WATER BY METER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21086, 21 January 1932, Page 12

WATER BY METER.

Sir, —" Ratepayer" is one of many who aro dissatisfied with the inaccuracy of the meters. If he lived in the Mount Albert borough he would find that numerous ratepayers had been mulcted in excess charges, while many others who have used the excess had escaped owing to meters apparently registering wrongly. My experience is typical of many. We are four in family—never wasteful with water, no hosepipe or leaky taps, no washing, average four moderate baths a week, and use consistently approximately the same quantity year in and out. My meter readings, however, for the last four years are as follows:—14,000, 35,000, 8000, and last year 50,000. I lodged a complaint over the 35,000 and the council took the meter away and tested it (to its own satisfaction) and even took the trouble to instal a new meter beside it on my main and ran the two together for a month. The result of which was a letter from the council stating the meter had been thoroughly tested and proved to be registering 2 per cent. slow. There was nothing for it but to pay up and look pleasant. The irony of the thing is, however, that the following year, when the meter is supposed to register 2 per cent, slow, it only recorded 8000 consumption, but it made up for its failure by bouncing up to 50.000 for the last year. Naturally, I did not complain at the 8000, but the 50,000 staggered me, and my protest to the council was met by the munificent offer of a rebate of £1 " without prejudice." I can have the meter again tested by the council in its own way on payment of 7s 6d and must abide by its decision. It. will not allow or consider any independent test. Another Ratepayer.