OUR WATER SERVEGE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 67, 12 November 1912, Page 5

OUR WATER SERVEGE.

QUESTION OF RAISING LOAN TO iiE CO ASi I) EKED.

At the ordinary meeting of tinStratford Borough Council last night a Jong discussion occurred over a clause in the report of the Works Committee, to tue effect that they nad no recommendation to make regarding tiie recent applications for water extension, and mat after considering the matter carefully, the committee recommended taut to meet applications of' the kind an

amount would have to he provided in the schedule of loan propos .ls. Councillor Thompson moved as an

amendment to the motion time tiu Works Committee’s report be adopted, tuat certain ratepayers’ application,, for water bo granted. Councillor Boon stated that the wat er account was £BOO in credit, and the money' should lie spent in giving ratepayers the water asked for. The Mayor: Paper credit! Councillor Boon: Yes; but it’s in. credit. Why should a man spend £', or £lO in tanks when for 8s or iO- - could, get the water laid on P He instanced me case of one ratepayer who was spending from £7OO to £BOO on a new house, within six or seven chain, of Broadway. Was not sudli a man entitled to nave the water laid on: He urged strongly the s.raining of point in this matter, and the-granting of the applications for water. Councillor King remarked that the very thing had occurred winch he nad foreseen when the water rate was taken off. People were asking for water, but there was net sufficient revenue to do any extension whatever. H. •was of the same opinion as Coundlio. Boon; if anyone asked for water, Ik pad a perfect right to get it, and t.u Council should strain a point in tm matter.

Councillor Hcaly stated that wale, extension could not be done out oi revenue. Ho could not see that tin water service was in any different position to the drainage, so far as tin granting of extensions was concerned. since a man might lie paying both rates and not enjoying the benefits of either service.

Councillor King; They’re entirely different. Councillor Healy: No! Councillor King: It’s ridiculous to talk like that. Councillor. Healy continued that h< would like to see every application granted, but could not see from when, tne money was to come.

The Mayor objected to Councillo. King’s statement re money being unavailable because the full rate warnot struck. There was a credit hal ance to the water account of some thing like £BOO or £9OO, and they could, out of that account, grant tin whole of the applications coming in for,water, if it were not for the fact that the overdraft would be iucrea ej That was the trouble. The money htld been collected and it had been spent on other, works in the Borough. Councillor Dingle said the question was purely one of pounds, ■ mailings, and pence. It would cost approximately £l-185 to give all these people the benefits of the water service. They would -find that if those applications were granted, mepting after meeting there would ho more npplica tions. He wished it clearly understood that he was not objecting to these ratepayers getting the water; it war quite right that they should have it, Ho was in favour of bringing down some scheme whereby the ratepayer could ho assured of the mains being laid and tho connections made within a reasonable time. Ho thought they would then be satisfied. The Mayor: Yes; wo can’t make fish of one and flesh of another.

Councillor King: If you can’t do it out of revenue, there is only one thing to do, and that is to do it out of loan money. I think our overdraft will be satisfactory, you will find. Strain a point and give them the water. It won’t cost very much. lam supporting the amendment.

Councillor Ward asked if it was not correct that if the ratepayers “turned down” a proposal to raise a loan for the laying of water mains, such a b an could he raised by “special o-der.”

The Mayor: That is correct! , Councillor Morison said lie would like to see tho applications granted, hut the finances would not at present stand it.

On a division being taken. Councillors R. McK. Morison, J. T). Healy, R .Dingle, S. Ward, and the Mayor were against the amendment. The Mayor then nut his casting vote in favour of things to stand 1 as they were, the amendment being, therefore, lost. The Works Committee’s report was then adopted.

The question of raising a loan for the comnletion of the water service will he dismissed at the special meeting of the Council on Monday next.