A FINANCIAL FEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 288, 5 December 1929, Page 19

A FINANCIAL FEAT.

•DEVONPORT'S METERING POLICY. I PUMPING COSTS REDUCED. i j WATER CHARGES TO BE LOWERED. "Since we began to remeter the borough in 1927 we have spent over £7000 on water meters," said Mr. E. Aldridge, Mayor of Devpnport, at the local borough council meeting last evening. "This money has been provided solely from revenue by the simple pro- ! cesses of eliminating waste, by getting ; paid for what we supplied, and by the i consequent reduction of pumping costs. J It lias really turned into a borough asset ! of great value money which was being -I pumped to'waste down the drains. This ; is a financial feat of which the borough ; management may well be proud." I Mr. Aldridge supported his statements with the following figures, which covered the operations of the water department since the inception of the remetering ' policy:— i TotaJ Pumping ! Gallons Charges. Costs. ! Year. Pumped. £ ' £ 1927 . . 250,095,000 5513 427G 1028 .. 206,200,120 5338 3503 1029 . . 194,152,43G 5533 3001 I For the half-year ended September 30, j 1920, the figures showed still further ! reductions under all headings. "The important feature will be noted/' said Mr. Aldridge, "that there is a saving of 50,000,000 gallons of water per year when 1920 is compared with 1927. This represents a 22 per cent economy. During the same period the reduction in pumping costs has reached 2S per cent. We have received no more money from the ratepayers for water consumed —the cost has only been more equitably distributed and wastage prevented. We have, however, created a borough-asset of over 2000 meters which have a five years' guarantee. This cost will not be a recurring one. There will be a credit in the water account at the end of the financial year." "It may be definitely forecast," concluded Mr. Aldridge, "that next year we can either give relief to the interest rate, reduce the water charges, or do more work in the borough. My own opinion is that the first reduction should affect our meter rents." The councillors present thanked the Mayor and the Town Clerk (Mr. A. 'E. Wilson) for the informative statement on the borough's water supply, and supported the suggestion regarding reduction of meter rents.