A WALTHAM COMPLAINT.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16728, 10 January 1920, Page 8

A WALTHAM COMPLAINT.

STATE OF JACKSON'S CREEK

A considerable amount of com plain# has been made regarding the (rendition of Jackson's Creek. In a lotter addressed by him to the Town Clerk (Mr H. 1?. Smith), I>r. Chcsson, District Health Officer, states that on November 25th last ho inspected tho creek and caused at tho time a sample of water to Ik> taken from it aftex it had pussed through AValtham and just at the point whero it entered tho culvert which conveyed it to the river. Mr llickerUn had furnished him with nn analysis which showed that tho water was good. "Of course," adds Dr. Chcsson, "we know that it (tho creek) receives a certain amount of slop water, etc., in its course, but tho amount is «» small that it fails to show on analysis, or it becomes purified owing to tho amount of fresh water flowing through tho creek. Obviously, there can bo no causo for complaint regarding tlio condition of this creek." Tho nature of the complaints was investigated yesterdav afternoon fjy a representative of ''Tlio Press," who had a conversation with several residents through, or close to, whoso property tho creek runs. Several expressed Ilia opinion that the creek was quite satisfactory, and stated that it was not from thom that tlio eomnlainta had emanated. Eventually, tlio reporter learned that it ivas in tho vicinity of Austen street that tho dissatisfaction existed. Ho was told by a resident in that locality that tho waterway wob frequently littered with refuse, and occasionally the carcase of a cat or a dogVhas found in it, although thu water itself wa« pure enough. Another resident stated thnt at times tho crcok gavo forth an offensive smell, rendering it unpleasant for his household. It. was true, ho stated, that an inspection had roccntlv been carried out by tho ~ District Health Officer, but this was not very convincing, because it had been mado after tho creek had just been cleaned. In another instance, tho information was given that the creek was tho source of a lot of good to tho ponple whose property it passed through. A considerable quantity of artesian water ran into it, and children during tho warm weather availed themselves of tho opportunity of paddling in it, in no case, so far lis tho speaker was aware, with harmful results. What appears to l»o wanted by tho residents about Austen street is that tho crook should be eovorod over, an it is in somo other localities. This would enable a footpath to be constructed oh tho loft side of tho street going towards Walthnm road. At present only tho right side has n footpath. The matter was recently made the subject of a petition to I>r. Thacker, M.P., who. it. is statol, gave a sympathetic hearing to tho deputation who waited on him. but nothing has sinco been dono in tho matter. Tho Drainago Board somo time time ago, according to a resident, made a statement to the effect that if the residents desired to have the creel: covered over they would be allowed to do so at their own expense. Objection, is mado by others to tho covering-over proposal on tho ground that if this were done it would be a difficult matter to keep the creek clear_ of obstructions, but against this, ngain, is quoted tho case of underground sewers. Jiirkson's Orotic, which flows beside tho Show (Grounds at Addington, is conducted from this point in a concrete culvert. It follows a tortuous course, prmc.inally through backyards, and. although it is never very distant from tho Ileathcote river, it does not join that stream until it. gets to near Orange street, Opawn. It is a very narrow stream, nnd it* waters appear to bo equally ,» clear as those of the Avon or the iicathcoto on its upper reaches.