POLLUTION OF THE LEITH.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2787, 23 January 1872, Page 2

POLLUTION OF THE LEITH.

Sir, —During the present drought it has been my lot, among that of many others, to have occasion to use the Leith water for domestic and other purposes ; and I can assure you it has been with feelings verging upon disgust that I have done so. Youngsters bathing, with the additional impurities of several drains, vegetable refuse, and heterogeneous subjects, are not calculated to improve the quality of the water in any way whatsoever. Now, sir, I simply ask you—ls there any municipal bye-law in existence to prevent the above pollution ? If no such law exists, I feel very certain that in a short time the Water of Leith stands a very fair chance of becoming a nuisance if our Civic authorities do not interfere in the matter. Boys of fifteen and sixteen years of age may be seen daily bathing under the footbridge in the old Botanic Gardens, to the evident dislike of many persons who may have occasion to pass during the afternoon. I do not wish to prevent youngsters from indulging in the healthy exercise of bathing, especially when there is so much room in the harbor; but at the same time you will no doubt admit that the immersion of a few dozen lads daily in the water which necessity compels you to drink, does not in any way improve it. Hoping you will excuse my trespass, 1 am, &c., Dunedin, January 23. ZoiLUS.