THE SEWER SYSTEM!

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9543, 23 June 1921, Page 4

THE SEWER SYSTEM!

CONNECTIONS TO HOUSES.

COST TO HOUSEHOLDERS

.Reports have been current m Ashburton that estimates above what appeared to be a fair price for house sewerage connections had recently been made by local plumbers to certain Ashburton householders. With a view to ascertaining the correctness or otherwise of these reports, a "Guardian" reporter this morning waited upon Mr J?. W. Watt, chairman of the Special Drainage Committee, and asked him if he would make a public -statement on these matters.

Mi- Watt stated that m the ordinary course of events and without special reference to this matter of charges for house connection, a conference between his committee and local plumbers had taken place on Monday night. There was a- full attendance of the committee and of the tradesmen interested together with Mr F. J. Williams, drainage engineer, and Mr E. N. Johnson, Health Inspector. As chairman of the committee, Mr Watt had pointed out to the conference that his committee, while particularly anxious to haye a thoroughly efficient and satisfactory sanitary sys^ tern desired at the same time tnat householders should have every consideration extended to them m makine house connections. Mr Watt discussed with the meeting the requirements regarding the interior and exterior arrangements m regard to this matter. Mr Watt further stated that an important reason for the conference was to confer with the plumbers regarding, the matter of fixing a scale of oharges for house connections. He waited' the tradesmen to understand that whileno attempt would be made to deprive them of a fail*, profit on their work and material, it should be clearly understood that the Drainage Committee would not allow unreasonable chargea to be made.

After discussion the conference dispersed, Mr Watt requesting the plumbers to take the matter of a- price scale into consideration and meet the Drainage Committee again at an early date with some proposal regarding the question of charges. He believed the plumbers would not find* it hard to frame such a scale as there were certain features common to every drain and house connection.