WATER CHARGES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 195, 31 May 1946, Page 4

WATER CHARGES

ASHBURTON COUNTY SUPPLY POND RATES INCREASED Floods, winds, increased rates of pay, shorter hours and paid holidays have all combined to effect a substantial deterioration in the Ashburton County Council’s water supply account, and the sequel came at this morning’s meeting when it was resolved to increase the present pond charges to bring .in extra estimated revenue of £285. No change is to be made in the other water race charges.

At the previous meeting a special committee was set up to go into the matter and their report was placed before members of the council this morning.

The committee pointed out that two items were non-recurring, Hinds Gorge main (£200) and Klondyke headworks (£491). They recommended amalgamation of the. duties of various officers and also instructed the engineer to inquire into the position of various races which, in the past, had been cleaned at the council’s expense. The loss of water through lack of fall in many places was considered and the engineer was directed to take the matter up with farmers with a view to bringing about some improvement. It was also felt by the committee that pond services caused a serious loss of water and it was recommended that the following increases in this connection be imposed: Pond services, from 7s 6d to 20s (bringing in £176 ss); sheep dips, pipes, pumps, rams, water wheels and windmills, from 7s 6d to 10s (£74 7s 6d).; Fairfield freezing works £75 to £llO (£35). Race Charges Question No decision was reached by the committee regarding any increase in race charges and this matter was referred back to the council, though it was pointed out that, in event of an increase per chain being decided upon, the charge of £75 to the Borough Council should be increased in proportion. “The committee felt,” added the report, “that, %itli the increased charge of £285 as above, plus savings by the amalgamation of duties, plus the nonrecurring charges, the account should in a complete year, hold its own, unless unprecedented expenditure is incurred. The cost of the Mount Hutt race will, however, necessitate increased charges, or payment from the general, account.” The increased pond charges were approved and it was resolved, practically without discussion, that no increase be made in chain water charges.