SEWERAGE CONNECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 125, 17 November 1911, Page 6

SEWERAGE CONNECTIONS.

ACTION AT THE POLICE COUDT. | A sitting of the Police Court was held yesterday morning before Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert, 8.M., when several property owners were charged with failing to connect with the sewers. Bartholomew L. O'Brien was the first one called, and he pleaded not guilty to the charge. Benjamin Tippins, borough inspector, deposed that 'he served defendant with notice to connect with the sewers on September 25, and at the time the notice expired, October 13, the connection had not been made. In reply to defendant, witness said that he had inspected the property two days after the notice expired. The defendant deposed ~that on receipt of notice he let the contract, and as the contractor had not started he interviewed him a few days later, and wa» told that the weather was unfavorable, and, moreover, that he had not paid the £8 necessary for the borough to put the pipes in up to his fence. This was the first lie knew about the £3 having to be paid in advance. He at once went and paid the money. His contract was delayed by bad weather, and also by the fact that the plumbers were so busy. In reply to the Magistrate, ke said the work"waS> c&mp'fete'd b^- I N*veii¥ber-14, and, in reply to Mr. Tippins, he said the contract was let on October 5.

The Magistrate said that, taking into consideratio'n the" fact' that, the connection was now completed, he would reduce the fine to as, with 7s .costs.

Wm. Beadle, who did not appear, was charged with a similar offence in regard to premises in Gill street. He was convicted and fined 10s, with 7s costs. The Magistrate remarked that sewerage was a most important matter, and most be attended to.

•las. Bruce pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to connect his building in Mt. Edgecumb street with the sewer. He raised an objection that the notice calling on him to consider was issued to G. Bruce. His Worship, however, overruled this objection. Benjamin Tippins gave formal evidence that he had served the notice on defendant on September 29. Defendant gave evidence that as soon as he received the notice he proceeded to get prices and Jet the job. He accepted a tender on October 23. The weather bad been against the work, and the plumbers had been very busy. He never thought they would be set upon for a day or two like that. He had done his best to have the connection made. A few hours' work now would finish it.

T. W. Francis, licensed plumber, deposed that his tender was accepted on October 24. It was impossible to do all the work at once. He had work enough to keep forty or fifty plumbers going for a month, and after that they would have nothing to do. This job had to wait its turn It would be finished to-morrow. Inspector Tippins was proceeding to cross-examine witness on some remark made years ago, but His Worship intervened. Defendant remarked that the whole town was complaining of being "jumped on" over the matter. The Magistrate replied that this was a court of law, where they meted out justice. Failure to conneet with the sewers was a serious matter,, and might cause a terrible pestilence, involving death. Defendant remarked that the fact that the Council were withdrawing some oases was an acknowledgment that it was not a just action. ■lnspector Tippins said defendant -had boon given the same opportunity of withdrawal, providing ss, costs of the prosecution, were paid, but he declined to accept it. A 'line of 5s with 7s costs was imposed. Rosina Wood, wlio pleaded guilty to a charge of the same nature, was similarly dealt with. A number of other cases were withdrawn.