The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JUNE 21.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 201, 21 June 1878, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JUNE 21.

Mil Hardy Johnston, in his report at the last meeting of the Lakes Reclamation and Akaroa Railway Trust, gave his professional opinion in favor of the proposed line being taken by Little River Valley aad Barry' Bay. The reasons assigned for this preference are briefly summed up in the two advantages possessed by this route—abundance of material for traffic, and an easy gradient, recommendations which cannot fail to carry great weight,. backed up. by the dictum of an eminent professional mau. It is, however, to be regretted that, as, was the primary intention of the Trust, and as the terms of the Engineer's contract stipulated, a survey of an alternative line by the Okute Valley through to French Farm Bay was not also submitted for consideration. We are well aware of. the unforeseen difficulties and delays which have clogged the efforts of the Trust since the work was taken in hand, and no blame whatever can be attached to those gentlemen that the specified time has passed, with but a portion of the scheme developed, and even this barely completed. It will be as much as can possibly now be accomplished in the short space of time between the last meeting and the commencement of the Session of the General Assembly to present to Parliament the Lakes Drainage scheme, and the com plete survey of one mite for the line of railway, namely, that by Barry's Bay. To attempt to do more than this may lead to a failure in the whole. .

While sympathising with those whose preference and interests lie in the Okute Valley route, we cannot but re-echo the .sentiments of Mr, E. C. Latter, Chairman of the Trust, when he remarked at the recent meeting at French* Farm, that, as matters stand at present, any opposition may prove fatal to the passing of the Bill. Pressure'should have been brought to bear by those interested in the other route some time back, when doubtless, the Trust, having time at their disposal, would have instructed the Engineer to take the necessary steps toward preparing the required survey. Now, however, and for the present, it is too late. Mr Dicken remarked, with great foresight, that any counter-memo-rial, or petition that the line be now altered'would be jumped at by Government as an excuse to throw out the Bill, on the ground that the difference of opinion would have to be enquired into. Nothing would probably be more acceptable to the Government than that our cause should be weakened.by local dissension. The whole of the money to the credit of the Trust for the Drainage and Railway Scheme would then quietly lapse into the public funds, anil when our little difference was settled, a polite answer would be returned to any future demands of "No funds."

We would urge, then, that no let or hindrance be offered to the scheme as it now stands. Let the claims of the Okute Valley route be a matter for subsequent investigation, as we do not doubt for an instant they will be. When once the lins has reached Little River, and the time has arrived for its extension to the Akaroa side of the watershed, the least expensive, the shortest, and the route that will impinge upon the most suitable point within the harbor for shipping purposes will have to be considered. Then let those interested move in the matter—lor the present, lot us " leave well alone."

We congratulate the Local Board of Health on their prompt action in the matter in the late case of dipfclitheria. On Monday last, a case of this terrible disorder was reported, which unhappily terminated fatally. The same evening the Board met, and appointed Dr Guthrie its medical officer, under " The Public Health Act." On the following morning another meeting took place, at which the Doctor's report was received; and his instructions as to the measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the disease were ordered to be circulated. The result was that, within twenty-four hours of the time when it was first '•known that the disease had visited us, every householder was in possession of explicit instructions as to the best means to be adopted to prevent infection. We ; believe that these instructions have been very generally, if not universally carried out. It would be greatly to be wondered at if it were not so, when the fearful nature of the scourge to be combated is considered. In any case, prevention is better than cure, but the disease in question strikes so. suddenly, and makes such short work of its victims, that to wait for its approach would be simple madness. We hope that the measures taken may have the effect of eradicating any germs of the disorder that may have been .lingering in the atmosphere, and also that the present " scare " may have the effect of causing greater care to be exercised in the matter of cleanliness. It does not need any great amount of medical knowledge to make one aware that the most fruitful source and propagator of epidemic disease is the absence of care in such matters as drains, back

yards, &c. '-■ That heaps of .decaying organic matter, or ground saturated with reluse of any description, generate foul gases and poison the air and water, is" now too generally known to be disputed, Also is it admitted on all hands that the two greatest essentials to health are pure air. and water. But, however, well known these truths are, they are apt to be forgotten, and the small amount of trouble entailed by keeping premises thoroughly clean,, will be allowed to interfere with the performance •of a manifest duty. We hope that in the present instance the reformation in these matters may not prove to be temporary. If self-preservation arid the fulfilment of a manifest duty be not sufficient to induce every one to do Ms part, we presume that there is such an officer as an Inspector of Nuisances, and we should advise that officer to put the law in force wherever he may find it necessary to do so.

We append the medical officer's instructions . for disinfection, as, although they have been circulated in the Borough, some of our readers outside may wish to avail themselves of the advice therein contained.

"It is optional to use carbolic acifl or sulphur. The latter is recommended for simplicity, althougb the former is more effectual.

" Carbolic Acid.—A small bottle containing the requisite quantity of carbolic acid can be obtained at either of the chemists. This must be added to one pint of water and well shaken up. Pour a quantity of the mixture so procured into an ordinary saucer until it is about one-third full.

?' Take a can nearly full of boiling water, and place it in the centre of the room, placing under it a spirit lamp, or some such article, which will produce sufficient heat to keep the- water boiling. Then place thfc. saucer containing the carbolic acid on the surface of the boiling water and allow it to float.

" It will be necessary to visit the room from time to time to ascertain whether the carbolic acid mixture has evaporated from the saucer, and to replenish it from the bdttle if required.

" It will also be necessary to close the windows and doors, and continue the fumigation for two hours in each room. ■" Sulphur.—-" Put about four ounces in a metallic dish, placed in the centre of the room ; pour a little spirits of wine over it, and then light it. " Close the windows and doors, and allow the fumigation to go' on for about two hours, during which time the room must not be entered.. . " After fumigation by either method, let the windows, be thr&vvii wide open, and kept so for fully three hours. " Dr". Guthrie, "Medical Officer to the Board."