Price of Hot Water.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 941, 11 December 1933, Page 6

Price of Hot Water.

Dear Sir, —I would like to endorse " Fair Thing's ” remarks about the extremely high charge for boiling water at the Gardens. Last Sunday (a week ago) my wife presented a three-pint jug, with tea, to be filled with boiling water. She was astonished when 6d was demanded in payment, and when she refused to pay so much the water and our tea was tipped down the drain rather than let us have it for less. When my w’ife told the attendant that we have never been charged more than 3d for the same jug at the seaside, she was told to go back to the seaside. I think it time the Domains Board provided some accommodation for people to boil their billies, like there is at Brighton and Pleasant Point Domains. In this respect our Domains Board is years behind the times. In conclusion I may say that one may buy a four-course dinner between certain times of the day for 6d (including tea or coffee) near the Bridge of Remembrance, and morning and afternoon tea can be had anywhere in town for 6d. I have seen complaints like this before, and I think it’s time something was done about it. —I am, etc., DISGUSTED. When the letter was referred to the lessee of the Tea Kiosk in the Botanic Gardens, the following statement was made :—“ Our charges are not excessive, especially when it is rememl>ered that our earnings in the summer season have to carry us over the winter, when trade is poor and the rent charges remain at the same figure. I remember the woman, and I remember the jug. She brought the jug and offered threepence in payment for the water. She knew it should be sixpence, but said she would not pay that amount. I was busy, and her officious manner annoyed me. I told her that the sixpence would be paid or the water would be ''poured out. She said that I could pour the water out. I waited to see if she would change her mind, but she demanded the jug, so I gave it to her, empty. As we have had only the one complaint from all our customers, I should sav that the second letter comes from the husband of the first correspondent. Other people have remarked on our moderate prices, and state that they have been charged more at other places.”