WATER RATE AT MOUNT ALBERT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 170, 20 July 1935, Page 8

WATER RATE AT MOUNT ALBERT.

The Mayor and councillors of Mount Albert deserve credit for able management of the borough finances, but there is just one item that oilers a subject for considerable discussion: that water which is purchased from the city at 1/2 per 1000 gallons, costs the consumer 2/(i. According to recent local body reports in the Press, Birkenhead consumers pay 1/9 for their water, while it is purchased from the city at the same rate as the Mount Albert supply. No doubt there is some feasible explanation for the above difference in rate to the consumers. Perhaps Mr. Ferner could throw light on the matter in a few words. CHEAP WATER. [The town clerk of Mount Albert comments on this letter: "Mount Albert certainly pays 1/2 per 1000 gallons for monthly cash payment. Birkenhead purchases water front the city at 1/1 per 1000 gallons, and the charge made is 1/10 per 1000 gallons, with a discount of Id per 1000 gallons for cash within .'SO days, payable half-yearly. The charge in Mount Albert is not 2/<i, as stated, but in respect of ordinary household supply fl 14/ for a minimum of IS,OOO gallons, or 1/10J per 1000, payable yearly, and in the case of large consumption is reduced to 1/9 per 1000 gallons. The margin between price paid and charge to consumer is necessary to cover the following it-ems: Free supply to primary schools, fire brigade purposes, public services, flushing of mains, borough works and the servicing of mains, including renewal, cleaning and relining, and experience has shown that with.the margin allowed it is difficult to balance the water account."—Ed.]