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129
ordinary and usual domestic or household or family supplies
shall not be used for purposes which are really and in fact
not domestic or family, but business or trade, merely because
they are used in a dwelling house.
The Company print at the foot of their demand notes
the following words:— "The charge for Baths is 10s. each,"
and then claim payment for all fixed baths. It however
appears to me that if the true construction of the Section
gives them a right to charge for baths, it gives them a right
to charge for all baths, and not merely for baths which are
fixed. They print Sections 37 and 39, and ignore the
agreement Section (38) altogether. If they have a right to
charge ten shillings, they have a right to charge twice ten, or
ten times ten shillings. That is to say, if this construction
is true, they have the right to charge prohibitory rates for
baths, as well as for horses, cattle, washing carriages, and
for trade and business supplies.
If the construction adopted by the Lambeth Company
is the true one, the Act should be at once repealed. If this
construction is wrong, then illegal rates have been enforced
for a considerable time for baths and for horses and
carriages in private use.
I am, Dear Sirs,
Yours very faithfully,
ARCHIBALD E. DOBBS.
The Vestry also passed the following resolution:—
"That this Vestry is of opinion that any Ratepayer who
is improperly dealt with by any of the Water