į
387
IV.
"That the meter be fixed by this Depart- ment, (the Colonial Waterworks) the details
of the connection and fixing being left to
me (the Colonial Water Authority) but that the work be paid for by the Military*.,
to the last of which there is no objection.
This supply of water to the Military is not
as in the case of civilian residents at the Peak and
elsewhere in the Colony paid for by fixed rate without
reference to consumption, it is furnished through meter
and paid for according to the quantity consumed. On
this point a much more jealous check is kept by the War
Department than can be, or actually is kept on it by the
Colonial Authorities in the case of domestic supply as
I know from observation, and it should not be assumed
that the Military Authorities will not exercise control.
Moreover, the Colonial Authorities will have
in fact full control through the meter, they can remon-
strate if the consumption is excessive, or even decline
to continue supply.
It is undesirable and unusual that the arrange-
mants of the War Department should be subjected to out-
side inspection, which of course implies interference;
this power does not exist in the case of the Cantonments
in