CITY WATERWORKS REVENUE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 145, 21 June 1899, Page 2

CITY WATERWORKS REVENUE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—lt is bard to comprehend what good service is rendered to the public by some writer persistently misrepresenting matters in connection with the surplus revenues from water supply, notwithstanding that he is aware that it takes nearly the whole of the revenues of the city to pay interest on existing loans, excepting the general rate, which is insufficient for requirements, and yet leaves a deficiency, and that thousands of pounds have been spent in boring operations, duplicating machinery, additional reservoir mains, temporary supplies, expensive reports, analysis, etc., etc. The using of the revenues to pay interest as provided for in the Act has saved the ratepayers a special rate of nearly one shilling in the pound. In the Loan Act, 1885 (when the new wards joined the city) provision was inserted for power to levy n special rate to pay interest thereon. This, however, was nullified by the insertion of a clause limiting the power to levy rates to what then existed, and virtually the loan of £200.000 was borrowed without any additional powers beyond utilising the city revenues. How, then, could the Council possibly conserve what is yet insufficient to pay the interest required? Ex-Mayors Mr Upton and the late Mr J. M. Clark (two good business men) repeatedly explained the position of these funds. With reference to the other departments, notably the Library and Art Gallery buildings, the in* terest and sinking fund on loans for this building is about £1500 annum. Yet all that is charged is either £200 or £300! If other departments did not pay their share of working expenses, half the revenue from the general rate would be absorbed, and there would not be sufficient left to keep the city clean, much less any other works. -I am, etc, VERITAS.