WATER CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 299, 18 December 1935, Page 10

WATER CHARGES.

SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.

INADEQUACY OF GRANT.

FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.

Drawing attention to the hardships imposed upon the Mount Eden, Maungawliau and Brixton Road Schools because of the present charge for water, Mr. L. S. Piper and Mr. J. Miller, members of tlie Maungawhau and Mount Eden School Committees respectively, waited upon the Mount Eden Borough Council last evening. The deputation asked that tho council's representatives to the municipal conference to be held early next year, strongly support the remit which the council had forwarded advocating free water for schools.

Miv Piper said the financial position of the Maungawhau School Committee to-day was a hopeless one. After paying tho caretaker, all the money the committee had at its disposal to meet all demands was £40. What was required was an increased capitation grant and he asked the council's representatives to the municipal conference to stress the point.

Mr. Miller asked that the council's representatives use their influence to do away with the disparity in the matter of water supply between the city and suburban schools. Certain schools, ho considered, were being penalised. City schools were supplied with water free, and there was no reason why the suburban schools should not receive better treatment than they were now accorded.

The Mayor _(.Mr. T. McXab): I can tell you this, that when Mr. Ferner, Mayor of Mount Albert, and I waited upon Mr. Savage, ho told us that one of the lirst acts of the Labour Government would be to set up a metropolitan water board. I don't think there is any doubt but that he will do it. There will be 110 question.of preferential treatment then.

Mr. E. 11. Greenfield said he thought they wero stressing tlie importance of water too much, What was of more importance was a bigger capitation grant.

Mr. R. Mills: To my mind, the only qualification to be .on a school committee is to be a good "cadger." I was a member of the Maungawhau School Committee, and chairman for a period. Tho reason the city schools get water free is because the City Council owns tho water. We pay for it through the meter and through tlie nose too. It is not a fair thing that school committees should have to be 011 the "cadge" all the time. There should be an increase in the capitation grant. Mr. McNab: Mr. Buttlo and myself are the council's delegates to the "conference. If you supply us with t!:o facts we assure you that wo will do our best for you. With this assurance the deputation thanked the council and withdrew.