CO129-572-14 Proposed reorganisation of water services 7-4-1938 - 3-4-1939 — Page 3

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This has her the onlycet of a despatch

on anotam Zile

sus.

shown under separate neaus of the Colonial

Estimates in future, and it will be the aim

for charges for water to cover the total

expenses of the new Department, including

the repayment of past capital expenditure

made from the revenue of the Colonial Government,

by an annual charge of 2% ceasing after fifty

years. A large kenewals Fund will not be set

up as military contribution would be payable

on any money allocated to such a fund.

In future water will be charged for

on the basis of 2% of rates for the "general

charges", with no free allowances and a standard

charge for all water consumed. The policy of

supplying each floor in the tenement houses

with a separate meter will be adopted gradually,

and in general the water charges will in future

be paid by the tenant instead of by the landlord

wherever possible.

A system for the detection and

prevention of waste will be carried out, which

it is hoped will result in an annual saving,

after a few years, of about $200,000.

We are not asked to comment on this,

and the Governor intends shortly to proceed

with legislation carrying out the recommendations

made in the ebrandum. In general the changes

seem to me desirable, and subject to any

comments which Mr. Walker may have to make from

the accounting point of view, I suggest that we

may wait for the legislation to be forwarded.

ho Gent to

P. Roge D

25.11.38.

retur