Hunter District Water Supply and Sewerage Act of 1892 (NSW)

No. XXVII.

An Act to establish a Board of Water Supply and Sewerage for the district of the Lower Hunter; to transfer certain portions of land and works for water supply con­ structed by the Government within such district and vest the same in the said Board; to transfer to the said Board certain reticulation works in connection with water supply and certain works for sewerage constructed by certain Municipal Councils; to provide for the licensing and certificating of persons to perform work in connection with water supply and sewerage; to confer on such Board all requisite powers for the administration of all matters relating to the water supply and sewerage of such district and in cer­ tain cases of places outside such district; to provide for the repayment of cost of works for water supply and sewerage for the said district and of certain loans made to the Council of the Borough of Newcastle; to confer certain powers and impose certain duties in respect to the construction of works for water supply and sewerage within such district on the Minister; to provide for the acquisition and occupation of lands required for pur­ poses of water supply or sewerage and for the payment of compensation in respect of such lands, and for the sale and lease of superfluous lands; and to make other provisions incidental to such purposes. [31st March, 1892.]

BE it enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with lative Assembly of New South Wales in Parliament assembled, and the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Legis­ by the authority of the same, as follows, that is to say :—

E PARI"

PART I.

Introductory Provisions— Poivers and Liabilities of Minister—Con­

stitution, powers, and duties of the Hunter District Board of Water Supply and Sewerage—Appointment of Officers and Pate

Collectors—Transfer of Property to Board—By-laws—Licenses,

Contracts, Water and Sewerage Districts, 8fc.

1. This Act may he cited as the " Hunter District Water Supply and Sewerage Act of 1892." I ts enactments arc arranged under six Parts, embracing the following subjects, viz.:—

PART I.— Introductory Provisions—Powers and Liabilities

of Minister—Constitution, powers, and duties of the Hunter District Board of Water Supply and Sewerage— Appointment of Officers and Pale Collectors—Transfer of

Property to Board—By-laws—Licenses, Contracts, Water

and Sewerage Districts, SfC.— ss. 1-42.

PART I I — Water Supply, Sfc.— ss. 43-95.

P A R T III .—Sewerage— ss. 96-128.

PART IV.—Pepayment of cost, of Hunter District Water and

Sewerage Works, Adjustment of Accounts, Bepaymcnt of

loans to Councils, Sj-c.—ss. 129-133.

P A R T V.— General provisions as to the acquisition and occupa­ tion of Lands for purposes of Water Supply or Sewerage— Compensation for damage or injury how ascertained—• ss. 134-151.

PART VI.—Miscellaneous Provisions—Legal Procedure, See.—

ss. 155-169.

2. In the construction of this Act, unless inconsistent with

the context,—•

" Approved Scheme " of water supply, or sewerage, means such scheme as may be or haA'c been from time to time approved by the Governor.
" Building" means any dwelling-house, shop, store, warehouse, church, chapel, concert-room, hospital, theatre, manufactory, workshop, stable, cow-shed, privy, or other building or erection whatsoever.

" Closet" means any closet used for the reception of faecal matter or urine, and discharged by water or otherwise.

"C o n d u i t " means the canals, tunnels, aqueducts, cuttings, or supplied within the District. pipes by means of which the main stream of water is

"Governor" means the Governor, with the advice of t h e Execu­

tive Council.

" J u s t i c e " means any Justice of the Peace.
"Minis te r" means the Secretary for Public Works or other

Responsible Minister of the Crown charged with the ad­ ministration of this Act.

" O w n e r " means any person who is in the receipt of the rents and profits of any house, manufactory, or buildings of whatsoever kind, or of any land in connection with which the term is used.
" Prescribed" means prescribed by by-laws or regulations made under due statutory authority.

"Sewer" means any sewer or drain, of what kind soever, whereby any liquid refuse or any water shall be carried off, or any storm water drain or sewer which may be placed under the control of the Board.

" Sewerage"

" Sewerage District" means the area within which the construc­ tion and maintenance of sewerage or drainage works for sewerage or drainage is included or is being or may be from time to time carried out or maintained by the Minister or the Board, or which may be proclaimed a Sewerage District from time to time by the Governor.

"S t r ee t " means any square, court, alley, highway, lane, road, thoroughfare, or public passage.
"The Board" means the Board to be established under this Act.

" Urinal" means any receptacle for urine.

" Water District" means the area within which water is or may

be from time to time supplied by the Board.

3. This Act shall come into force on the first day of May, in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two.

4. Dor the purposes of carrying out and completing any approved schemes of water supply or sewerage for which executive authority shall have been or be given, the powers, authorities, duties, and obligations respectively conferred and imposed on the Board by this Act, shall be held to be also conferred and imposed on the Minister until the said works shall in each case be transferred to the Board as hereinafter provided. The powers conferred by this section shall not prejudice the powers of the Board in respect to any water supply or sewerage works vested in the Board.

5. The Authority empowered to carry out the provisions of this Act, except as to such parts thereof as empower the Minister to complete, construct, or maintain works for water supply or sewerage, shall be the " H u n t e r District Water Supply and Sewerage Board." And such Board shall be composed of seven persons to be respectively elected and appointed as hereinafter provided :—•

(I) The Governor shall by one or more Commissions, under his hand and the seal of the Colony, appoint three persons to be members of the said Board, who shall be designated "Official Members," and one of such persons shall, in and by any such Commission, be appointed President of the Board,

(II) The Municipal Council of the city of Newcastle shall elect one Member;—the Councils of East and West Maitland, and Morpeth one Member; and the Councils of each of the Boroughs and Municipal Districts mentioned in the Pirst Schedule, and of any Municipality hereafter constituted within any Water or Sewerage District under this Act, shall

6 Such seven persons so to be elected and appointed shall be a body corporate under the name of the " Hunter District Water Supply and Sewerage Board," and, by that name, shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, and sue and be sued ; and may accept, purchase, hold, and enjoy to them and their successors as members of the said body corporate and for the uses thereof, any real and personal estate or property of what kind soever. elect two members, to be designated " Municipal Members."

7. The members of the Board shall hold office for four years :

Provided that of the first members appointed or elected three shall bo so appointed and elected for a period of two years only, viz., one official, and two Municipal Members. And the Municipal Members to hold office for such two years shall be those Avho received the least number of votes at their election, if the same shall have been a contested election ; and if not, or in case of an equality of votes, then the determination shall be by lot. The official member to hold office for the period of two years shall be determined by the Governor. And it shall be determined by lot between the Mayors of the Municipal Councils of East and West Maitland and Morpeth and Newcastle

which

which of the members elected by such Councils shall hold office for the period of two years. But all such members, whether official or municipal, shall, if qualified, be eligible for reappointment or re­ election respectively.

(i)   Where, in any case, it shall be necessary to determine any election under this Act by lot, it shall be the duty of the President of the Board, within one month from the date of holding such election, to summon the Mayors of Councils concerned in such election, to meet at a place and time to be appointed by such President, of which not less than seven days notice shall be given, for the purpose of determining by lot the members who shall hold office under the circumstances of the case. And the result of such determination shall be communicated to the Minister by the President of the Board forthwith, and shall be published in the Gazette by the Minister.

8. The Governor shall appoint some member of the Board to be their President; and the Board shall elect one of their number to be their Vice-president. The Vice-president may, during the absence of the President, act as President, and while so acting, shall have the same power as the President if present would have. The President, or, in his absence, the Vice-president of the Board, shall preside at all meetings thereof, and shall have a casting, in addition to his original vote.
9. The President of the Board shall, during his tenure of office, be entitled to be paid such salary as the Governor may determine, and as may be voted by Parliament. Every other member of the Board shall be entitled to receive as remuneration for his services a sum not exceeding one hundred pounds per annum, to be paid to him in the form of a fee for each meeting of the Board at which he shall have been present up to the time of the termination thereof, and of such amount as the Governor may appoint. The office of any elected Member of the Board shall not, for the purposes of the Act forty- seventh Victoria number five be deemed to be an office of profit under the Crown.

10. Any member of the Board may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Governor, in which case, or in case of the death of any member, or his removal by the Governor, or the vacation of his seat pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the appoint­ ment or election to supply the vacancy so arising shall be for the	residue of the term for which the member so resigning, dying, or
removed was appointed or elected. Any person appointed or elected
to fill any such vacancy may be reappointed or re-elected (as the case may be) if still qualified.

11. Any three members of the Board (of whom the President

or Vice-president for the time being shall be one) shall be a quorum, and shall have and may exercise all the powers and authorities which by this Act are conferred on the Board; and all questions at any meeting of the Board shall be decided by a majority of votes of the members present.

12. Every member of the Board before entering upon the duties of his office shall make and subscribe before a Justice of the Peace of New South Wales, and deposit with the Minister, a declaration in the form contained in the Second Schedule hereto.

13. The first election of Municipal Members of the Board shall take place on a day to be appointed by the Governor, and published in the Gazette, when there shall be elected by the respective Mayors and Aldermen of the Boroughs and Municipal Districts mentioned or

referred

referred to in subsection (n) of section five of this Act, and hereinafter termed "Electoral Municipalities," the number of members of the Board in such section particularly mentioned. On the corresponding day and month in every second year thereafter, the like elections shall take place of two members to serve on the Board in lieu of those retiring by rotation; and at all such elections the voting shall be by ballot,

14. For the conduct of elections under this Act there shall be three Returning Officers, who shall be such persons as the Governor may appoint, and shall each have a casting vote only, and there shall also (if necessary) be one or more deputy returning officer or officers. And subject to the provisions of this Act and the regula­ tions to be made thereunder, the places and time for holding all elections shall be appointed by the Governor and notified in the Gazette at least thirty-five days before the date of the holding thereof.

15. All expenses incurred in the conduct of any such election shall, when certified under the hand of the Returning Officers, be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund by warrant under the hand of the Governor addressed to the Colonial Treasurer.
16. Every person shall be eligible for election as a member of the Board if at the time of the holding of any election he shall possess in and for any Electoral Municipality the qualification, and not be within any disqualification respectively prescribed and imposed in respect of the office of Alderman by the " Municipalities Act of 1867," or any Act amending the same.

1 7 . The Returning Officers shall, at least twenty-eight days before

the holding of any election under this Act, give public notice of such election in the Gazette and in one or more newspapers circulating in the district, requiring the names of all candidates and their nominators to be forwarded to them within seven days from the giving of such notice. Any person duly qualified as an elector desirous of nominating a candidate shall, within such last-mentioned time, forward to such Returning Officers, in writing, the christian and surname of such candidate, and the nomination paper shall be signed by the person nominating such candidate. And no person shall be capable of being elected at any such election unless he shall have been nominated in manner abovementioned, and his name as a candidate have been published for at least seven days before such election in some news­ paper circulating in the district.

18. All elections to supply extraordinary vacancies shall be

conducted as nearly as may be in the same manner as in the case of

periodical elections.

19. If any candidate at any election, or if any other person shall, directly or indirectly, by himself or his agent, offer, pay, or give any money, food, drink, or valuable consideration to induce any person to vote, or to abstain from voting at such election, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanour. And the election of any such candidate, shall, upon any conviction for such offence, be null and void.
20. If, at the time appointed for holding any election there shall be no candidates, or a less number of candidates than there are members of the Board to be elected, the Governor may appoint any person .or persons not disqualified under this Act to be a member or members of the Board ; and all such persons so appointed shall hold office as members of the Board as fully and effectually, to all intents and purposes, as if they had been duly elected.

21. No election shall be invalidated by reason of any want or

defect of title of any person by or before whom such election shall have taken place, if such person shall have acted in good faith at such election, nor by reason of any formal error or defect in any publication

under

under this Act, or purporting so to he, nor by reason of any publication being out of time, nor by reason of any other irregularity of a formal nature in the holding of such election.

22. Every Returning Officer shall within twenty-four hours after the official declaration by him of the poll, or, in the event of the election not having been contested within twenty-four hours after the expiration of the time allowed for the nomination of candidates, as the case may
be, certify the result of such election by writing under his hand
addressed to the Governor.

23. No act, matter, or thing done or commenced by the Board,

and no proceedings taken, assessment made, or rate struck by such Board shall be liable to be questioned in any Court by reason only that any one or more of the elected Members of the Board were unduly elected, or that the Board was for any other reason illegally constituted if such act, matter, thing, proceedings, assessment, or rate were done, commenced, made, or struck (as the case may be) by at least a quorum of the said Board.

21. If any member of the Board shall, without the permission

of the Board, be absent from four consecutive meetings of the Board,

or shall become a bankrupt or insolvent within the meaning of any	Act relating to Bankruptcy or Insolvency in force for the time being1,
or he convicted of any offence punishable by penal servitude or imprisonment with or without hard labour, or become insane, his scat shall thereby become vacant.

25. The common seal of the Board shall be kept in the custody

of such member or officer of the Board for the time being as the Board shall determine, and shall not be affixed to any instrument or writing except in the presence of a quorum of the Board ; and the members in whose presence such seal shall be so affixed shall attest by their respective signatures the fact and date of such seal being so affixed. All Courts, Judges, and persons acting judicially shall take judicial notice of the common seal of the Board affixed to any such instrument or writing, and shall presume that such seal Avas properly affixed thereto.

20. (i) Suitable office accommodation for the Board and their professional and clerical stall' shall be provided by the Government. And any rent and other expenditure incurred therefor shall be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

(ir) The Board shall keep full and accurate minutes of all

their proceedings in such manner and form as the Governor may from

time to time direct.

27. I t shall he lawful for the Board, by writing under their common seal, to appoint, subject to the approval of the Minister, a secretary and staff of clerks and so many engineers, surveyors, or inspectors, accountants, collectors, clerks, rangers, and such other officers and servants as they may require for the due administration of this Ac t : Provided however t ha t the first Secretary, Accountant, and Engineer to the Board shall be appointed by the Governor. And such persons so to be appointed shall be paid by annual salaries to be voted by Parliament, and shall hold office during the pleasure of the Board, be subject to the sole control and governance thereof, and (where required by the Board) shall give such security for the perfor­ mance of their several duties as the Board shall prescribe.

28. I t shall be lawful for the Board by writing under their common seal to authorize and appoint any Banking Company, Municipal Council, corporation, person, or persons to collect any rates, charges, or sums of money due to the Board, subject to such bonds, guarantees, and other conditions being given or entered into

as

as the Board may prescribe, and to allow such remuneration by a per­ centage on the amounts collected or otherwise as the Board may think fit and the Minister may approve.

29. All cheques for the payment of salaries, rent, or other office charges shall be signed by the President, or in his absence by the Vice-president of the Board, and be countersigned by the secretary, or in case of his absence from duty, by the officer for the time being acting for him. And all other payments shall be under proper vouchers certified under the hand of the said President or Vice-president, and shall be made in such manner, and subject to such regulations as the Governor may prescribe in that behalf.

30. All moneys payable to the Board under this Act, or any by-laAV made thereunder, shall be collected and received by the Board or their authorized agent as aforesaid, for the use of Her Majesty for and on account of the Consolidated Revenue Fund ; and shall be paid into the Treasury to the credit of accounts to be there kept under the names respectively of the " Hunter District "Water Rates Account" and " the Hunter District Sewerage Rates Account," And the provisions of the Audit Act in force for the time being, and of any Act regulating the collection of public moneys, and the audit of the public accounts, shall apply to the Board, and to all officers acting under their authority and control, and to any such agent as aforesaid.

31. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board shall be

deemed to be in correspondence for all administrative purposes with the Minister, and subject to the control of the Governor and Executive Council.

32. The Minister may disallow any act, matter, or thing done
or commenced by the Board (not being a contract lawfully entered into
by such Board for the execution of any work authorized by this Act).
33. Upon the constitution of the Board pursuant to the pro­
visions of this Act the Minister shall publish in the Gazette the
names of the members of the Board, and upon such publication
all the provisions of the " Municipalities Act of 1807" and of the
" Nuisances Prevention Act, 1875," and of any amending Acts thereof,
and of any other Act inconsistent with this Act, shall, to the extent of
such inconsistency, be repealed. And upon such publication as afore­

said, and by virtue of this Act alone, there shall be transferred to and

vested in the Board absolutely, but on behalf of Her Majesty—

(a)	The property in and control and management of all reservoirs,	dams, engines, buildings, works, mains, pipes, material,
plant, books of account, plans, documents, and papers, and all
other property whatsoever, theretofore vested in or under the control or custody of any Borough or Municipal District within any water District or other Corporation or authority whatsoever, and used with or in any way relating to water supply therein.

(B) All real and personal property of what kind soever, being

within the limits of any municipality or place within any water District, and occupied and used for purposes of water supply, and theretofore vested in or under the control and manage­ ment of any Borough or Municipal District within such District or other authority whatsoever.

(c) All lands reserved or resumed by the Crown for or in con­ nection with the Hunter District Water Supply by or under the authority of any Act of Parliament, together with all waters and watercourses flowing therein or being thereon or thereunder, and all works, reservoirs, mains, pipes, buildings,

plant ,

plant, machinery, stand-pipes, branches, and all material whatsoever used therewith, and all personal property what­ soever, being on any such lands or any other lands what­ soever, and used in connection with such water supply (save and except such service pipes as have been laid at the cost of any owner or occupier of premises), and all the estate or interest, or right, title, or claim of any such Borough or Municipal District or of any other authority in or to any such real or personal property shall be transferred to and be absolutely vested in the Board.

(d)

The whole amount of moneys and securities for money at the credit of or available for the Water Fund according to the books of any such Borough or Municipal District, including therein any moneys set apart by any such Borough or Municipal District as a sinking fund in connection therewith shall, on the said publication, be transferred to and become the property of the Board, to be dealt with pursuant to this Act. And all debentures issued by any such Borough or Municipal District on account of water supply together with all obligations annexed thereto, and the burthen and benefit of all lawful contracts entered into by the said Borough or Municipal District, for or in connection with such water supply, shall, respectively, be a charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and attach to the Board.

34. Whenever the Governor, by proclamation in the

Gazette,

shall declare that the provisions of this section shall come into force in respect of any works in such proclamation mentioned or any portion thereof, which shall have been completed, there shall be trans­ ferred to and be vested in the Board absolutely, but on behalf of her Majesty—

(i)   The property in, and control and management of, all sewers, gutters, drains, and storm water connections, including all gullies within the portions of the sewerage district, affected by such works, together with all buildings, works, material, plant, books of account, documents, and papers, and all other property whatsoever connected therewith; Provided that nothing herein contained shall prejudice or affect the obliga­ tions of any Borough, Municipal District, or Corporation with regard to construction, repair, maintenance, renewal, or clean­

except such as may be the property of the Board, but such sing any gutters, drains, storm water connections, or gulleys,

obligations shall attach to every such Borough, Municipal District, or Corporation, and be a charge upon its municipal rates and revenues as fully and effectually as if this Act had not been passed.

(II) All real and personal property of what kind soever, and acquired or used for the purposes of sewerage within the portion of the sewerage district affected by such works.

(III) All lands acquired, resumed, granted, or dedicated for or in connection with sewerage purposes within the portion of the sewerage district affected by such works, together with all works, buildings, drains, pipes, plant, machinery, and all material whatsoever used therewith, and all personal property whatsoever being on any such lands or on any other lands, and used in connection with sewerage purposes (save and except such service-pipes as have been laid at the cost of any owner or occupier of premises).

35. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board may, from time to time, make, alter, and repeal by-laws—

Generally.

(I) For the conduct of the business of the Board,

(II) For regulating the form of contracts to be entered into with

the Board.

(III) For regulating and prescribing the mode of, and all matters in connection with, the examination of persons applying for licenses or certificates of competency, and the conditions under which licenses or certificates of competency without examination shall be issued.

(iv)  For generally carrying into effect the several provisions, intentions, and objects of this Act,

As to Water Supply.

(v)   For the appointment of a scale of charges for water supplied by measure, and the minimum quantity of water to be charged for where water is so supplied.

(vi)  For determining, making, and levying the rate to be paid in respect of lands and tenements to be supplied with water for domestic purposes otherwise than by measure, or in respect of lands and tenements distant not more than sixty yards from any main constructed by or vested in the Board, although the lands or premises, by or in respect of which the water is used, may be more than one hundred and fifty feet from any water reticulation pipe, or although such lands or premises arc not actually connected with any main : Provided that the valuation of any lands or tenements for the purposes of such water supply shall not exceed in any year the valuation (if any) of such lands or tenements during the same or the previous year by the Municipality in which such lands or tenements are situated. And no such rate shall exceed the amount of five pounds per centum per annum on such valu­ ation : Provided that no charge for the supply of water to any house, tenement, or lands shall, in any case, be less than the sum of ten shillings per annum, and that a minimum charge of ten shillings shall be lawful, although the same may exceed five pounds per centum on the valuation.

(vII) For imposing an extra rate for water supply in places distant more than one hundred yards from the conduit,

(vIII) For determining the time at which any charge for water shall be payable, and whether in advance or otherwise.

(Ix) For regulating the form, material, dimensions, construction, and arrangement of pipes and other works supplying water from the pipes of the Board to adjacent premises—the time of executing and the notices to be given for such works—the superintendence thereof—the making good and replacing ground which may be displaced in the course of such works —and for inspecting all services at reasonable times, whether situate within any buildings or otherwise.

(x)   For regulating the construction, disposition, custody, and inspection of meters.

(xi)  For preventing the waste, or misuse of water supplied by the Board.

(xII) For compelling persons using -water supplied by the Board
to keep their pipes and other appliances in proper repair—

for preventing any alteration of or interference with such

pipes

pipes without notice to the Board—for repairing such pipes and appliances so as to prevent waste of water, and for recovering the cost of such repairs,

(xIII) For preventing the u-;e, directly or indirectly, of water
supplied by the Board by persons unauthorized by the Board.
(xiv) For preventing persons from wilfully or negligently break­
ing, injuring, or interfering with any pipe, lock, cock, valve,
engine, or work belonging to the Board, and from doing any

other wilful act whereby the water supplied by the Board

may be wasted.

(xv) For determining, making, and levying the rate or extra rate or scale of charges to be paid in respect of lands or premises on which any one or more head of horses or cattle shall be kept or maintained, whether such lands or premises art: actually supplied with water from the main, or are otherwise ratable or not.

(xvi) For determining, making, and levying the rate to be paid in respect of lands, tenements, and hereditaments to bo supplied with water, whore such lands, tenements, or here­ ditaments are not included in any valuation by any Borough or Municipal district, or where such lands, tenements, or hereditaments have been for the time being valued by such Borough or Municipal District respectively at a sum less than the true value thereof.
(xvII) For regulating the mode in which water shall be supplied to premises, and whether by meter or not.

(xvIII) For compelling the owner or occupier of any premises to which a meter should, in the opinion of the Board be affixed to provide and affix such meter after a notice from the board so to do.

As to Sewerage.

(xix) For regulating the drainage of roads and streets into

sewers.

(xx) For regulating the dimensions, material, form, construction, and arrangement of, and the maintenance, cleansing, and repairing of the pipes, drains, and other means of communi­ cating with sewers, and of the traps, and apparatus connected therewith.

(XXI) For the carrying out of such works of cleansing and removing and disposing of refuse as the Board is authorised

by this Act to perform or require.

(xxII) For regulating the assessment, form, and collection of rates, charges, and contributions, the periods for the repay­ ment of the costs of works by the persons or rates chargeable with such repayment : Provided that no sewerage rate shall exceed five pounds per centum on the assessed annual value.

( X X I I I ) For regulating the purposes for which any pipes, drains, or sewers shall be used or applied.

(xxiv) For regulating the dimensions, material, form, construc­ tion, and arrangement of, and the maintenance or alteration of, and the inspection by officers of the Board of ventilators, pijics, drains, sewers, and works connected therewith.
(XXV) For regulating the disinfection and cleansing of, or other­

wise dealing with any substance or matter before the
discharge thereof into any drain or sewer.

(xxvI) For regulating the construction in all respects, and the dimensions, situation, and ventilation of closets, urinals, and buildings, and notices to be given respecting the same.

(xxvII)

(xxvII) For prescribing the extent of closet and urinal accommo­ dation to be supplied for dwelling-houses, factories, or any other places of business,

(xxvIII) For providing for such alterations as may be requisite in the opinion of the Board for the more effectually carrying out the provisions of the Act in the case of existing closets, urinals, and buildings.

3G. Every by-law made under this Act when approved by the Governor shall, as soon as convenient, be laid before Parliament. No such by-law shall have any force or effect until it has been published in the .Gazelle. Every such by-law shall, when so published, be binding upon and be observed by all persons, and shall be sufficient to justify all persons acting under the same.

37. Every by-law made under th is Act or any Act amending

t h e same may state a maximum penalty for the breach thereof, not in any case exceeding twenty pounds, and may also state, in cases of continuing offences, a further penalty not exceeding five pounds for each day after notice of the offence shall be given by the Board. And the production of the Gazette containing any such by-law shall, in any action at law or suit in equity, or any other proceeding, and in all Courts, be sufficient evidence that such by-law, as printed in such Gazette, has been duly made and published pursuant to th is Act.

38. The Board shall from time to time license and issue certifi­ cates to persons to perform all work in connection with water supply, drainage, and sewerage, and no person shall be permitted to do or commence any work in connection with the water supply, drainage, or sewerage of or to any house, tenement, building, or land unless so licensed or certificated, or under the immediate control and supervision

of a person so licensed or certificated, and any unlicensed or uncertifi­
cated person not under such control and supervision who shall perform

or commence such work, and any person knowingly employing such

unlicensed or uncertificated person to perform such work except under such control and supervision shall be liable to a penalty of not less than t w e n t y shillings nor more than five pounds for every day during
which such unlicensed or uncertificated person is employed; and the

Board may direct and compel all work done by such unlicensed or uncertificated person to be removed, and may by their officers, ser­ vants, and workmen enter upon any land and remove the same. No

person or authority other than the Board shall issue any such license or certificate as aforesaid, and any such license or certificate issued

by any other authority or person than the Board shall be A'oid; and	any such license or certificate granted by the Board shall be sufficient
authority to the person named therein to do and carry out the Avorks for which the same shall be granted.
39. Subject to the approval of the Minister, t h e Board may make and enter into any contracts and agreements with any person for the purchase of lands or materials, and for engaging to execute, perforin, and construct any works which shall be authorized to be made pursuant to this Ac t ; and such contracts and agreements shall be in the name of the Board, and may be made as follows (that is to say)—

With respect to any contract or agreement which, if made between private persons, wOULD be by law required to be in writing and signed by the parties to be charged therewith, or in

Avriting and under seal, the Board may make such contract

or agreement in writing, and under their common seal, and

in the same manner may vary or discharge the same.

Wi th respect to any contract or agreement which, if made between

private persons, would by law be valid, although made by

parol

parol only, and not reduced into writing, the President of the Board may make such contract or agreement, by parol only without writing, and in the same manner may vary or discharge the same.

And all contracts and agreements made according to the provisions herein contained shall be eifectual in law, and shall be binding upon the said Board and their successors, and all other parties thereto, their heirs, executors, or administrators, as the case may be ; and on any default in the execution of any such contract or agreement, either by the Board or any other party thereto, such actions or suits may be brought either by or against the Board as might be brought if such contract or agreement had been made between private parties.

40. I t shall be lawful for the Governor from time to time by proclamation to define the boundaries of any Water or Sewerage District, for the purpose of supplying with water under this Act any one or more Boroughs or Municipal Districts, or for the sewerage thereof respectively.

41. All persons contracting with the Board, or the President

thereof on behalf of such Board, shall be deemed, for the purposes of the Constitution Act hereinbefore referred to, to be public contractors.

42. Subject to the provisions of this Act it shall be lawful for the Governor to make Regulations for the purpose of carrying out the meaning and intent of this Act in respect of the Elections of Members of the Board—the mode of keeping accounts—the collection and custody of moneys, and the remittance thereof to the Treasury by such Board—for prescribing the forms of all notices under this Act—and for the guidance of all officers in the execution of their duties under this Act.

P A R T I I .

Water Supply.

43. Subject to the provisions of this Act the Board may from time to time in the exercise of any power or authority vested in them for the construction of waterworks for the supply of water within any water District :—

(i)   Enter upon any lands and take levels of the same, and set out such parts thereof as they shall think necessary, and dig,

all earth, stone, mines, minerals, trees, or other things dug or break, and trench the soil of such lands, and remove or use obtained out of or from the same :

(rr) Enter upon, take, and hold such land as they may from time to time deem necessary for the construction, maintenance, repair, or improvement of any of the works authorized or transferred by this Act, or for obtaining or enlarging the supply of water, or for improving the quality thereof :

( in) Sink wells or shafts, and make, maintain, alter, or discon­ tinue reservoirs, waterworks, cisterns, tanks, aqueducts, drains, cuts, sluices, pipes, culverts, engines, and other works, and erect buildings upon the lands, streams, and watercourses authorized to be taken by then) :

(iv)  Divert and impound the water from any streams, and alter the courses of the same, and also take such waters as may be found in, under, or on any lands acquired for the purposes of

this  A c t : 

(v)   Enter upon any Crown or private lands, streets, roads, or thoroughfares ; and lay or place therein or thereon, whether

under

unde r g round or upon the surface thereof, any pipes ; and repair , al ter , c u t oil, extend, or remove the same; and enter

upon any such lands , streets, roads, or thoroughfares for the purpose of repa i r ing any 'watercourses or o ther "works

belonging to them or unde r their c o n t r o l :

Provided always that, in the exercise of any of the powers hereby conferred, t h e Board shall inflict as l i t t l e damage as may b e ; and , in all cases where it can be done, shall provide other water ing-places ,

drains , and channels for the use of adjoining lands in place of a n y t aken away or interrupted by t h e m ; and shall make full compensat ion

to all par t ies interested for all damage sustained by t h e m t h r o u g h the exercise of such powers. But the Board shall not be liable to make
compensat ion in respect of any damage sustained by reason of the t a k i n g or d iver t ing of water, pe rmanen t ly or otherwise, from any

river, s t ream, or water course unless a claim in writing shall be made in respect of such compensat ion within three m o n t h s after the c o m m e n c e m e n t of the exercise of the p o w e r ; and, in every case where the Board cannot agree with the owner or c la imant , the a m o u n t of compensat ion shall be ascer tained and t h e case in other respects

shall be dealt with unde r the provisions hereinafter contained.

41. EVery person who shall wilfully obstruct any person ac t ing

unde r the au tho r i t y of t h e Board in se t t ing out t he line of any works,

or p u l l up or remove any poles or s takes dr iven into the g round for the

purpose of se t t ing ou t the line of such works, or destroy or in jure any such works as aforesaid shall incur a pena l ty no t exceeding five pounds for every such offence.

45.    After a n y s t ream or supply of water shall h a v e been diverted,

impounded , or t a k e n by the Board, every person whO shall un lawful ly ,
or wi thout the au thor i ty of the Board, divert or take any water supply­

ing or flowing into t he s t ream or source of supply so diverted, impounded, or t aken by the Board, or whO shall do any unlawful act whereby any such s t ream or supply of water may be diverted or diminished in quant i ty , or injured in qual i ty , or pur i ty , and whO shall n o t immedia te ly repair the in jury done by him on be ing requi red by
the Board, so as to restore such s t r eam or supply of water to the state in which it was before such unlawful ac t was commit ted , shall forfeit to t h e Board any s u m not exceeding five pounds for every day dur ing

which the said supply of water shall be so diverted, diminished, or injured. And any s u m so forfeited shall be in addit ion to the sum which

such person m a y be adjudged to pay to the Board for any damage

water. And the p a y m e n t of the sum so forfeited shall not affect t h e	which they m a y sustain t h r o u g h t h e d iminut ion of the i r supply of
r igh t of the Board to a n y remedy at law or in equi ty in respect of
the damage so commi t t ed .

40. Nothing in this part shall p reven t the owners and occupiers

of lands through or by which such s t ream shall flow from us ing t he
waters thereof in such m a n n e r and to such extent as they m i g h t have

done before the pass ing of this Act, unless they shall have received

compensat ion in respect of their r i gh t of so us ing such water.

47. If any person un lawfu l ly and maliciously destroy or damage , or attempt to destroy or damage , any reservoir, dam, tank, t unne l , watercourse, sluice, main, p ipe , aqueduct , bridge, roadway,

engine, or any part whatever of the works of the Board, he shall be

gui l ty of felony, and shall be liable to be imprisoned for any term no t

exceeding t en years.

48. The Board may open and break up the soil and pavemen t

of any streets and bridges within the l imits of any water distr ict , and may open and break up any sewers, drains, or tunnels within or

unde r such streets and bridges, and ay down and place within the

same

same limits pipes, conduits, service pipes, and other works and engines, and from time to time repair, alter, or remove the same, and for the purposes aforesaid may remove and use all earth and materials in and under such streets and bridges, and do all other acts which the Board shall from time to time deem necessary for supplying water to the inhabitants of the district included within the said limits.

49. (1) Before the Board shall open or break up any such street, bridge, sewer, drain, or tunnel, they shall give to the persons or Authority under whose control or management the same may be, or to their clerk, surveyor, or other officer, notice in writing of their inten­ tion to Open or break up the same, not less than three clear days before beginning such work, except in cases of emergency arising from defects in any of the pipes or other works, and then as soon as possible alter the commencement of the work, or after the necessity for it shall have arisen.

(II) When the Board shall open or break up the road or pavement of any street or bridge, or any sewer, drain, or tunnel, they shall with all convenient speed complete the work for which the same shall be broken up, and till in the ground, and reinstate and make good the road or pavement or the sewer, drain or tunnel so opened or broken up, and carry away the rubbish occasioned thereby ; and shall at all times whilst any such road or pavement shall be so open or broken up, cause the same to be fenced and guarded, and shall cause light sufficient for the warning of passengers to be set up, and kept there for every night during which such road or pavement shall be continued open or broken up ; and shall, after replacing and making good the road or pavement which shall have been so broken up, keep the same in good repair for six months thereafter.
(III) If the Board open or break up any such street, bridge, sewer, drain, or tunnel without giving such notice;, or without making such temporary or other works, when so required, except in cases in which they are authorized to perform such works without any notice, or if they make any unnecessary delay in completing any such work, or in tilling in the ground, or reinstating and making good the road or pavement, or the sewer, drain, or tunnel so opened or broken up, or in carrying away the rubbish occasioned thereby, or if they neglect to cause the place where such road or pavement has been broken up to be fenced, guarded, and lighted, or neglect to keep the road or pave­ ment in repair for the space of six months next after the same is made good, the Board shall forfeit to the Authority or persons having the

pounds for every such offence, and an additional sum of five pounds	control or management of the street, bridge, sewer, drain, or tunnel, in respect of which such default is made, a sum not exceeding five
for each day during which any such delay as aforesaid shall continue, after they shall have received notice thereof. And any such sums may
be recovered by action of debt in any Court of competent jurisdiction.
50. If any such delay or omission as aforesaid shall take place, the Authority or persons having the control or management of the street, bridge, sewer, drain, or tunnel, in respect of which such delay or omission shall take place, may, upon giving notice in writing to the Board, cause the work so delayed or omitted to be executed ; and the expense of executing the same shall be repaid by the Board to, and may be recovered by, such Authority or persons in the manner pro­ vided in the last preceding section.

51. The Board shall not be liable (in the absence of express

stipulation under any agreement for the supply of water) to any penalty or damages for not supplying such water, if the want of such supply arises from unusual drought or other unavoidable cause or accident; nor shall the Board he compellable to supply "water to any

person whomsoever. 52.

52. The Board may supply any person with water for domestic or other purposes, by measure, at such rates, upon such terms, and subject to such conditions, as may be agreed upon by the Board and the person requiring to be supplied. But "domestic purposes" shall not for the purposes hereof include a supply of water for stables or for manufacturing purposes, or for irrigation water power, fountains, or for any ornamental purpose.

have; liberty, at all reasonable times, "without charge, to inspect any 1 53. (i) Any officer of the Board, authorized in that behalf, shall

valuation, rate, or assessment for any Borough or Municipal District within the District, and to take a copy or make extracts from the same. And any council clerk or other person having the custody of such valuation, rate, or assessment books, refusing or preventing such officer from having access thereto, or taking copies or extracts there­ from, shall incur a penalty for every such offenee not exceeding fifty pounds.

(u) The copy of or extracts from any such valuation, rate, or assessment shall be entered in the Assessment Book of the Board, and such entry shall, when complete, be signed by the President or Vice-president of the Board, and all entries made in such Assessment Book as herein provided upon production thereof by any officer authorised in that behalf by the Board shall, without any other evidence that the requirements of this Act, have been complied with, be received in all Courts as prima facie evidence of the facts therein contained.

54. (i) The Board may let for hire to any consumer of water supplied by measure any meter or instrument for measuring the quantity of water supplied and consumed, and any pipes and apparatus for the conveyance, reception, or storage of water, for such remu­ neration in money as may be agreed upon between the Board and the consumer, which shall be recoverable in the same manner as rates due to the Board for water.
(II) Such meters, instruments, pipes, and apparatus shall not be subject to distress for rent of the premises where the same are used, or to be attached or taken in execution under any process of any Court of Law or Equity, or under, or in pursuance of any seques­ tration or order in bankruptcy, or other legal proceedings against, or affecting the consumer of the water, or the occupier of the premises, or other person in whose possession the meters, pipes, instruments, and apparatus may be.

55. Every person who shall have agreed with the Board for a meter from the Board, provide a meter and keep and maintain the same supply of water by measure shall, at his own expense, unless he hire a

in good working condition, to the satisfaction of such officer as may be

appointed by the Board, and in the event of any repairs being required, notice in writing shall he immediately given by such person to the Board, and a registration of the quantity used shall be taken before such repairs are effected.

56. Every person requiring to remove; or alter the position of any meter shall give six days notice in writing to that effect to the Board, and a registration of the quantity of water used shall be taken before such removal or alteration is made.

57. If any person who, under the provisions in this Act con­ tained, ought to provide any meter, neglect or refuse, after having been required by the Board so to do, to provide such meter, he shall, for every day during which such neglect or refusal continues, forfeit a sum not exceeding two pounds.

58. If any person who has provided any meter as aforesaid fail to give the notice hereinbefore required, of any repairs required for such meter, he shall forfeit a sum not exceeding two pounds.

59. If any person refuse or delay to have such meter properly repaired, and put in correct working order after having been required by any officer of the Board so to do, the Board may shut off the supply of water from the premises of such person, either by cutting the service- pipe, or otherwise, until such meter shall have been properly repaired, and certified by some officer of the Board as being in proper working order.

GO. If any plumber or other person fix or refix any meter upon any premises supplied with water by the Board, without having first obtained a certificate from the Board that the said meter has been examined, and found in correct working order, he shall forfeit a sum not exceeding three pounds.

61. If any person remove or alter the position of, or in any way

interfere with, any meter, without giving such notice as aforesaid, he shall, for each such offence, forfeit a sum not exceeding ten pounds over and above the damage which he may be found liable to pay in any legal proceedings taken by the Board.

62. The officers of the Board may enter any house, building, or lands to, through, or into which, water is supplied by the Board by measure, in order to inspect the meters, instruments, pipes, and apparatus for the measuring, conveyance, reception, or storage of water, or for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of water supplied or consumed ; and may, from time to time, enter any house, building, or lands for the purpose of removing any meter, instrument, pipe, or apparatus, the property of the Board ; and if any person flinders any such officer from entering or making such inspection, or effecting such removal, he shall, for each such offence, be liable to a penalty not exceeding five pounds; but, except with the consent of a justice, this power of entry shall be exercised only between the hours of ten in the forenoon, and four in the afternoon.

63. I n all the pipes to which any hydrant is fixed, the Board shall provide and keep constantly laid on for use, without charge, unless prevented by unusual drought or other unavoidable accident, or during necessary repairs, a sufficient supply for the following pur­ poses ;—(that is to say) for cleansing the sewers and drains, for cleansing and watering the streets, and for supplying any public pumps,baths, and wash-houses that may be established for the use of the inhabitants and paid for out of any municipal rates levied within the District; and such supply shall be provided, in such quantities, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon by the Council of any

Borough or Municipal District to which such water is supplied and
the Board : Provided that no baths or wash-houses shall be entitled

to be supplied with water under the provisions of this section, unless the charges for the use thereof by the inhabitants shall be approved of, and shall not exceed the amounts fixed, by the Board.

64. The Board shall exempt from the payment of water rates, any cathedral, church, chapel, or other building used exclusively for public worship, any building used exclusively as a Sunday school, or for religious teaching only, any public hospital, or any building or premises used exclusively for any purpose of an eleemosynary or charitable character : Provided that the Board may require that in any case in which water is used upon any such building or premises for purposes of business, income, or profit, a meter shall be affixed to such building or premises, and that the whole supply of water to the same shall be passed through such meter, and that the charges prescribed by the by-laws of the Board for water supplied through meter, be those to be paid for any water used by such building or premises in excess of the supply to which the assessment may entitle such building or premises,

65. The Board shall fix proper hydrants in the main and other pipes belonging to them at such convenient distances and at such places as the Board may consider proper and convenient, for the supply of water for extinguishing any lire which may break out within any water District, And the Board shall from time to time, renew and keep in effective order every such hydrant, and shall put up a public notice in some conspicuous place in each street, in which such hydrant is situated, showing its situation. And such notice may be put up on any house or building in such street. And as soon as such hydrant is completed they shall deposit a key thereof in each place within such district where any public fire-engine is kept.

(66). The Board may, at the request and expense of the owner

or occupier of any manufactory or works situated in or near any street or road, in which, or within one hundred yards of which, there shall be a pipe of the Board, place, and maintain in effective order, a hydrant (to be used only for extinguishing fires), or as near as con­ veniently may be to such manufactory or works.
67. The Board shall, at all times, keep charged with water all their pipes to which hydrants are fixed, unless prevented by drought or other unavoidable cause or accident, or during necessary repairs; and shall allow all persons, at all times, to take and use such water for the purpose only of extinguishing fire.
68. After pipes have been laid under the authority of this Act for the supply of water to any street or part thereof, the Board shall cause a notice in the form contained in the Third Schedule hereto, or to the like effect, to be published in four consecutive numbers of the Gazelle, and in one or more newspapers circulating in the district, and the owner or occupier or mortgagee of every house, tenement, or lands referred to in such notice shall, within three weeks from the date of the last publication of such notice in the Gazelle, cause a proper pipe and stop-cocks to be laid so as to convey a supply of water to such house, tenement, or lands. And after fourteen days from such last publication, the owner or occupier or mortgagee of such house, tenement, or lands shall, unless the Board refuse to supply such tenement with water, be liable to pay the rates and charges for such supply, although no such pipe and stop-cocks be laid, or no such water be used in such house, tenement, or lands.

(i)   After the expiration of the time limited in such notice the Board may demand that the owner, or occupier, or mortgagee of any house, tenement, or lands shall lay and construct

with such house, tenement, or lands, to communicate with such pipes, connections, and fittings from and in connection

such main, as the Board may determine ; and such demand may be made by giving the prescribed notice thereof to such owner, or occupier, or mortgagee, or by leaving or exhibiting the same at or on such house, tenement, or lands; and such pipes, connections, and fittings shall be made and attached according to such plans and directions as the Board shall deem proper.

(II) If such pipes, connections, and fittings shall not be laid and made within such time, or according to such plans and directions as the Board shall deem proper and prescribed in such notice, the Board may lay, make, construct, and attach the same ; and for that purpose may enter into or upon the house, tenement, or lands of any such owner, or occupier, or mortgagee, and excavate the ground, and lay, make, construct, and attach all such pipes and fittings in, along, over, or against such house, tenement, or lands to com­ municate with such drain, and may attach and connect such pipes and fittings they may think proper for such purpose.

F ( I I I )

(III) The Board may in any such case recover from every such owner, or occupier, or mortgagee by the like proceedings and with the like remedies as if such expenses were a water rate, the full amount of the expenses of making such liftings, or attaching or connecting such pipes or tubes ; but no pro­ ceedings for this recovery of the said amount shall be taken until default shall have been made in payment thereof for twenty-one days after the prescribed demand by the Board for such payment shall have been given to the owner, or occupier, or mortgagee in default, or shall have been posted on the house, tenement, or lands in respect of which any such pipes or fittings shall have been constructed, attached, or connected.

GO. (i) Any owner or occupier of any dwelling-house, or part of a dwelling-house, within any "Water District who shall wish to have water from the waterworks of the Board brought into his premises, and who shall have paid or tendered to the Board the portion of water rate in respect of such premises by this Act directed to be paid in advance, may open the ground between the pipes of the Board and his premises, having first obtained the consent of the owners and occupiers of such ground, and lay any pipes from such premises to communicate with the pipes of the Board.

(II) Such pipes shall be of a strength and material approved of by some officer of the Board, and every such owner or occupier shall, before he begins to lay any such pipe, give to the Board two days notice of his intention to do so.

70. Any such owner or occupier may open or breakup so much of the pavement, if any, as shall be between any pipe of the Board, and his house, building, or premises, and any sewer or drain therein, for any such purpose as aforesaid, (doing as little damage as may be, and making compensation for any damage done in the execution of any such work): Provided always that every such owner or occupier desiring to break up the pavement of any street, or any sewer or drain therein, shall be subject to the same necessity of giving previous notice, and shall be subject to the same control, restrictions, and obligations in and during the time of breaking up the same, and also reinstating the same, and to the same penalties for any delay in regard thereto, as the Board are subject to under the provisions of this Part.

further satisfaction to be; made to the party injured as they may judge	distress upon his goods, to be returned to him, and also may order such
reasonable ; and they may make such order concerning the costs both of the adjudication and of the appeal as they may think reasonable.
107. If, through any act, neglect or default, on account whereof any person shall have incurred any penalty imposed by this Act, any damage to any conduit, main pipe, or other property of the Board, used in connection therewith, shall have been committed by such person, he shall be liable to make good such damage, as well as to pay such penalty; and the amount of such damages shall, in case of dispute, be determined by the convicting Justices ; and, on non-pay­ ment of such damages on demand, the same shall be levied by distress, and such Justices, or one of them, shall issue their or his warrant accordingly.
168. I t shall be lawful for any officer or servant of the Board, and all persons called by him to his assistance, to seize and detain any person who shall have committed any offence against the provisions of this Act, and whose name and residence shall be unknown to such officer or servant, and convey him, with all convenient dispatch, before

some

some Justice without any warrant or other authority than this Ac t ; and such Justice shall proceed, with all convenient dispatch, to the hearing and determining of the complaint against such offender.

1G9. Any notice required by this Act, or any by-law or regu­ lation made thereunder, to be served on, or given to, any owner or occupier of any building, land, or premises, or on or to any person, may be in writing, or partly in writing, and partly printed, or may be wholly printed. And it shall be sufficient for all purposes of this Act, unless the said Act in any case prescribes a different course to be pur­ sued, if any such notice is sent by post to the owner, by registered letter, addressed to his last known place of abode, or of business, or is served on the owner or occupier of such building, land, or premises, or left with some inmate apparently over the age of fourteen years living at the place of abode of such owner or occupier, or, if there be no occupier, if such notice be posted on some conspicuous part of such building or land. And any notice required to be served or given in respect of any public street, road, or lane may be served on or sent by post as aforesaid to the Council Clerk of the municipality wherein such street, road, or lane, or the portion thereof affected by the notice, is situated.

SCHEDULES.

F I R S T S C H E D U L E .

L I S T OF B O R O U G H S AND M U N I C I P A L D I S T R I C T S .

Boroughs.

Pla t t sbu rg . "Wall send.

Municipal Districts.

Adamstown. N e w Lambton .

Carr ington .	L a m b t o n .
W i c k h a m .	Merewc the r
Hami l ton .	W a r a t a h .

S E C O N D S C H E D U L E .

Declaration of office by Members of the Board.

I DO solemnly and sincerely promise and declare tha t , to t he bes t of my skill and abil i ty,
I will faithfully, impart ial ly , and t r u l y execute t he office and	perform the dut ies of a

M e m b e r (or of P res iden t or Vice-pres ident ) of t he H u n t e r D i s t r i c t Board of "Water

Supply and Sewerage.

(Signed) A . B .

T H I R D	S C H E D U L E .
^Notice to lay Service	Pipes.

N O T I C E to t h e owner, occupier, or mor tgagee (as the case may be) of t e n e m e n t s and

premises in s t reet and the pr ivate s t ree ts , lanes, courts , and

alleys opening the reun to .

T H E main pipe in t he said s t ree t having been laid down t h e owner, occupier, or
mor tgagee (as the case may be) of all t e n e m e n t s and premises s i tuated as above a re hereby requi red on or before t he day of nex t to cause a p roper pipe and stop-cocks to be laid so as to supply wate r from the main pipe to

such t e n e m e n t s and premises .

A . B .

Inspec to r	to t he H u n t e r Dis t r ic t Board of W a t e r	Supply and	Sewerage.
F O U R T H

FOURTH SCHEDULE.

Warrant of Distress.

N E W Soi/rn WALES ) , , , ,

w

*? To constable at

TO WIT. )

WHEREAS of in New South AYrales

lias boon rated at the sum of per annum for the water rate [or charged

or isjiable to pay the sum of due to the Hunter District Board of Water Supply] as the occupier [or owner] of a certain house or tenement situate in

street in and now occupied by ;

and whereas the sum of being due and payable on account of the[said

late charge or sum [as the case may be] on the day of ,

in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and , and was duly

demanded by the collector of rates for , on the

day of in the year of the said

who has not yet paid the same. These are therefore to require and authorize you forth- with to levy the said sum of together with the costs of these presents by distress and sale of the goods found by you in the said building or tenement according to law, and that you certify to me on the day of

what you shall do by virtue of this warrant.

Given under my hand and seal this day of

in the year of our Lord ono thousand eight

hundred and

(L.S.)

President [or A ice-president] of the

Hunter District Board of Water Supply and Sewerage.