2% Rate
94
Appendix II.
ESTIMATE OF REVENUE FROM WATER FOR 1937 ON PROPOSED
BASIS OF CHARGE.
Meter rents, Fire Service Rentals and Incidental Fees
Charges for consumption :-
Flat rates 4,929 million gallons @ 30 cents
Peak supplies 60 million gallons @ 50 cents
High level supplies 157 million gallons @ 40 cents
Shipping and construction supplies 184 million gallons @ $1,00..
Less Military contribution.
Net revenue
Appendix III.
$ 706,739
258,520
1,478,700
30,000
62,800
184,000
2,720,759
544, 152
$2,156,607
COST OF MONTHLY ACCOUNTS.
If all accounts are placed on a monthly basis and all water paid for (i.e., the "free allowance" is abolished) the number of accounts issued monthly will increase from 6,000 to 25,000, on the basis of the existing number of meters. Obviously there will be a further increase in so far as separate metering of floors is adopted. Ignoring the latter, i.e., assuming the present number of meters, it is estimated that staff increases would be required in the Water Department and Treasury costing $14,000 per annum and $5,000 per annum respectively; and that non-recurrent expenditure would be required on addi- tional cash registers in the Treasury to the extent of approximately $15,000. Practical- ly the whole of these increased charges would be attributable to the adoption of monthly accounts, as the new basis of charge, while involving the issue of accounts to more con- sumers will simplify the making out of accounts owing to the abolition of the "free allowance".
Additional office accommodation would also be necessary eventually and it would probably be desirable to establish a branch office in Kowloon (which might also be useful for other revenue collection work). It is, however, impossible to estimate the cost of this with any accuracy. The extent of the additional accommodation required must depend on how far separate metering of floors is adopted.
It may be put briefly that the cost of the universal monthly accounts is not likely to be less than $20,000 per annum and may well be much more.