WATER AND DRAINAGE CONNECTIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2565, 10 April 1923, Page 2

WATER AND DRAINAGE CONNECTIONS.

EMPLOYING UNREGISTERED PLUMBERS. DEPUTATION WAITS ON COUNCIL. At last night’s Borough Council meeting a deputation consisting of registered plumbers and others interested in the laying of water and sewerage connections waited upon the Council re the by-law dealing with thrSThatter. Mi- Peter Robinson, an unregistered plumber, said that owing to the present by-law he was precluded from undertaking any work although competent to carry it out. The Mayor asked if it was not possible for him to obtain a certificate. In reply he said he could not pass the theoretical test. Mi- Hunt suggested that the water inspector be allowed to undertake the work, otherwise he advocated a modification vof the by-law. As it stood at present only licensed plum- . hers could undertake the work, which meant that only two local men were available. He could see no reason why an unlicensed man could not lay water services under the supervision of a licensed man. He agreed that the sewerage connections should be done by a licensed plumber. Mr Potts, licensed plumber, said in Wellington no licensed man could lay on water, but an unlicensed assistant could be employed to assist. During the war, however, owing to the shortage of registered men, unlicensed men did the work. Now the Wellington by-laws were imposed and an unlicensed man was not allowed to do the work. Many unregistered men were excellent practical men and it was only through theory that they were unable to obtain their certificates. It would take a long time to complete the Foxton sei-vices with only two registered men. The'Mayor said that £30,000 had been spent on the water and drainage scheme and £1,600 per annum in interest and so far only 28 properties were benefit-ting on such expenditure. At the present rate the work would drag on for years. As many men as possible should be employed to expedite the work. They could not afford to pay £1,600 per year for nothing, otherwise the by-law would have to be amended, with provision for safe-guarding against insanitary work. Air McColl, registered plumber, said at present the by-laws had to be abided by until they were amended. He was prepared to employ unregistered men under his person- | al supervision. There were several practical men in the town capable of doing the work, Cr. Martin said from what lie could gather the whole thing was a personal matter. It appeared that there were only two men in New Zealand' capable of doing the work.

Mr McColl said that he believed that Cr. Martin had installed his water service himself. He was not a registered plumber. Cr. Martin: How do you know that I have installed my own water service? Mr McColl: Because you hung round my shop and asked me for any odd ends of pipes, which I gave you. Cr. Martin said that it appeared that one or two men wanted/- 0 keep all the work to themselves. Evidently the Council had a new water inspector. > Air McColl: That’s right, have a good blow, it will be your last chance. Cr. Coley said that mechanical skill was all that was required in water connections, more skill, however, was required in sanitary work. Air AlcColl said he was not opposed to the by-law personally, but in the circumstances it should be amended. The Mayor said that some rnodilication was necessary so that the work can be carried out under thp supervision of a’ registered plumber. Mr Potts said the Health Officer was agreeable to unlicensed men being employed under the supervision of a licensed plumber. After further discussion the bylaw was amended to allow the employment of an employee of a registered plumber and that the water inspector lie authorised to lay water services only, where required, at a charge of 2/6 per hour. Cr. Alarlin opposed the motion.