..... Cr. Curran agreed to (tins being added, also that each case Ibe subject to the approval of the Engineer and any conditions that may be laid down toy the Council, and all piping and fixtures to be. paid for by the applicant. ,■, „ The motion flby Cr. Curran was then The Mayor then gave notice of motion that the resolution to charge an qwner 4s per acre be rescinded.