10 years ago - The sunday Times
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Uncertified water sold as fit to drink
The majority of water suppliers advertising in the Yellow Pages are selling potentially hazardous water extracted from boreholes not registered with the Public Health Department – and claiming it is fit to drink.
Only five of the 31 suppliers advertising the sale of water make use of boreholes that are registered and certified by the Public Health Department, according to the department’s website.
As the government faces a chorus of disapproval over its new water and electricity rates, an exercise carried out by The Sunday Times showed that water supplies are being sold illegally at an average cost of just €26 for 15,000 litres or more.
Posing as a potential customer wanting to purchase water at reduced rates because of the increase in water tariffs, The Sunday Times called a number of bowser operators yesterday. Questions on whether the water was fit for consumption were met with reassurances that families of those supplying the water had consumed it all their lives.
One supplier went as far as saying: “The certificate is supplied by people. I have been distributing water for over 30 years and so far nobody has died.”
25 years ago - The Times
Tuesday, November 30, 1993
Two men, barman robbed in two hold-ups
The police are questioning a number of persons in connection with one of two hold-ups in which two men and a barman were robbed yesterday.
An undisclosed amount of cash and cheques were stolen during an armed raid at Msida at 7am.
Paul & Rocco Ltd employee Lawrence Borg, 36, and Walter Kitcher were in a Ford Fiesta driving along Antonio Sciortino Street in Msida, when they found their way blocked by a stationary white Honda Civic and three people wearing balaclavas jumped out of the Honda carrying pistols.
Mr Borg and Mr Kitcher, who were taking money to Paul & Rocco’s head office in Marsa, were forced out of the car and thrown to the ground.
After taking a bag containing cash and cheques from the dashboard, Lm103 from Mr Borg and the keys of the Fiesta, the thieves escaped in the Honda in the direction of Ta’ Xbiex.
Magistrate Dr Jacqueline Padovani Grima held an on-site inquiry.
The other hold-up occurred in Cospicua at 4am when Mr Charlie Buttigieg, 49, of Fgura, owner of the Meteor Bar in St Paul Street was approached by two men who asked him for the money he had in the bar.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Saturday, November 30, 1968
Students press for representation and free education for all
A record number of about 600 students attended the annual general meeting of the Student Representative Council of the royal University of Malta, which was held in Junior Common Room of Student House at Tal-Qroqq.
The president of the SRC, M. Carmel Agius delivered his presidential report in which he outlined the achievements of his Council and the problems with which would be faced.
The general meeting which lasted for six and a half hours decided to mandate the SRC to continue pressing for free education for all students who are academically capable of entering university.
The general meeting also mandated the SRC to continue pressing for student representation on various administrative bodies of the University. It was agreed that commission made up of both staff members and students be formed to continue the negotiations which the SRC has already started.
The general meeting also decided that the SRC though a non-political body can still take part in demonstrations and other manifestations but only in relation to problems of national importance.