WATER FROM CITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 253, 26 October 1933, Page 5

WATER FROM CITY.

BIRKENHEAD ACTION.

CONTRACT FOR 21 YEARS.

TERMS OF RESOLUTION. The Birkenhead Borough Council last night decided to conclude a contract with the Auckland City Council for a supply of water for the borough for 21 years. Under the Municipal Corporations Act, a contract cannot be made for a period exceeding three years; but it is anticipated that the restriction will be waived without difficulty. According to a resolution passed last night, after committee discussion, the water is to be delivered to the Birkenhead reservoir. The prices are to be 1/2 per 1000 gallons for the first year, 1/1 for the second year and 1/ for the rest of the contract term. Birkenhead is to receive the same consideration as other local body customers on the city side of the harbour after the end of the second year. If the price to such customers is less than 1/ at that time, the price to Birkenhead is to be reduced accordingly. In the. event of the price after the end of the second year not being below 1/ per 1000 gallons, the contract is to be subject to review in regard only to price at the end of the seventh year and the fourteenth year of the contract. Steps are to be taken to have the following clause inserted in the Local Legislation Bill, 1933: "Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in section 249 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920, the Birkenhead Borough Council is hereby authorised to contract with the Auckland City Council for such supply of water as the Birkenhead Borough Council thinks necessary for all purposes for a period of 21 years." After resolutions had been passed, the Mayor, Mr. G. Mills, was given authority to expedite the matter. No action is to be taken by the council in regard to appointing a representative on a committee set up by local bodies interested, to facilitate the proposals of the Waikato company. Information that such a committee had been formed, and an invitation to appoint a representative, was contained in a letter from the town clerk of Newmarket, Mr. H. Wilson, who is also secretary of the committee.