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ABERDARE.

THE NEW PUBLIC OFFICES AT…

THE COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION.

"CHARLEY'S AUNT" AT THE CARDIFF…

THE STARVING rooit OFMERTHYR.

I MERTHYR COUNCIL.

MR DAN DAVIES. i

OUTSIDE TAPS IN MERTHYR. rI

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OUTSIDE TAPS IN MERTHYR. rI The question of outside taps came up for discussion at the meeting of the District Council on Wednesday, when Mr. Dan Thomas, in accordance with notice given, moved, "That all resolutions or bye-laws affecting, or sanctioning, the use of outeide taps be rescinded with the view of compelling the owners of all houses in the district to place water taps inside their houses, so as to prevent the general waste of water which now prevails." He believed they should do this though it might cause a good deal of incon- venience to small cottage owners.—The Chairman: And to large ones too.—Mr. Dan Thomas thought that large property owners ought to show an example to the others. It was patent to all that a great deal of water was being wasted, and it was a shame that so much was lost. They could have the thing done by spreading the payments ovor a period of two or three years, as they did with the private improve- ments.—Mr. J. Harpur agreed, and said that the waste of water outside taps through the bursting of the pipes, &c., was frightful, and he submitted that the money which the peoplopaid for repairing the pipes would be more than saved by having the taps placed inside the houses.—Mr. Evan' Lewis entirely dis- agreed, and moved, as an amendment, a direct nega- tive, that they should leave those old cottagca whose leases were about to run out at any rate.—Mr. Henry Lewis said that the matter had been discussed by the old Board, and thoy then agreed that, self-closing taps bo placed outside.—Mr. E. Lewis stated that tho owners of 12 houses in Ponydarren were compelled somo timo ago to place their taps outride, and now they were being asked to put them in again. Perhaps in another three years they would be asked again to put them out (laughter). It was a great hardship to these poor people. And when the houses belonging to rich owners were compelled to leave the taps inside, the expense would fall upon tho poor tenants, and goodness know that they had to pay high rents enough even now without having them increased. He considered it to be a cruel thing, for it would mean benefitting the landlord at the ex- pense of the poor tenant. — Mr. J. LI. Atkins seconded.—Mr. Thomas Thomas supported the motion, and felt proud that the representative of a large company like Mr. Harpur bad seconded the motion. It was all N cry well for Mr. E. Lewis to riso tho bogey of high rents and the action of unscru- pulous landlords, but they as a Council ought to act as fairly as possible in the matter. It was most dan- gerous during the present frosty weather, to send young children and old people to fetch water to the outside tapp, iu consequence of the ioo which sur- rounded the taps, without saying a word as to the rounded the taps, without saying a word as to the inconvenience caused to the working classes who were obliged to go out to fetch what was necessary ia the bitterest wc-ataer.—Mr. Wills spoke in the same strain in favour of the motion, and the Clerk proceeded to explain the position of the Board in the matter.—Mr. David Davies having spoken in favour of the motion, the Chairman explained that in the case of the colliery company whieh be represented, and who owned abont 300 eottagw with small taps, it would cost them about £400 to have the taps inside. As far as the Plymouth Com pany was concerned. be would be sorry indeed toeompel the tenants to have the water i nside their houses, for the rooms were small, and great inconvenience would be caused but if it was the wish of the Council that this should be done, then they would abide by it but so far as be was concerned be would vote against tbo motion.—Mr. Bell thought that something should be done to prevent thswa-teof water.—Mr. Dan Thomas said he felt surprised that people in the position of Mr. EvanLewisandMr. Atkins should act as thoy had done. They only opposed the motion from interested motives, because "they collected the reuts from the owners and Mr. Lewis That is not right.—Mr. Dan Thomas I come here to serve the interest of the ratepayers at large. Henry Lewis This is too bad, Mr. Chairman to impute motives a* unfair.—Mr. Evan Lewis: I have only out- side tap in the houses whose rents I collect.—The Chairman said tb-yt the Plymouth Company had received no complaints as to the inconvenience of the outside taps and that the cost of placing them inside would be from 25s. to 30s. per house.—A vote was then taken upon the question, with the following result :— For rescinding (11) I J. Lewis W. Bell I D. Davies Thos. Thomas W. Lewis J. Roberts I V. A. Wilis Dan Thomas J. Harpur H. W. Lewi* I>. James Against (6) H. Lewis D. W. JoBM Evan Lewis J. LI. Atkins Joeeph Owen The Chairman —Mr. Dan Thomas suggested that they should give the Clerk instruction to prepare a clause in the Bill to that effect.-It was then agreed tba.t the "Committee appointed for considering the Bill should meeet at an early date, and that in the meantime the reports of the Clerk and book-keeper be printed and sent to the members. o.

Correspondence.

KNOT HICKORY.

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