THE WATERWORKS.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XL, Issue 5775, 28 February 1912, Page 5

THE WATERWORKS.

A LONG SERVICE PIPE

EXTENSION OF RETICULATION

QUESTION TO BE CONSIDERED

At the meeting of the Borough Council on Monday night a letter \va<= read from Mrs M. Humphreys, who wrote pointing out that the water had been laid on to her dwelling. Wharfstreet We=t. She stated she was charged with co-t of supplying and laying a fervice pipe for a considerable distant 1-? along the street to drawsupply from the Cameron-road main, there being no main in the portion of Wharf-street in which she lives. As the pipe thus laid will, if required, serve for connections to other dwellings in the same portion of Wharfstreet, Mrs Humphreys asked that the sum charged for piping laid in the street be refunded to hei\ or, failing that course, that she be charged only half-rates until she is reimbursed for the heavy additional expense.

In reply to a question, Mr Gumbley said Mrs Humphreys was aware of the coit before the work wa=f undertaken. Cr. Duncanson moved, That Mrs Humphreys' second request be acceded to, and that any owner of property in similar cases be allowed to lay pipes and pay half-rate until he reimburses himself for his outlay.—Seconded by Cr. Carmichael. | In reply to ague tion, Mr Gumbley paid the co9t of laying the pipe was between £3 and £4. Cr. Macmillan asked if Mrs Humphreys 7 property wai within 100 yds. of the main. Several councillors replied they thought it wa\ Cr. Macmillan moved an amendment, That Mr. 3. Humphreys' property being with 100 yds. of the main, phe be refunded the cost of connecting the main within her property, the Council retaining Jhe connecting fee of £1. — Seconded by Cr. Castaing. Cr. Munro pointed out that a similar request from Mr Kirk had been refused. He would be in favor of refunding half the cost. The Mayor said if either request were acceded to,- it would open the door for other similar applicationo. He was inclined to favor Cr. Munro's suggestion. Cr. Macmillan's amendment was negatived. Cr. Munro moved, That Mrs Humphreys be refunded half the extra cost of laying the pipe. —Seconded by the Mayor, and negatived. Cr. Duncanson's motion was put, the voting being four each way. In accordance with Parliamentary procedure the Mayor gave his casting vote against the motion. In reply to a question, the Mayor said the result of the voting was that no action was taken in the matter, but the queotion could be brought forward at next meeting by notice of motion. Mr G. H. Bell intimated that he had built a house on lot 30, First-avenue. He ia having the water Jaid on to the house, and wished to know if he would be charged anything extra for use if he had an extra tap at the stable for the horse and for washing a gig. If so, what would the extra charge be. The Mayor said the charge could be determined by the Council. Cr. Hammond moved, That Mr Kell be charge^ 10s per year. —Seconded by Cr. Murdoch. Cr. Munro was in favor of not making a charge. The motion was put and carried. The Waterworks Committee reported re Mr J. C. Adams' letter:

There is apparently nothing to prevent a meter being installed, but if the water is being used for other than ordinary purposes he is clearly liable to be charged in accordance with the bylaws for such extra supply, e.g., if used for lawns 10s per annum. The suggestion made by Mr Adams to combine both will be worthy of consideration when a fair trial has been given to the present charges and it is found that the supply is on a good sound financial footing. Re Mr Gumbley's account: The committee stated that the account, a* previously amended, appears to be correct, but in any future work done outside the Borough, the committee sugge:ted he be empowered to charge »5 per cent extra 10 per cent, of which {■hall be payable to him in the ordinary way, in addition to his salary. Re Mr Gamman'a application: The committee reported that a' Mr Gam.rarv's property is outside the reticulation area he be informed that his application will be considered when the Council has the extension scheme before it; in the meantime permission would be granted to connect with the main in Edge-cumbe-road. on payment of the usual fee. Re extension: The committee 5-uggeted that a special meeting be called, at which application* for water from tho-e outside the present supply shall bo considered, and in the meantime the. clerk be in«tru ted to obtain quotation-from the Spiral Steel Pipe Company, for six-inch pipes and from Auckland and Wellington firms for four-iirh Mannesmann or Lloyd pipes such quotations to be submitted to Mr Gumbley and an estimate of the cost per chain for estimates submitted by him at such special meeting: the committee to go into the question of finance jointly with the Finance Committee, and also report at said special meeting.

The report was considered seriatim, and was adopted as a vvli«)t>.

The Mayor moved, Thac Mr H. Munro Wilson be requested to give authority to have outfalls and any other works connected with the waterworks completed in terms of the contract.- Seconded by Cr, Munro and carried.