CAUSTIC COMMENT

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 190, 20 August 1935, Page 5

CAUSTIC COMMENT

Borough Council Meeting I ' HOSPITAL BOARD'S REQUEST SUBJECT OF WATER METERS Caustic comment was made * by members of the Borough | Council last evening when the following letter to the Town Clerk from the managing-secre-tary of the Waipawa Hospital Board was read: — “With a view to coming to an amicable arrangement (regarding hospital water meters), the board has requested that the chairman and myself should confer with you. If, therefore, during any Tuesday morning or Friday afternoon you are near the hospital, would you please | call in.” The Town Clerk (Mr. H. B. Smart) said that on January 11 he had written as follows to the managing-sec-retary of the Hospital Board: — “I have to draw your attention to the unsatisfactory condition of two of your water meters. These meters have not been registering for the past year and your early attention to the matter would be appreciated. To calculate the past year’s charges, an average over a period of years has

; been taken, and you will appreciate that this is not satisfactory to your board or to my council. I would be pleased if you would advise when the meters are repaired or replaced.” In June it was’ found that the meters were still in the same condition, and on August 7 he had again written as follows: —

“In reference to my letter of January 11 last regarding your water I meters, I find that no notice has been | taken thereof, and the meters are 1 still in the same condition. I there- ! fore have to advise that unless these meters are replaced within fourteen days from date hereof, the council will undertake the work and charge I your board with the cost. “What’s their idea of side-stepping it?” asked Cr. H. A. Martin. “Is it so that they can use as much water j as they like?” j “They’re rather belated in their reply!” said Cr. J. McCarthy. Cr. R. W. Carpenter said that the meters should have been repaired. “I think we should give the clerk authority to insist that the meters be repaired,’ ’said the Mayor (Mr. I. W. N. Mackie). “It’s not a matter on i which we want to meet the board; we think that the meters should be

put in order.” Cr. McCarthy: I think it's an infernal cheek! Who is it suggested that the town clerk should meet? The Mayor: The chairman and the secretary of the board. Cr. McCarthy: That is the Hospital Board! The Mayor said that the only satisfactory way out of the difficulty seemed to be to have the meters put in order; then the Hospital Board could be charged for the amount of water that it used. “It’s only fair to other people!” said Cr. McCarthy. “I think the letter is a bit of bluff,” remarked Cr. J. L. Brathwaite.

“What’s wrong with tjieir coming down here and interviewing Mr. Smart?” asked Cr. McCarthy.

Cr. Bromell: That’s what any other body or individual would do.

Cr. Windle suggested that the Town Clerk should reply that he was

prepared to meet representatives of the Hospital Board up till August 23, otherwise the meters would be replaced at t*he board's expense.

“It is a bit rich, asking us to go up there,’ ’said the Mayor.

“Over the fence,” said Cr. McCarthy.

“Mussolini style!” agreed Cr. Windle.

It is a matter which might very well be left to the engineer, and any action he takes should have the backing of the council,” said Cr.' McCarthy.

The Mayor agreed that by follow-

ing this course any unnecessary unpleasantness might be avoided, and a resolution on the lines suggested was carried.