SWEETENING THE CITY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 71, 26 March 1910, Page 9

SWEETENING THE CITY.

THE BUSY INSPECTORS. Every week-day is full of busy houri for the four uniformed inspectors who [ are gazing intently at Wellington people's premises, and carefully noting the state ' of the yard, tho sink fittings, and other incidentals. Since they began their work early in this year they have examined about 4090 houses in Newtown and the city proper, and they have yeti 9000 or 10,000 to do to complete the list. So far, says Mr. Doyle, chief of the ftaff, no "appalling nuisances" have been: observed. The chief thing noticed is tho defective fitting. Leaky taps, bad joints, and other defects have been aimndantly detectedj and prompt measures have been taken to secure repairs. Ail the houses visited are nicely indexed at the Towft Hall. Each house has a card to itself, with all necessary information. The . in&peotsrs have) not encountered any hostility. Mr. Doyle states that the city has taken kindly enough to tho new; Tegime. A correspondent, "Sanitas," has sent the following letter to The Post: "I was passing along a Newtown street the other day, and happened to have my atj tention called to the dustman in a dual manner— firstly by my nose, and then, with my eyes. The stench was beyond describing, and the basket, which was very heavy, dripping wet, the stuff vunnmg down the back of the dustman's cpat. I watched him deposit the load into the cart, und I then saw that tho stuff was a mass of putrefaction. A quantity of 6oil had been thrown on the top in an endeavour, apparently/ to hide it. Now, this is not fair play on the part of the people who left such a mess, not fair to the dustman, not fair to his wife, who has to handle his clothes, nor is it fair to the large number of peoplewho have to pass the cart on its way back to the yards." Mr. Doyle said on Thursday that he appreciated the kindliness expressed in that letter. He remarked that thesanitary department was now very rigorously enforcing the bylaw which required houseownors to provide a proper metal receptacle, with a cover. This receiver, especially if people took care to put an old newspaper in the bottom and sprinkle in some ashes, would make life much more pleasant for the dustman. Also the use of disinfectant powder, whick was very cheap, would be a benefit to everybody. A citizen's suggestion that the council should issue a handy card of advice, to householders was mentioned to Mr.. Doyle, bnt he was sceptical about tho advantage. Some people, he said, wouli be careful without instructions from tlwi council, and others would ' continue to b» thoughtless.