Cost of the London South Waterworks Scheme.
To the Editor of the ADVERTISER:
Ladies and gentlemen of London South, —Please take your pencil in hand and figure out for yourselves on your own property the cost of joining the city, or remaining out under the antis’ rule. Your rate now is 13 mills on the dollar, to which add Mr. Anderson’s estimate of 5 mills for use of hydrants only; then add 2 mills or more to supply hose, wagon, horses, etc., and to keep same in repair, with someone to look after them (and not including electric fire alarm system). The antis also propose to light up the village with electric light, which will cost 2 mills more, making a total of 9 mills, providing it does not cost a cent extra to collect them, and a grand total of 22 mills on the dollar of your present assessment. For instance, take an average house now assessed for $600 and figure it out, under the anti scheme at 22 mills, it will come to $13 20; take the same lot under amalgamation, and increase the assessment by 50 per cent.—to $900, at 13 6-10 mills on the dollar, and it comes to $12 24, being 96; cents in favor of the city terms. Now, the above is the lowest cost by remaining as you are and the highest it can be by joining the city. Which should any reasonable man accept? You will never have as good terms offered again.
In addition to saving money you will have, a complete water system on every inhabited street, a complete fire system, including the electric alarm, a complete electric light system, equal to the city; the privilege of putting down sewers where required (the Township Council refuse to put down anymore), police protection, etc. You will not be required to put your hand in your pocket in addition to your taxes when you want a new sidewalk. Neither will you have to assume one-half the expense of the three bridges, as you will have to do if you become incorporated. There are many other advantages in amalgamation that space will not permit my mentioning now. Tenants and freeholders will have an opportunity of expressing their opinion in favor of amalgamation on Monday by voting for Deputy Reeve Pritchett, his opponent having only one plank in his platform, and that is anti-amalgamation.
Yours truly, RATEPAYER.
Jan. 2, 1890.
The original letter from The Londoner Advertiser:
