POISONED SHELLFISH.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 31, 7 December 1943, Page 5

POISONED SHELLFISH.

HARBOUR BOARD'S DISCUSSION

MATTKU RKFKKRKI) TO BOROUCH

The possibility of the shellfish from the Whakatane River being a potential source of typhoid fever owing to the pollution of the stream was cd by the Whakatane Harbour Board last Friday when it was finally decided to refer the whole of the correspondence to the Borough Council. Inspector P. A. Walhvork in a communication to Llie Board stated that recently on investigating a ease of typhoid fever it was found that the patient had been eating shellfish (pi pi) taken from the Whakatane River. The Medical Officer of Health was of'the opinion that the. shellfish was the probable cause of the infection and suggested that the shellfish Ave re unfit for human consumption on account of the pollution of tiie river. The Board Avas therefore asked to consider the following recommendations: — 1. That the taking of shellfish from the Whakatane River be prohibited.. ' 2. Suitable notice boards to be e.rectcd in prominent positions on river banks.

The chairman, Mr W. R. Boon, thought it advisable to refer the matter to the Borough Council as any drainage into the river was more or less confined to the Borough, and that body could then take appropriate; action. Personally he understood that there 1 was no sewerage from the Borough and also that there had not been any eases of typhoid reported within its boundaries lor years, lie considered it far more likely that the. pipis became infected in the Pahs where, tlicy were often left lying about, before being eaten. Mr Tickner: I would like to see a notice put up to protect the board. The chairman: I: think before doing that, that, we should make quite certain ol' the contamination. Mr Mitchell: The chances of. the shellfish being the cause of the. disease are very remote. The whole .matter is largely one of surmise. Ml- Smith: I would like to see much more, direct evidenceMr Brabant: Why not write the Maori Tribal Council and see what it has to say. The chairman: I understand that Mr Creeke has already been in I ouch with them and is acting on their behalf.

Mr Mitchell: Isf we arc contaminating a shellfish bed which has for generations been the source of a Maori foocl supply wc should do something to lirotcct it. The Board agreed to the chairman's suggestion that the whole matter be referred to the Borough Council.