Letters, Jun 2
Bad plumbing
I read your article on Bad Plumbing and the Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. Well Done. The story goes deeper than what you have reported on. Plumbers are starting to stand up for themselves against the government and the Board. Tradesmen are also sick of them not just the consumer.
Wal Gordon, Wellington.
Bad plumbing
The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) is committed to increasing public confidence in the industry and takes all complaints extremely seriously.
As is the case with any allegation (see “bad plumbing” story, May 26), this complaint underwent a rigorous examination by an experienced board investigator.
Having carefully considered all of the information and facts, the investigator concluded there was no substance to the complaint.
In making his determination, the investigator was satisfied that the plumber who was employed by the complainant made every endeavour to rectify the incorrect installation at the complainant’s property. However, he was issued with a trespass notice before this rectification work could be undertaken.
It is important to note that Wellington City Council approved the plumbing work in question and at no time did they issue a Notice to Fix pursuant to the Building Act 2004.
Furthermore, the PGDB has no jurisdiction to order compensation. This is a civil matter that is between the complainant and the plumber.
The Board’s role is to protect consumers and ensure the work of plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers is of the highest quality and standard.
I encourage those consumers interested in learning more about the PGDB to log onto our website, www.pgdb.co.nz.
Kern U’ren, Acting Registrar, PGDB.
The trespass notice was issued because the plumber continued to turn up at the property after he’d been fired for the poor job.
It was also noted in the independent investigator’s report that the Wellington City Council approved the plumbing work. What the council said in response: “I am concerned that this statement is only true to a point. There is a site report of a requested inspection of the removed shower tray. The inspector found that the installation did not conform…. A subsequent site report refers to photos taken of non-compliant drainage installed by [the plumber] after drainage inspection, and specifically notes areas that needed to be remedied”. The plumbing work clearly wasn’t of the highest quality.
Editor.
Reverse discrimination
Referring to your May 26 letters, I enjoyed those from Ron Blair and C Harris, who very obviously intimated that it’s political correctness that has wrecked adult education. Public money is down the drain in admitting to universities people who just don’t have the brain for serious tertiary studies. It doesn’t seem to matter that many will drop out or flunk out, or may gain certificates/diplomas that are meaningless, and won’t qualify their holders for any sort of employment, so long as they “feel good about themselves”. Meanwhile, youngsters with proved academic abilities may be denied entrance because the universities are clogged up with no-hoper students of rubbish courses, or students of courses that ought to be done at technical institutes, not universities. So far as giving entrance priority on racial grounds to medical students who haven’t those same achievements required from students of all other races, apart from a great deal of wasted public money, can we expect much beyond mediocre or bad doctors? We should drop student loans altogether, and restore free tertiary education, while making sure that only bright youngsters can get into university, and not allowing them to stay if they don’t perform!. And all PC rubbish studies should be scrubbed for good!
H Westfold, Miramar (abridged).
Small apartments
Is the Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean mad? Has he seen the asking price of the smallest apartment in the Soho complex? Assuming there is the average 2 adults and 1.5 children to a family, how could “people on lower incomes” possibly afford this kind of living space? On behalf of the Council he says, “we don’t think that Wellington City is a place just for the rich to live.” But that is exactly what these buildings are achieving. Low income families are being pushed further and further out of the City because of high priced dwellings and high rentals. Clearly the City Council - or at least its spokesperson - is way of touch with the realities of low income living in Wellington.
Graham-Michael Brandreth Wills, Wellington.
Small apartments
The article from Gus Charteris in last week’s edition was welcome for two reasons – it highlighted the need for a discussion about the central city and the types of architecture we want in there, and secondly the need for engagement with the local community. Short-sightedly allowing developers to build outsize buildings on non-notified consents with little or no parking is not what we want especially as long-term projections for a significant inner city population growth and a corresponding desire to solve issues such as sufficient open space, adequate parking, sufficient activities for youth, graffiti and waste control amongst others. Wellington 2040 is an opportunity for us all to discuss the Wellington we want in the future, but the process is already significantly flawed by a council that has not even consulted with Gus Charteris and the inner city residents group. Council must engage genuinely and constructively with this local community for an effective outcome.
Allan Probert, Miramar.
Car parking
Manners St, 12.40pm on Wednesday, there are seven metered car parks just opposite Pigeon Park, just before the taxi rank. Out of the seven car parks, five were taken up by taxis. There were drivers in a couple of them but the rest were standing to the side and chatting, and there were no pay and display tickets in their windows. Can someone tell me firstly if they are exempt from paying for parking, and secondly, is it right that they take up these parks from people with legitimate business in the area and who do pay?
M. Banks, Lower Hutt.
Car-free Golden Mile
As my bus inched its way across town through the traffic-clogged streets last evening, I was heartened by the thought that the Mayor has finally focused her mind on this issue and thinks it would be a good idea to rid the Golden Mile of cars so that buses can get quickly from one end of town to the other. But why do we have to wait ten to twenty years for this to happen? Why not tomorrow?
Dianne Buchan, Thorndon
I read your article on Bad Plumbing and the Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. Well Done. The story goes deeper than what you have reported on. Plumbers are starting to stand up for themselves against the government and the Board. Tradesmen are also sick of them not just the consumer.
Wal Gordon, Wellington.
Bad plumbing
The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) is committed to increasing public confidence in the industry and takes all complaints extremely seriously.
As is the case with any allegation (see “bad plumbing” story, May 26), this complaint underwent a rigorous examination by an experienced board investigator.
Having carefully considered all of the information and facts, the investigator concluded there was no substance to the complaint.
In making his determination, the investigator was satisfied that the plumber who was employed by the complainant made every endeavour to rectify the incorrect installation at the complainant’s property. However, he was issued with a trespass notice before this rectification work could be undertaken.
It is important to note that Wellington City Council approved the plumbing work in question and at no time did they issue a Notice to Fix pursuant to the Building Act 2004.
Furthermore, the PGDB has no jurisdiction to order compensation. This is a civil matter that is between the complainant and the plumber.
The Board’s role is to protect consumers and ensure the work of plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers is of the highest quality and standard.
I encourage those consumers interested in learning more about the PGDB to log onto our website, www.pgdb.co.nz.
Kern U’ren, Acting Registrar, PGDB.
The trespass notice was issued because the plumber continued to turn up at the property after he’d been fired for the poor job.
It was also noted in the independent investigator’s report that the Wellington City Council approved the plumbing work. What the council said in response: “I am concerned that this statement is only true to a point. There is a site report of a requested inspection of the removed shower tray. The inspector found that the installation did not conform…. A subsequent site report refers to photos taken of non-compliant drainage installed by [the plumber] after drainage inspection, and specifically notes areas that needed to be remedied”. The plumbing work clearly wasn’t of the highest quality.
Editor.
Reverse discrimination
Referring to your May 26 letters, I enjoyed those from Ron Blair and C Harris, who very obviously intimated that it’s political correctness that has wrecked adult education. Public money is down the drain in admitting to universities people who just don’t have the brain for serious tertiary studies. It doesn’t seem to matter that many will drop out or flunk out, or may gain certificates/diplomas that are meaningless, and won’t qualify their holders for any sort of employment, so long as they “feel good about themselves”. Meanwhile, youngsters with proved academic abilities may be denied entrance because the universities are clogged up with no-hoper students of rubbish courses, or students of courses that ought to be done at technical institutes, not universities. So far as giving entrance priority on racial grounds to medical students who haven’t those same achievements required from students of all other races, apart from a great deal of wasted public money, can we expect much beyond mediocre or bad doctors? We should drop student loans altogether, and restore free tertiary education, while making sure that only bright youngsters can get into university, and not allowing them to stay if they don’t perform!. And all PC rubbish studies should be scrubbed for good!
H Westfold, Miramar (abridged).
Small apartments
Is the Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean mad? Has he seen the asking price of the smallest apartment in the Soho complex? Assuming there is the average 2 adults and 1.5 children to a family, how could “people on lower incomes” possibly afford this kind of living space? On behalf of the Council he says, “we don’t think that Wellington City is a place just for the rich to live.” But that is exactly what these buildings are achieving. Low income families are being pushed further and further out of the City because of high priced dwellings and high rentals. Clearly the City Council - or at least its spokesperson - is way of touch with the realities of low income living in Wellington.
Graham-Michael Brandreth Wills, Wellington.
Small apartments
The article from Gus Charteris in last week’s edition was welcome for two reasons – it highlighted the need for a discussion about the central city and the types of architecture we want in there, and secondly the need for engagement with the local community. Short-sightedly allowing developers to build outsize buildings on non-notified consents with little or no parking is not what we want especially as long-term projections for a significant inner city population growth and a corresponding desire to solve issues such as sufficient open space, adequate parking, sufficient activities for youth, graffiti and waste control amongst others. Wellington 2040 is an opportunity for us all to discuss the Wellington we want in the future, but the process is already significantly flawed by a council that has not even consulted with Gus Charteris and the inner city residents group. Council must engage genuinely and constructively with this local community for an effective outcome.
Allan Probert, Miramar.
Car parking
Manners St, 12.40pm on Wednesday, there are seven metered car parks just opposite Pigeon Park, just before the taxi rank. Out of the seven car parks, five were taken up by taxis. There were drivers in a couple of them but the rest were standing to the side and chatting, and there were no pay and display tickets in their windows. Can someone tell me firstly if they are exempt from paying for parking, and secondly, is it right that they take up these parks from people with legitimate business in the area and who do pay?
M. Banks, Lower Hutt.
Car-free Golden Mile
As my bus inched its way across town through the traffic-clogged streets last evening, I was heartened by the thought that the Mayor has finally focused her mind on this issue and thinks it would be a good idea to rid the Golden Mile of cars so that buses can get quickly from one end of town to the other. But why do we have to wait ten to twenty years for this to happen? Why not tomorrow?
Dianne Buchan, Thorndon
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