AGY-4842 | Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Management of the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board

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The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Management of the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board was established by Letters Patent on 4 February 1897.(1) The Commission was to make a full and diligent inquiry into the management of the Board, incorporated under the provisions of the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Act of 1880, and to report whether, and if so by what means, that Department can be placed on a more efficient and economical basis.(2) The Commission consisted of the following members: Joseph Barling, Chairman of the Public Service Board and Associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers; Timothy Augustine Coghlan (who left the colony shortly after the Commission commenced and was only present for the first sitting); and George Alexander Wilson. On 22 May 1897, James Powell, Deputy Member of the Public Service Board, was appointed as an additional Commissioner.(3) The Commission’s three-month period was extended twice due to interruptions and the Commission’s Report was now to be submitted by 4 November 1897. The Commission held twenty-one meetings with the first being held on 15 March 1897 and examined twelve witnesses.(4) The Commission recommended the following:
1) the number of members of the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board reduced from seven to three consisting of a President appointed by the Governor-in-Council, one member elected by the City Council, and one by the suburban Municipal Councils jointly;
2) the position of President be made permanent, subject to good behaviour, with a salary of £1000;
3) the fees payable to the other Board members be at the rate of £3 3s per sitting, the total amount payable to any one member during the year being limited to £150;
4) the annual salaries of the Secretary and Assessor be raised to £500 and £450 respectively;
5) the position of the Examiner of Accounts and Auditor be made an independent one, subject only to the control of the Board, and that his salary be increased to £450.
6) the practice of the Board in allowing a discount of £5 per centum on account of the prompt payment of rates be discontinued;
7) the Board be reimbursed for the cost of those water services which are now rendered free;
8) steps be taken as soon as possible to furnish the Board with a correct statement of its capital debt.(5) The Commission’s Report was submitted to the Governor on 14 October 1897.(6) ENDNOTES
1. Report of The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Management of the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board, piii, Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, 1897, vol.5, p75.
2. ibid., p.v.
3. ibid., p.vi.
4. ibid., p.v.
5. ibid., p.xviii.
6. loc. cit.