FOOTPATH SWEEPING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5203, 14 November 1927, Page 2

FOOTPATH SWEEPING.

BY-LAW TO BE ENFORCED. BOROUGH COUNCIL’S DECISION. Although contrary to by-laws, many local shopkeepers have; made a practice of sweeping the footpaths fronting their businesses and shaking dust and germ-laden mats between the hours of 8 and 9 o’clock in the morning. The matter was introduced at Thursday night’s meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council by the receipt of a letter from the Paeroa District High School Committee drawing attention to the practice during the time a large number of children were passing along the streets on their way to school. The meeting with germs and dust, the committee contended, was not in the best, interests of the health of the children, especially when the practice could be stopped by enforcing the by-law. Cr. E. Edwards said he did not think the sohpkeepers created as much nuisance as was suggested by the letter.

In the opinion of Cr. J. W. Silcock, the matter was one which the health inspector might well look into. It would hardly be possible to detail one of the council’s employees to go round warning the shopkeepers.

The Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) agreed with the last speaker, but considered that some effort should .be made to carry out the by-laws, apd after a warning offenders would be prosecuted.

It was stated by Cr. Flatt that the sweeping of footpaths at, that time was a custom which had prevailed since Paeroa. was Paeroa. He did not think any great nuisance was caused. However, there were new shopkeepers in the borough, and probably attention should be drawn to the by-law. It was thought by Cr. H. J. Hare that shops should be swept from the front through to the back of the premises, and not have the dust swept out the front and across the footpath. Cr. Flatt said he did not think the dirt from many shops was swept out over the footpath.

This remark caused Cr. Turner to state that he had frequently seen it done, and the dirt and rubbish piled up in the gutter. Continuing, Cr. Hare said that the shaking of mats on the footpath was an objectionable habit. He had seen it done frequently, and, in fact, one morning not long ago a dust-laden mat had been shaken practically in his face as he passed. It was resolved that after Monday the by-law would be enforced, the owners of main street premises to be notified to that effect.

Cr. Flatt said he agreed with the resolution, and pointed out that the council had no wish to antagonise shopkeepers.

We have received rom King’s College, Auckland, a. copy of their own publication, entitled “King’s Collegian.” This publication, although particularly appealing to old King s boys, contains a lot of information about the doings of the college that makes interesting reading.

In the light of the accepted adage that coming events cast their shadows before, can one interpret a present sign of the times in the cricketing world of Ne,w Plymouth as the shade of a future lady Taranaki representative player? (asks the “News”). Close upon the heels of the granting of Pukekura Park sports ground for the purposes of cricket to the, girls attending the Technical College comes the announcement that a, practice wicket is to be l aid down out at the southern end of the ground for the use of the girls.