THE BOROUGH WATER WORKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 April 1914, Page 5

THE BOROUGH WATER WORKS

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I notice in last night’s Star an advertisement by Mr D. Tennent soliciting votes for his candidature for the Mayoralty, wherein appears the following : “I hope to bo able to shew you, if elected, that without in any way curtailing, but rather enhancing the efficiency of the waterworks especially, a very considerable saving can be effected, and turn what is now, and has been for three years a serious loss, into a very fair profit.” Now, this statement has considearbly surprised me, as I always thought the waterworks were self-supporting. Con you give me figures to justify the assumption that there is a loss? \ etc,, RATEPAYER.

[Upon inquiry wo learn from Cr Greenskule (chairman of the Finance Committee) that the Borough balance-sheets disclose the following position for the last three years: —1911, credit-balance £192 2s Id; 1912, credit balance £430 8s 6d; 1913, credit balance, £473 6s 3d. These credit balances are after making due provision for interest and sinking fund. Furthermore the gas consumed by the engines at the pumping station is charged against the waterworks and paid for at full rates. If the gas were charged at cost only the profit on the waterworks would be at least another £SOO to £6oo.—Ed. E.S.]