MOUNT EDEN RATING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 136, 11 June 1929, Page 11

MOUNT EDEN RATING.

INCREASE IN WATER CHARGES

CITY COUCIL CRITICISED

SUPPLY OX THE WRONG LINES

In submitting the' Estimates for the

present year at a special meeting of the Mount- Eden Borough Council last evening, the Mayor (Mr. E. H. Potter) said care had to be exercised in regard to

expenditure from loan. Under this heading heavy expediture had been made during the last three years, and the programme of work was increased to assist the unemployed. ■ The programme of work for the present year included sewerage, drainage, and resurfacing of roads in permanent material, for which a definite sum would be allocated, so that interest and sinking fund could be paid out of revenue from new valuations. The estimates had been framed to meet ordinary expenditure only.

The sum required to meet the commitments for the year, including interest 011 loans and ordinary expediture, required a consolidated rate of 3/11 —which rate is subject to '2b per cent discount if paid within 30 days, and he gave notice to move that such a rate be struck at the next meeting on July 8. .

Not Surprising. "The announcement by the City Council that they propose to increase the charge for water oy meter to 1/3 per 1000 gallons need cause no surprise," said Mr. Potter. "It merely bears out what 1 have contended during the pas.t years, that the City Council water supply is on the wrong lines. It is obvious that the charge will not stop at 1/3 per 1000, as the city proposes to tap the Hunua at a cost considerably exceeding that of the Waitakerei development. When ' the outside local bodies endeavoured to form a Water Board the city actively opposed, and at that time were sure they could continue the supply at 1/ per thousand gallons. Since the commission sat in 192U we have had one summer in which there was an insufficient supply, and now we are to have an increased charge.

"An extract from the Auckland Water Commission report will be of interest at the present time. It reads as follows:— "Although in the opinion of your commissioners, nothing in the history of Auckland's management of its water undertaking shows any desire to take undue advantage of neighbouring local bodies, it was virtualv admitted "by the Auckland city at the inquiry before your commissioners that the price of 1/ per 1000 gallons charged to various purchasing bodies would stand a reduction/

Appeal to Consumers. "Unfortunately we have to increase our charge in Mount Eden, but we ask the users of water to exercise reasonable care to keep down their payment for water, and to note that the meter charge includes all such separate charges such as those for hose or lavatories which are sometimes made.

It is satisfactory to note that the financial position of the borough conipares favourably with that of most boroughs in New Zealand. Our loan indebtedness is light in comparison with capital value of the borough, and the sinking funds are making a substantial provision for the redemption of the loans, while Government loans are being steadily repaid on the amortisation method. The earliest date when loans fall due is 1937, and after that date we may anticipate a substantial reduction in rates."