“FILTHY CONDITION”

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21415, 8 May 1941, Page 5

“FILTHY CONDITION”

HOUSEHOLD REFUSE TINS COMPLAINT BY CONTRACTORS Complaints at what were described as “the disgraceful and filthy conditions” obtaining in respect of refuse tins at many of the houses in Hamilton were received at the Hamilton Borough Council last night in a letter received from Transport (Waikato) Limited. Many of the tins, said the letter, were filthy and wet. “We have now had several months of very good dry weather, but despite this fact we are consistently getting serious complaints from our workmen engaged on the contract,” said the writers. “Not 20 per cent of the receptacles provided are regulation cans and probably half of this number are worn out and have holes in them. Many are in a filthy condition, and other householders place refuse in old kerosene tins and other tins full of holes. In some instances the garbage is not even placed in a receptacle.” A report from the borough engineer, Mr J. W. Lewis, stated that in many cases the complaints were borne out. Although there was a shortage of the regulation type of cans, that was not the chief complaint. Many householders thought that anything could be placed in the tins, but this was not so. Only dry waste mattei should be placed in the tins.

On the motion of the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, it was decided to instruct the inspector to insist that the receptacles be maintained in good order.

Mr C. Lafferty expressed the opinion that the new council should be recommended to look into the matter of taking over the work ol' collecting the refuse. The equipment was available to do that in addition to the coal carting to the depot and the gasworks and the hospital carting. The Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, presided, and also present were Messrs W. M. Cann, C. Croall, F. C. House. R. McCaw, H. M. Hammond, C. Lafferty, F. Findlay, J. R. Fow, T. G. Reynolds, W. W. Dillicar, D. I. Gate, W. R. Shattock and borough officers.