GARBAGE COLLECTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 67, 27 April 1943, Page 5

GARBAGE COLLECTION

QUESTION AND ANSWER

AS BUSINESSMEN SEE! Uf

Our representative interviewed Mr G. F. Thomas and Mr S. Whitworth, the two members of the recent deputation to the Borough Council relative to the question of garbage collection and asked it' they would discuss the report of the Council meetings as it appeared in Friday's 'Beacon.' Below are the points raised:— Our representative asked: "What do you think of the scheme as it now stands.?'' Ans: '"Only what was to be expected This matter has been before the Borough Council for three years now and gets regularly turned down. Even now the position does not seem tu be clear. What this Borough needsi and .should have had years ago is wcfc.kly collection of garbage •as distinct from the present quarterly collection of non-combustible matter. Three months ago wo waited on the Borough Council and stated our case. The 'Beacon' reports show just how l'ar they have got in that time. They refer the Works Committee—Works Committee raise the question of procuring tins—quotations are submitted by Cutlers Hardware—Works. Committee rpfer it back to the Council who specify a heavier tin—rfurthcr quotations arc submitted to Council specifications—referred back to Works Committee who then bring • down two proposals, one from the sanitary contractor and one from the Borough Foreman. We consider this a waste of time, over a perfectly straightforward matter." -The Borough Alternative Q: "This is rather a sweeping statement, how docs it fit in with the report." Answer: "The Works Committee 'reports that the sanitary contractor is prepared to do the job at a figure but they *lo not state whether or not he provides- his own vehicle. This is really immaterial as the offer is turned down in any case, and a scheme put forward by the Borough Foreman is discussed. On the facc of it the Foreman's scheme to cost a lot more and entails purchasing another truck. What for? Surely there are Borough trucks which could lie converted at small cost to do the job, at least for dura-' tion. As. for labour, this must surely be available. The question of priority enters into this. The health of the people is of paramount importance and should be the first consideration of our City Fathers. Garbage collection to help to reduce the. lly menace and reduce the incidence of summer sickness so- jjrevalcnt last year, to say nothing of rats, is surely of primary importance;. Public Health Q : "What of the Medical OfTiccr of Health's remarks." Answer: "We should really like ,to know just what, he actually does think of a Borough like Whakatane not having a garbage collection, or for that matter, a sewerage scheme. If the Council does not. move in this matter, we should be. surprised if the Health Officer does not .lay down a scheme of his; own which might cost conceivably more than the Council estimate at the present time, and make his instructions compulsory." Q: "What about garbage tins. Mr Thomas, as you are an interested party in this matter are you prepared to answer one or two questions. Have you submitted quotations to the Borough Council.'' "Yes." Containers Available "Do your specifications meet all the requirements laid down." "Yes, exactly as they specified." "What were the dates: of your quotations." "'JO'th February * and 12th March." "Are these tins still procurable." \ cs, definitely. At the moment we can supply 500 tins at the. wholesale price as first quoted. As the war situation makes the supply -of this commodity # so uncertain, we cannot take any responsibility for further delay on the Council's part. Under those circumstances they alone will be responsible. OurVholesale price to the Council Avas conditional upon a bulk order from hem the Council to be responsible ' 'or the handling of same." °, ne mpmb(>r oft.he Council ate-, that these cannot now be secured." thp nSW i Cr: " Let tI,C Cou,>cil Place it order and sec what happens."

Q: "What do you think about taking a poll?'' Poll Would Be Welcomed 1 Answer: "Excellent. By all means, take a poll of All householders and* see what the result will be. We are=~ of the opinion that certain diehards*. would get. a shock at the result.. They would soon find out whether or. not it *is. an essential service, and we feel sure that the .public would express their views iii no un-. certain manner as they have ex-, pressed tliem to us on numerous, occasions lately." Q: "What do you think of the. lastparagraph of the. report." . Answer; "We See that the lm.tte.ris again in the hands of the Works* Committee. What for? To bwy more** time we presume. We see quite afc lot -i.il J he. daily press ol pexrple .bliy,—* ing time for one purpose or another. What other strategic opera-*, tion lias the Council in that they find it necessary ty, employ these delaying tactics?' 1