Page:Volume 1 1828.pdf/93

From Historical Hastings
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was to be erected within the limits of the act except by the order of the Commissioners. They were also empowered to construct works for supplying the town with water, and to make use of the stream called the Bourne and contributaries, but to make and maintain two places at or near the Bourne for a gratuitous supply to the poor. The water-rent to be paid by private consumers was 6s per year on houses pack-rented at ten pounds, and above that rent at 9s in the £., but where used for other than domestic purposes, at such rents s might be agreed upon. Water rents to be payable in advance, but if after the tender of a half-years' rent, the Commissioners neglect to supply water to a consumer for the space of 21 days after a proper request in writing, the would have to allow the would-be consumer treble the amount of rent, and 20s. a day so long as they neglected or refused the supply. Rents, however, were to be payable even if the supply ran short in times of scarcity or when repairs were necessary so long as the stoppages did not exceed 7 days at any one time or 14 days in one half year. The Commissioners, if resolved upon at a special meeting, might let the rents for three years to anyone willing to farm the same. Penalties were to be imposed for fouling the water or using it in a fraudulent manner; but one person might supply water to another in case of fire or when pipes and taps were out of order. The mains were to be kept full and fire-plugs made in the streets. The Waterworks as well as the Market to be exempted from parochial rates. Then follows a number of enactments respecting the purchase of land as premises, mortgages, etc. the legal jargon of which is extremely tedious to read and far to difficult to compress into a few sentences. But in order to raise money for carrying the several purposes of the Act into execution it was to be lawful for the Commissioners once a year, or oftener, if necessary, to make one or more equal rates on the occupiers of all houses, shops, lands &c. (except St. Mary's Chapel, which was exempted by law) to the extent of not more than 8d in the £ for any one year on houses, shops, warehouses &c., and 4d in the £ on agricultural property. In cases of poverty such rates might be excused. As an equitable means of rating, each parish was to raise such sums as were necessary for defraying current expenses of the year, and its proportion for carrying the Act into execution and for the payment of any moneys to be borrowed by virtue of the said Act, as well as for the payment of the previous debt of £5,300. The Commissioners were also authorised to receive a duty not exceeding of 3s. per chaldron (36 bushels or 25½cwt.) on imported coal, culm or coke and no vessel to leave the port until such duty be paid, irrespective of any other dues or charges. The same rate of duty to be demanded for coal -