WATERWORKS CHARGES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4186, 20 August 1874, Page 2

WATERWORKS CHARGES.

A public meeting of ratepayers was held in the side-room of the Odd Fellows' Hall last evening, to protest against the exorbitant charges of the City Council in laying on the water service pipes. Between forty and fifty persons were present, and Mr. Hutchison was voted to the chair. After a few explanatory remarks from the chairman, it was proposed by Mr. Moody and seconded .by Mr. Petherick, " That this meeting is of opinion that the water-supply should be laid on to premises at the expense of the Corporation, on the same plan as that adopted by the Gas Company ; audit is further of opinion that the charges made for labor in laying the pipes are exorbitant and unreasonable, and that charging for the use of tools is entirely without precedent." The motion was earned unanimously; Beveral persons spealdng on the magnitude .of the charges for the xise of tools and for labor. A number of accounts, which had been rendered for laying on the service pipes, were put before the meeting, and the majority of those who had received them stated their intention to resist the payment on the grounds of gross overcharge. The hardship of the case was dwelt upon by several speakers ; and it was ultimately suggested by the Chairman that some determination should be come to by the present meeting to give practical effect to the resolution already passed. It was then proposed by Mr. Knigge, and seconded by Mr. Smith, junior—" That a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Moody, Bollinger, Miller, Heywood, Knigge, Petford, and Hutchison, wait on the City Council at its next meeting (to-day), and present the resolution previously passed." This was carried unanimously, and after passing a vote of thanks to the Chairman the meeting terminated.