In the course of the year it became very apparent, owing to the de-Dressed conditions then existing, that registered owners of land in. Sbanghal were experiencing great difficulty in the collection of Municipal Land Tox. Tt was agreed that a subcommittee should be formed to approach the Shanghai Municipal Council to discuss ways and means of meeting the situation. The Couneit took a very reasonable view of the position and offered its assistance in every way possible but it must be realized that the Council will not ive Its assistance unless registered Owners frst carry out their obliga. tions to the best of their ability. I must add here that the French Muntcipal Council has always been ready {to give similar assistance, Discussions have taken place between your committee and the Shanghai Waterworks Ca. regarding the burden caused to owners of Chinese house property by being called upon to pay more for water urder the present meter than under the old system based on rentals.
While your committee agree with the principle of metering to minimize waste, they feel that the onus of waste prevention lies with the tenant rather than the property owner. Owing to the considerable deposit required from property owners to cover the initial cost of an Individual meter for each tenancy, the Shanghai Waterworks Ca, has been approached with g view to substituting a monthly charge or meter rent instead of this cash deposit; understand: that the—company" has new taken up this matter with the Shanghai Municipal Council,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.