PESTILENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3843, 18 June 1875, Page 2

PESTILENCE.

To the Editor, Sir,—ln a letter which you permitted to appear in the Star some months ago I called public attention to the noisome state of that portion of ground near Castle street, lying between the bay and the distillery buildings. Attention was directed to the same matter by other writers, and it was freely asserted tbat unless something was done towards the removal of the nuisances complained of, nothing short of a miracle could prevent the outbreak of a pestilence in our midst. With the exception, however, of the filling up of a part of that foetid lagoon immediately behind the Otago Foundry, the ground has remained in precisely the same condition as it was before one word was written about it. For months past the atmosphere in Castle street has been positively heavy with the foul stenches emanating from that part of the lagoon which remained unfilled, and from the other neighboring lagoon between the railway line and street. The latter lagoon, instead of being in any way improved, is daily becoming worse in consequence of its having become a recognised receptacle for cartloads of rotted vegetable matter and rubbish of all descriptions. Unhappily, sir, the prediction of months ago have been justified by results. There ue now several cases of typhoid fever in Castle street, and a few deaths from the same malady have occurred. Who is to blame ? That most oriminal neglect has taken place in some quarter is apparent, for warnings enough were given. It is a solemn assertion to make, but I do assert that whoever was specially to blame for that neglect has been guilty of murder —indirect murder, perhaps, but still murder. It is perfectly appalling to witness the anxiety displayed by our authorities for wide streets, railways, and buildings, whilst death - dealing nuisances are calmly permitted to operate as they may on the lives of the people.—l am, &c., _ Tomahawk. Dunedin, June 18.