THE BOROUGH SCAVENGER’S FEES & COUNCILLORS’ RATES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 261, 5 February 1881, Page 2

THE BOROUGH SCAVENGER’S FEES & COUNCILLORS’ RATES.

To the Editor. Sir —On reading Coumgjitjr' Harrison’s letter I was astomirtlfff'nT of the statements made by him. In the first place, Mr. Harrison says he pays 28a. per annum to the scavenger, and only 355. as rates. Now, sir, 28s. may be a large amount to pay for scavenging, considering that Mr. Harrison occupies two premises—one of which is an auction yard, where hundreds of people congregate at least once a week—but how about the rates ? Surely the valuator must have dealt very leniently with him. Mr. Harrison says something about a system of cleansing, draining, Ac., under the direct supervision of the Council. I don’t know what be means by drainage. I thought the outfall was provided for by selling or pawning the iron pipes. As to making absentees or owners of unoccupied sections pay a scavenger, it appears to me about as reasonable to compel them to pay a portion of their neighbors’ butchers’ bills. From where lam writing I can look on about ten unoccupied sections tbat certainly never require the services of a scavenger. There may be a few stray cows grazing on them, but no water or drains near. Mr. Harrison, in conclusion, proposes to do for 2d. what now costs Bd. If he can get work performed cheaper by employing men at clay labor than by letting it for contract, it is contrary to the experience of older men. If, however, he can get it done for 2d. on the plan he proposes, I would still advise him to have the work tendered for, when probably someone may do it for Id. As to the direct supervision, I suppose be intends to trot round behind the cart with a lantern. I think, sir, that if Mr. Harrison would exert himself to get a bye-law passed that could be enforced, and appoint an inspector who was not afraid to enter the premises, even of a councillor, he would be doing better service than by trying to compel men who live in other parts of the colony to pay for carting our refuse. —I am, &c. , Slow Coach.