Water Supply Committee.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3035, 6 November 1878, Page 2

Water Supply Committee.

The usual monthly meeting of this body wag held at the Council Chambers last craning. Present—The Mayor (in the Chair), Messrs Speight, Stone, Brassey, Price and Ehrenfried. MISUTSB. . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. ALLEGED OVERCHARGE. A letter was read from J. Quinlivan complaining that the £2 - 10s per annum was too great a charge for his stable of fire horses. If the charge was not reduced he would have to stop taking the water. It was resolved to reply to the writer that the rates were; in accordance with the scale of charges. WATER FOB MAOBt CABVJBD HOtTSE. A letter was read from W. H. Taipari, stating that the charge of £6 for the water supply of his rununga house Wat too large. He asked that the charge be reduced to £2. It was resolved that the Committee abide by their former decision, i.e., that the charge remain at £6. WATER FOR A CHURCH. An application for free water to be laid on to the Presbyterian Church was granted. STREET WATERING. A letter was read from J. W. Anderson asking permission to use the Corporation's plugs for street-watering purposes during the summer months. The County had given him permission to use water from the County supply. The request was ac- j ceded to. i BURKE STREET BTANDPIPE. A letter was read from a number of residents of Burke street asking that the Committee lay on the water to the standpipe at the corner of Burke street., Mr Stone moved that the petitioners be notified that the Committee are not at present in a position to grant their request. TABAAU ROAD. Mr McGowan waited on the committee ' on behalf of the residents of Tararu Boad with reference to the defective water supply of that portion of Borough. He urged the necessities of the district on the Committee, stating that there wai no drinkable water all along the road. Mr Brassey moved and Mr Stone seconded that the matter be referred to the Works Committee. Carried. A COMPLAINT. Mr Morgan, of Pollen street, wrote alleging that the Turncock had spoken insolently to him while the latter was collecting theewater rate. He had not shown any authority to collect it. The rate bad been paid in May last. The Turncock explained that the rate bad been paid by Mr Morgan's landlord two or threa days ago. BBPOBT OF WOBKS COMMITTEE. The report of the Works Committee recommended that the Turncock be ordered to lay 800 feet of 2-inch pipes down the Goods Wharf from the breast work. The report was adopted. WATER EXTENBION. The Turncock recommended that a I^-inch pipe be laid down Richmond street from Eolleston street. This would supply 12 houses. The recommendation wa« agreed to. THE FINANCIAL CONDITION. The Secretary read the financial statement of the Committee as. follows:— Thames Water Supply Committee state* ment, showing total assets' and liabilities for November 5, 1878:—Assets: Bates outstanding, £150, say £130; plant, present value, £6416; freehold allotment and workshop, £120; materials, tools on hand, £350; seal, &c, £20; plant ordered of McCaul when laid, £2008—total, £9041. Liabilities: Bank of New Zealand overdraft, present date, £2536; debentures due 7th August, 1882, £2000; coupons, to fall due every three months to August, 1882, £640; pipes ordered of McCaul, £1508; expenses of laying pipes, £500; accounts due by committee, £60—total, £7244. Statement showing the amount necessary to be raised each year to cancel present liabilities in four years: Interest

each year for four yean on bank overdraft, including amounts necessary to cover order given McCaul, <fee. (£4600), £364; interest each year for four yean on debentures (£2OOO, Morrin and Co.), £160; working expenses, including turncock and one man, and materials for re* pairs to breakages, &c, but not for extensions, £515 ; office expenses, stationery/ printing, advertising, &c, £90; amount necessary to be invested each year for four years to meet debentures when due in 1882 (calculated at 8 per cent, interest), £470; Amount necessary to be invested each year for four years to pay off bank overdraft (£4600) within fonr yean, £1050—total, £2653. Amounts to be received and paid during the eight months ending 30th June, 1879, being of present financial year of committee:—From rates outstanding, £150 say, £130—total, £130, For interest, viz., to bank, £166, and coupons, £120, £286; for working and office expenses, £320; for pipes ordered of McCaul, £1508; for cost' of laying same, £500; for accounts now due,' £60—total, £2674. The opinion of Mr J. A. Miller was as follows:—" Thames, November 5,1878. The Thames Water Supply Committee.' Gentlemen, —In reply to your Secretary's queries I am of opinion—l. That your committed have power to supply water on such terms as may be agreed on, and that the Thames Borough Council have power to contract for such supply. 2. That the Borough Council have power to make and levy a water rate as a separate rate upon all land and buildings within the Borough to which water can be, but is not supplied, and which are situate within 100 yards of any water pipe in use, at one half the rate. 3. As to land and buildings outside the Borough, I think the Council have power to make a charge in the shape of a water rate upon such as are actually supplied with water, but as to those who can be but are not supplied, I am inclined to think the Council would not have the power to make a charge or rate upon them, even though they were situate within one hundred yards of a water pipe in use." Mr Speight suggested that they should endeavour to get the County or the Borough to take the supply over. The Mayor suggested they should try to get the Borough first. He was certain they would obtain rating powers next session, when they would be all right. After some further discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Bratsey, " That the Mayor, Mesa** Bhrenfiried, Stone and Price be a comtaittee to wait on the County Council to ask their opinion on the matter. '

FINANCE.

Accounts amounting to £60 were pajatd for payment. Thit umi all the business.