BUSINESS AREA SANITATION

Taupo Times, Volume 11, Issue 75, 24 June 1953, Page 5

BUSINESS AREA SANITATION

Septic Tank Drainage Required Within Six Months Following a conference between the Works Committee of the Taupo Town and Mr Wefeb, ihspector, Health Department, Rotorua, held at Taupo last week, the Works Committee recommended to the feonthly lueeting of the Roard, that notice should be given to owners that all business premises in the business and light service industrial areas must be pr'ovided with septic tank drainage within six months. The Committeee reported that they agreed with Mr Webb's view that a stage had been reached, in the development of the area, when the sanitary arrangements hitherto in use were inadequate from the point of view of public health. The area covered comprises the blocks lying between Tongariro and Ruapehu Streets, bounded on the north ! by Paora Hape Street, and on the south by Roberts Street, together with some areas on the east of Rua- ' pehu Street. The Board passed a ! resolution embodying the r'ecommendation of the Works Committee. Delicatessen Licences Speaking on the resolution, Mr C. Vedder raised the question of licences for delicatessens, or shops selling unwrapped or perishable foodstuffs. He stated that Morris's Service Store, Rifle Range Road, the premises which are owned by himself, had had its licence with-held by the Board at the request of Mr Webb, Health Department inspector. Mr Webb had notified him in September that he had to instal a septic tank, two flush lavatories, a hand-basin and a sink. Under the Board's by-laws this would also necessitate the provision of water tanks of 1500 gallons total capacity to service the flush lavatories. All the shops in the business area requiring similar licences had had them granted, although most of them had no santitary conveniences of the type he was asked to furnish. He had arranged foi' a tradesman to instal the the septic tank, and cement and materials were ready, but the tradesman had so far not been able to commence the job. He considered it most unfair that his premises should not be Hcensed, while in the business area, where there was a congestion, licences should be granted and owners allowed six months to instal amenities which he was asked to provide at once. Commitfee s View Challenged Mr J. D. Swan said that there was no idea of penalisirig Mr Vedder, and that the recommendation of the Works Committee had really no connection with the matter of the licence for Mr Vedder's premises. The recommendation, if adopted, however, would make it necessary for other similar premises in the business area to comply with the same lequirements as Mr Vedder. He understood that the idea of allowing the six months was foecause many of the business area premises were olcler, and amenities mentioned by Mr Vedder as required in his case were required, he understood, because Mr Vedder's premises were comparatively new, and it was considered that new buildings should have the requisite amenities when built. Mr Vedder challenged this view, and stated that that was not the case. He said that there were business premises in the main street and business area that had been built mueh later than Morris Service Store premises, and which had not the amenities he was fesked for by the inspector to supply. Why. should licences have been granted to these premises and not to * his ? He considered it was unjust. There should be the same. eonditions for one and all. Mr Swan said that if Mr Vedder -s statement were correct it would certainly appear that he "had something." Mr Vedder stated that his statement was quite correct. The resolution was then carried, Mr Vedder dis&enting.