WATER BY METER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 458, 13 September 1928, Page 11

WATER BY METER

PROTEST AT DEVONPORT Mr. J. Fletcher and 172 other ratepayers petitioned the Devonport Borough Council last evening against the policy of the metering of the borough watei* supply, and- suggested that the work be deferred- until a poll can be taken on the issue at the same time as the next council elections. The petitioners claim that £ 6,000 was previously spent on meters, which were failures, and they ask that before spending a similar sum the council should hesitate unless there is a clear mandate from the ratepayers. The Mayor, Mr. E. Aldridge, said he was sorry that none of the petitioners were present. The water supply account was only nominally in credit, because the £4,000 interest per annum on water supply equipment was collected by special rate. It was necessary to have the question on a proper business footing. Far more water was being pumped at a steady expense than was being paid for under the present arrangements. There was no doubt that when all , the supply was metered, the extra revenue coming in could permit of the reduction of the minimum water charge, and probably the charge per 1,000 gallons. Several councillors objected to the charge of 7s 6d per annum for meter attention, and it was agreed that further experience might show that the impost could be reduced. One councillor pointed out that as over £2,000 in revenue was lost every year, the consumers were paying for meters (£6,000) every three years, and not getting them.