The Daily Telegraph THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1882.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3561, 7 December 1882, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1882.

Three matters came before the Borough Council last night bearing on (he sanitary condition of the town. Two were brought forward in the Inspector of Nuisances' report drawing attention to the impossibility of connecting dwelling houses on the western side of upper Haetiogs street with the main sewer ; and, secondly, asking for instructions with respect to the abatement of a nuisance on the Beach road. The third matter was introduced by His Worship the Major. In reference to the first subject it will be seen by our report of the proceedings of the Council that the recommendation of the Public Works Committee was carried. The engineer is to be instructed to make a plan and estimate of the best means to be adopted for draining the houses in question. Mr Napier Bell, in his proposals for the drainage of the town, contemplated the formation of a new street ruuning between the sections facing Hastings street and those that are now reclaimed. Through this proposed thoroughfare a main was to be carried, which would have drained the land on either side. The late Mr Peppercorne, unfortunately, appeared to labor under the impression that the town was to be made for the drainage scheme, and not the scheme for the town, and, consequently, if water could not run up-hill of its own accord it would have to stop where it was. In the upper part of Hastings street the main sewer ia considerably above the level of the sections on the west sideoftbe street, and to drain the back yards and dwelling houses is a simple impossibility. From the remarks that fell from Cr. Monteith in the Council, it would appear that many of the property owners would gladly give up a portion of their land for a thoroughfare through which to carry a main eewer, and the Corporation owns most of the sections at the back, the chief difficulty can therefore be surmounted. The second subject referred to by the Inspector of Nuisances related to a house on the Marine Parade which formerly had its drainage conveyed on to the beach by a culvert drain. In laying the pipes for the water extension works this culvert had been destroyed, and a nuisance thereby created. The Inspector desired to know whether the culvert was to be re-instated, or whether the owner of the premises should be called upon to connect them with the sevver. The Council decided upon the latter course. And here it would be well to remark that, although there are some parts of the town that at present cannot take advantage of the drainage scheme, the great majority of the dwelling houses on the lower levels can be connected with the main sewers. Notwithstanding, a very small number ot houses only have been connected with the drains. This fact 6hould call tor the serious consideration of the authorities. The law allows the Corporation to insist upon all premises being drained that are situated within one hundred yards from the mains A sufficient time has elapsed since the completion of the drainage scheme to ascertain the extent to which householders of their own accord will avail themselves of the sewers, and now the sooner the law is enforced the better it will be for the health of the whole community. The third subject brought to the notice of the Council was by His Worship, who referred to the desirability of publishing for general information clause 28 of the Public Health Act, 1876. The clause is as follows :—" When a householder knows that a person within the house occupied by him is taken sick of small-pox, cholera, or any other highly infectious disease dangerous to the people, he shall immediately give notice thereoi to the local board of the district in which he dwells. If he refuses or neglects to give such notice he shall forfeit a sum not exceeding £10. It shall be the duty of the medical practioner in attendance on such case to state to the householder, as early as possible, the infectious nature of such disease."