BAD STATE OF THINGS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1171, 5 July 1911, Page 4

BAD STATE OF THINGS.

QUESTION OF PUBLICITY. ADVERSE REPORT ON BUSINESS PREMISES. A breeze which at times threatened to increase to. a gale milled the normal tranquillity of the City Council meeting last evening, when Cauncillor Sliirldill'u, in his oflieial oiipaeily a* chairman of the Abattoirs Committee, n>ked the. council to adopt iis a supplementary motion to the report and recommendations, of his committee the suggestion that "tho recommendation of tho District Health Oilieer with respect to certain premises in Willis Street be Riven cll'eet to."

These premises, Councillor Shiricliilc slated, were in a very unsatisfactory condition, ''Unsatisfactory" was' hardly a strong enough term io apply, and tho" use of a much stronger term would be instilled, ho said, wjth emphasis. However ho added, he did, not think it desirable at this singe that the matters which formed tho subject of the. Health Officer's recommendation -should, be made public. ■ Publicity Wanted, 'Cortain councillors : dissented from tho suggestion that the veil of secrecy should be draped about the business. Councillor D. M'Larcn remarked that the Health Officer's report referred to something which, for the good of the j'lly, should be given the widest publicity. Ihe premises referred to were in a most filthy, state; foodstuffs were handled therein, and the council should give tJiese people and others clearly to understand that, such conduct of their business laid them open to prosecution in the interests of public -health.

. Councillor ,J. E. Fitzgerald commented nipoii.the-fact (hat the names of owners nf. condemned premises wore published in t lie periodical reports of the Abattoirs Committed. Why not in this particular cas< ?. The letter of- the District Health Officer should b 3 road, {or it disclosed a Very .serious state of affairs. The premises, in quEstiou was the last place in Wellington anyone would have thought of in this connection, and tho matter should 1)0 dealt with in a drastic manner. I move that tho letter be read," ho said, "A Fashionable House." Councillor R. Fletcher agreed. "I havenever heard of such a shocking state o£ affairs in my life," ho declared emphatically. ."It concerns a fashionable house, where psople go to get their food." Ho seconded the motion. ■Councillor J. Fuller suggested that tho inspector might make a round of all tho eiiting-liouses in the city. Up till this point, the debate, though emphatic m language, had been, fairly calm, in tho circumstances. But Councillor ITindmarsh imperilled the- situation by indignantly demanding publicity. Ho picked up the letter, am! intimated his intention of reading it out. "I'm going to publish this man's name, ho declared. "I'm going to publish it!" '

"A'o, no!" d&entcd several councillors, a<rhas-t at f!io speaker's precipitancy. I rise to a ]K)iiit of order;" said Councillor Shirtclific, pointing out tlrt the matter had not yet been' before the Abattoir* Committee, and therefore liik! not Ijeen fully invostiealctl. Hi* siiggcstion merely comniitte<[ the couneil to a resolution that the matter should bo investigated and action taken in accordance' with (no -recommendation of the-Health Oflicer. It. would be the subject of furtlisr report by the committee. ■Councillor Fitzgerald .said that-hd was prepared to -let his resolution stand over on condition that the council discussed the letter'in committee.

The Acting-Mayor "Deprecates." "Let the town clerk read the letter without mentioning names," suggested tho Acting-Mayor (Councillor J. Smith). "I denrceatp , any..attempt .to ruin, a,.,man's business—l don't , care who he is."- , "You deprecate any attempt to ruin a man's business!" exclaimed Councillor Jundmarsh, jumping up to his feet. "I don't attempt anything of the kind. I merely want to name him, for the protection of the citizens." The Acting-Mayor:;Tho question is that this supplementary report be added. "I. haven't withdrawn my amendment, Mr. Mayor, interrupted Councillor Fitzgerald. ■ Tho Acting-Mayor: Well-read tho letter. ,r No—No!" exclaimed several councillors. Ultimately, after some further discussion, tho council retired into committee. On resuming, the council resolved that tho recommendations of the Health Officer should lie given effect to. When the pressmen in' 'attendances re-entered the Council Chamber, Councillor Ilimlmarsh came up- to the press table and said: "It is Carroll's establishment in Willis Street." The deputy-Mayor: "I think it is very unfair." ... Councillor Cameron: "Oh, tho press aro sensible, men." Report Made Public. Subsequently the Health Officer's report, dated June 29, was handed over to tho press table. It read as follows :- " Accompanied by Inspector Watson, I this morning visited Carroll's Tea Booms, at tho corner of Willis Street and Lambton Quay. Tho bakehouse floor of these premises is crusted with dirt, and there was an accumulation of material awaiting destruction. Tho floor of the ante-room or scullery of the bakehouse was coated with -a- thick layer, of dirt, mixed .with sawdust, etc. Tho sink was in a filthy state, and there was.also an offensive accumulation of material behind the door. Altogether this placo in its present condition is unsuitable for the preparation of food. I recommend that Mr. Carroll bo served with a requisition to within twenty-four, hours—(l) Remove all dirt and accumulations from doors and thoroughly cleanse the bakehouse, scullery, and adjoining premises; (2) Provide proper rat-proof, covered receptacles for food refuse. (3) Remove butter-making machino from its present unliglifed position behind the door to a place where there is more light and air, so as to facilitate tho cleansing and keeping clean theroof. (4) Cupboard where cakes were stored, and

which had also been used for clothing, to bo thoroughly cleansed and used solely, for storage ol cukes. (5) Remove all tin's and refuse from roof of ovens, the bakehon.se. scullery, and yards, (ti) Limownsh eoilings and walls of bakehouse and scullery. (7) Destroy all rats and obliterate burrows and nests, and render premises so far.as possible rat-proof. I further recommend that in tho event of a recurrence of (ho nuisances übove-inenlioiied in connection with these premises, Mr. Carroll lie prosecuted. "(Signed) HERBERT CHKSSON, ■ '(Acting District Health Officer."