WATER FOR BAPTISM.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1504, 9 October 1883, Page 2

WATER FOR BAPTISM.

(Prom New Zealand Times,)

A subject of solemn interest was dis cussed in a spirit of hard worldliness at last, night's -, meeting of the Public Works Committee of the City Council. Mr J. N. Miller applied,- on behalf of the trusteesof the Church of Christ, for water to be supplied for baptismal purposes without the necessity, as required by the by-law, of erecting a water meter. It was stated that the dipping would take place only occasionally and fresh water would not often be re quired. Councillor Petherick: Sometimes the Baptists want a great deal. Councillor Richardson moved that the application be acceded to. .The Clerk explained that churches did not pay rates, and could not be charged the same as dwellings. Councillor McKeriziej moved that this icljiifch be .supplied, like other churches, by meter, Councillor Wilson said the school he was connected with had water by meter, and their bill for one quarter, at so much per thousand gallons was the large sum of .lid, and for another quarter [o|d. It would be useless expense to compel this church to' get a water-meter at a cost of £i 10s, and have to pay perhaps lOd a quarter far the water used.,. . , '

' Councillor Richardson said they were quibbling about a few .dozens of gallons, not thousands'' of gallons per annum. A meter inthiscaso would not pay interest' on its cost,, let alone the water.

The.Mayor was glad the revenue point" had been raised; because itwes important; yet it was a palpable absurdity to ask that a meter-be fixed at a cost of M 10s ; to measure a shilling's worth of water. The baptismal font would be replenished twice a year, and it 2000 gallons were .used, which was an excessive the cost would be Is.

'The Chairman said the by-law give rio option, for any water used other than for 1 domestic purposes must be charged by meter. :■,,Councillor FitzGerald said it followed .that], the Council could not entertain this application.' Councillor .Miller; (Will the Mayor give us a guarantee'that they will use .only 2000 gallons a year?,' The Mayor Twill pay for the first 2000 gallons in advance (putting a shilling on the table). •'■ Councillor Miller: All right j I will take that,; .■.!.;.:... , ; :;l

CouncillorMcEenzierose to speak. The Chairman ruled that the by-law pctrmitted, no option, and that the application could not be entertained. ;-,, Councillor 'McKenzie"; but you have permitted others to discuss it.' • ■'' The l Chairman: I rule you out of order. , So the discussion ended.

Visitors o tp. ; Masterton from the Empire ;Ciiy J ar,eloud.m'theirexpressions of astonishment at the splendid displays' of drapers'; &ni .miUiners' ..goods to. be seen in tho :^mdows"of '. our various' KusinWi establish',me^s:;";*'G,;;'^.:)ScßßODKß's, Hall of Commerce, reooira special notice, and his ijtopk of Parisian and other spring novelties is pronounced by persons.whohave travelled in all the fashionable cities of the world to Be the: most rechtrchfi. ever seen in a colonial store,—Advt.