COUNCILS NIGHTMARE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 299, 19 December 1933, Page 6

COUNCILS NIGHTMARE

SUPPLY OF CITY WATER COMMENT BY INSPECTOR. “The problem of supplying water for the city has been a nightmare to the Wanganui City Council during the past three weeks. Matters were so serious and there was so much cause for alarm that the council was considering cutting the supply off at one time,” said Inspector G. Fear to Air J. 11. Salmon, S.AL, at the Magistrate’s Court at Wanganui yesterday morning. He was outlining the reasons why proceedings had been taken against several people who were to be 'brought before the Court for having [watered their gardens at times other .than those stipulated by the Wanganui City Council. Air Salmon imposed fines ranging from 10s to £l, according to the nature of the offence. “From December 6 until December 10 we were right up against it. and the position was becoming increasingly serious,” continued the inspector. “On December 9 the water was drawn off to 29 feet, on the following day to 34 feet. Fo; a while the city supply was actually being drawn direct from the Okehu Stream. 1 mention these facts to show how serious the matter was becoming, for at one time the council officers considered the position was desperate. If people generally would comply with the restrictions advertised by the council there would be enough water for everyone.” . Air Salmon: 1 think you should have let the people know that so (hat they would have appreciated the position and exercised more consideration. Inspector Fear replied that the council’s restrictions had been adver-. tised in both morning and evening papers, and the inspectors had been working day and night to see that they were enforced. “It was ft blessing that we had the rain this weekend,” he added. In imposing the lines, Mr Salmon remarked that no discrimination could be shown and that the people must keep the exact hours as ordered by the council. Ernest Bradlev was fined 10s and Ordered to pay 10s costs for allowing a hose to be playing 30 minutes after time. Airs Brown was lined 10s (costs 10s) for allowing a hose to run 50 minutes after the stipulated time. Leonard Cross was fined 10s (costs 10s) for allowing a hose to run 55 minutes after the stipulated time. Lawrence Gould was fined 10s (costs 10s). The time limit was exceeded by 10 minutes. Airs W. H. Johnston was lined £1 (costs 10s) iiX. having allowed a hose to run 45 minutes after the time allowed. Margaret Michie was fined 10s, with costs 10s. The time limit was exceeded by 5 minutes. Esther Naylor was fined £1 and ordered to pay costs 10s. It was stated that she had had a hose buried in the sand under a punga tree. At the time it was discovered by the inspector it had been turned full on. The inspector stated flint he had no idea how long it had been running. Jt might have been going day and night. ‘ for there was a large puddle round the tree. Defendant had been warned several times before but had taken no notice. William Summered was also fined £l, and ordered to pay 10s costs. The inspector stated that a complaint had been received by telephone saying that a hose had' been running in defendant’s garden since 4 o'clock in the morning. Ethel Wahlstrom was lined 10s and order to pay costs 10s. The time was exceeded bv 15 minutes. « Airs G. 11. White was lined £l. The time was exceeded by 55 minutes. x (The restrictions imposed by the Wanganui City Council allow hosing for half an hour daily. The period stipulated for Gonville and Castleeliff, on the southern side of Carlton Avenue, is from 6 p.m. to 6.30 o \doek. For the portion of the city between Carlton Avenue and Harrison Street, the period is 6.30 and 7 p.m.; on tne northern side of Harrison Street, including Aramoho and St. John’s Hill, 7 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.. and for Wanganui