A FRANK CRITIC

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 66, 21 April 1944, Page 5

A FRANK CRITIC

WHAKATANE'S REFUSE

QUESTION

HEALTH OFFICER'S LETTER

Possibly what constitutes the most direct official criticism of the rubbish and refuse disposal question in Whakatane was contained in a letter from; the Medical Officer of Health (Gisborne district) to the Whakatane Borough Council, the contents of which were read at last Monday's meeting.

The letter read as under:—

Last week along with Mr Wallwork, Health Inspector for the area 1 visited the Borough refuse tip,

in which I regret to report, there was no improvement from the posi-

tion whi»ch I found it in, when examining a year ago.

In sp'ite of a large notice forbid•ding the practice, was still: a •considerable amount of animal and vegetable refuse on the tip and flybreeding was taking place. The whole area appears to be completely 'Uncontrolled and is really in a condition which is frankly a disgrace 'to the town. It would appear from the material lying on the tip that nthere is any amount of excellent covering wh'ich could bp used if the tipping of refuse were in any respect controlled—l need hardly point out to you that an. area of this sort, an the middle of your Borough is a ■ constant menace to health on account of the breeding of flies and of rats in particular.

During my visit to the town I dis>cussed with your Clerk the question -of the 'inauguration of a regular refuse collection but so far as I could gather no progress has been made in putting this work in hand. I .■-understand that the Council considers that , a special vehicle (which would be expensive and probably unobtainable at present) would be necessary, but to my view a simple • covered vehicle which could be fitted on to any lorry or farm cart would be quite adequate 'in •4he. meantime. I think it. unlikely that standard refuse vehicles will he obtainable for some years, and I -assume that the, Council having a regard to the evident, need for refuse - collect ion, and also to the ptiblic derm and which undoubtedly exists for this work to be undertaken will not be prepared to postpone the matter JLndefiriitely.

Complaints have reached me dirrectly and have also reached the Inspector of Health in regard to this matter. The accumulation of refuse in the neighbourhood of shops and dwelling houses leads unavoidably to nuisance and is a source of danger to public health. My inspector, Mr IWallwork, for instance has very great difficulty in keeping the fore.shore of the river beh'ind the shops in the Strand free from refuse, and when shopkeepers are taken to task in the, matter they immediately raise rthe difficulty of disposing of their -waste. It is very difficult for Mr Wallwork to be both loyal to the •Council and to do his duty in the jnatter.

I shall be very glad if you will bring th'is matter to the. notice of your Council, and if you will in due ♦ course inform me regarding any action taken.