HIGHER WATER RATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 8

HIGHER WATER RATES.

HAMILTON" PROPERTY OWNERS. LOWER INSURANCE PREMIUMS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. Until now the property owners of Hamilton have paid for their water on a meter and flat rate basis, but the board has decided to comply with the Municipal Corporations Act by rating on the capital value. This decision will mean a substantial increase in the rates « high-valued properties in the badness area. Business men, somewhat (alarmed, held a meeting yesterday, bat on the position being explained they silently acquiesced. The borough engineer, Mr. P. Worley, pointed out that it was essential that the water rate should be based on lire-fighting facilities. At present house owners were paying for valuable business premises and stocks, which was inequitable. It was proposed to raise £36,000 for the improvement of the water service, by providing storage for one and a-lialf million gallons, against half a million, as at present. This water would be stored at such a height as would give a pressure of 751b in the town. Tlie effect would be that the fire underwriters would raise Hamilton's classification from "F" to "C." The additional water rates, therefore. would be far more than counterbalanced by the fall in insurance premiums.