DELIBERATE WASTE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 15, 11 February 1942, Page 5

DELIBERATE WASTE

WATER SUPPLY PROBLEM

STRICT MEASU RE'S TO BE TAKEN

"You report all cases and we will deal with them," remarked' His Worship the Mayor on Mon■day nigh't when the Borough) Inspector reported! that some residents were deliberately wasting water, and in a general dist•cussion 1 councillors deplored the fact that some residents were "water sneakers" who jeopardised the safety of all consumers by the illegal use of hoses. The discussion arose when the following report was- made bj. the in-* spector: — "For the best part of the month I have been engaged on a house to house inspection of water taps. During this inspection I have found • quite a number of leaking taps. I also had to warn several about hoses left running. I would mention here' that so far I have not caught the.same person more than once. I-have found hose taps in wash hoxises and hoses tied on to ordinary taps, in some cases hoses are put through windows. I would like to ask the Council the position regarding these taps." Following the decision to deal Very firmly with offenders the discussion continued when a letter from Mr C. W. Hills was received complaining* about the manner in Which h> was approached by the inspector. The writer stated that he had a witness who would support him in his complaintInspector Penny denied using an J offensive manner stating that to save himself a long walk to enter the house he had called out to the user of the hose from the fence. "1 know his witness too," he said, "I have caught him using his hose also. The task is very difficult, as often [ catch a man wasting water, and later by doubling back find him still doing so." The electrical -ingineeiy Mr F. W. Lysaght, stated that Whakatane was a bad place for the control of water and the inspector had a difficult task. The security of the town was jeopardised when people wasted water and deliberately avoided the regulations. Some people tried and <lid get away with breaches of the regulations, and if they were perrmitted to do so, it Avas not, fair to :ihe other residents.

Cr J. Creeke expressed confidence "in the inspector. He added that when dealing with the public it "would be found that some could be Approached, while others took offence.. "It just depends on their liv•er," he said. Cr A. J. Canning said the 1 inspector had his sympathy. His task was a difficult one and he was doing good work if he found some people misusing hoses. It was not fair that some paid to have a garden tap while others put "sneakers" on indoor taps. "The inspector has a 'rotten' job," remarked Cr C. G. Caisley when expressing his opinion that the inspector's manner was not Cr Canning: "When a man is in the wrong he docs not like being 'tokl about it." "Anyone dealing with the public has a 'rotten' job," commented Cr T. J. Cummings. Cr C. W. Good stated that some people did not know the inspector's status and this should be made quite clear. The inspector again related some of the difficulties of his job and said that he knew that water was being deliberately wasted by people who knew they were doing Avrong. "The Council is going to enforce the restrictions and when you find any breaches then you report the person responsible immediately," said His Worship in speaking to the inspector. "Hand in their names to "the town clerk and do nc,t bother about giving any warning to people -of that class. We will make examples of them."