WATER FOR SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 301, 20 September 1928, Page 3

WATER FOR SCHOOLS

BOARD ACCEPTS LIABILITY “TOO MUCH WASTE” The unfairness of school committees having to pay the water rates on schools was again discussed at the Education Board meeting yesterday, when it was stated that the water charges would be met from the maintenance fund. Mr. C. 11. Nicholls protested that the water rate had brought Northland School Committee to a state of bankruptcy, Mr. J. J. Clark said he was glad to hear the board could pay the amount out of the maintenance fund, which just now had a credit of £lBOO. Although there were heavy demands against the fund, it was augmented every month, and they received £13,200 for maintenance during the twelve months, out of which he thought they could meet the expenditure for water rate without any serious strain. The point which concerned him was that the Department would not agree until now that the board should pay it. If the payment depleted the maintenance fund for other purposes then they should apply to the Department for more money for the maintenance fund. Mr. Hutchings said school committees generally were dissatisfied with the attitude of the board and the Department in regard to the water rate, and the board should meet the charge. Mr. A. C. Blake pointed out that there was a good deal of waste water at schools which could be avoided, lhe children went for a drink and left (he taps running. If taps could be provided which would automatically turn off when the children had had a drink 'hey would save thousands of gallons. A member: There’s a fortune to be made. . , , , The architect said an effort had been made to meet waste and leakage, and the low pressure was not always satisfactory. , . , Mr. Clark moved that the payment be made retrospective io the time when the change was made in the charges bv the corporation. 'Mr. Nicholls seconded, and I lie motion was carried.