DESTRUCTION OF WEEDS
RATEPAYER SOLVES THE PROBLEM. OBSOLETE CIVIC METHODS ■ , • t Civic economy was a broad subject that opened up for discussion at a meeting of the Wanganui Ratepayers' Association on Thursday evening. Mr. Lloyd .Tones commented upon the method adopted of digging grass and weeds up in the streets, and the cost that was entailed. Mr. Jones said that by using a weed destroyer prepared by one of the local firms, he destroyed all the weeds on the paths at his residence by an annual application, usually in September. He had informed the borough engineer and some of the councillors of the efficacy of the method, but without re- , “ suit. Then he treated the footpath outside his place and cleared all the woods. When he informed the borough engineer ho (Mr. Jones) was informed that he could not put poison on the roads. Under the circumstances it seemed just about the height of absurdity. Mr. A. A. Gower said it was opening up a big mutter. When on the Borough Council he had raised the point in regard to the disposal of tar products from the municipal gasworks. The Borough Council was selling a product, and in return paying more to buy back refuse.
Mr. C. H. Burnett said that the particular contract would need to bo looked into.
Mr. Gower said the tar products at the gasworks were sold for 4}d a gallon and pumped to the buyer. After the water of ammonia was driven off il provided a distillate of thin oil, whicl was retailed to the public at 3/6 < gallon. Then the temperature war raised to drive off the thick oil. Thii was converted with potash and soft soap to make a disinfectant that was sold for 4/6 a gallon. The refuse was sold back to the Borough Council at Hid a gallon. This was an instance where the ratepayers’ money was wasted. The Borough Council was buying back refuse at three times the price they gave it away for. The Council had plant, and could deal with the by-products thems<yes, and save a lot of money. “
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19032, 7 June 1924, Page 4
Word Count
351DESTRUCTION OF WEEDS Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19032, 7 June 1924, Page 4
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