The Evening Star SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4027, 22 January 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1876.

The difficulties thrown in the way of every movement calculated to benefit mankind are as extraordinary as the reasonings by which opposition is supported. In politics differences of opinion can be understood, for it is an acknowledged fact that men differ most on those subjects they least understand. Nor is contrariety of theory on abstract matters concerning forms of government of such serious moment as the adoption of mistaken measures with regard to health. A few thousands spent in political error may be redeemed, but who can Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath P Not only has Dunedin suffered through neglect of sanitary arrangements, but more or less every city and town of largo size throughout the world. When settlements are first founded, little or no precaution is needed beyond choosing a situation naturally healthy. In that respect Dunedin will bear favorable comparison with most cities. The fresh breezes from the sea, from North or South, sWoop through gorges which act as funnels for the concentration of draught, and the flowing and ebbing of the tide should aid the aif-pUrifying process. Unfortunately it is at this point that man’s short-sightedness begins to operate. Dunedin, increased in population beyond all expectation of the founders, is found to require drainage, and the Bay allorcta a ready receptacle for any refuse or sewage it is desirable to get rid of. To justify pouring the drainage of the city into ibe Bay, the opinions of engineers have been accepted rather than those of men whoso special functions are to investigate the causes ami cure of disease. Tbo latter, Without exception, condemn polluting the waters of the Bay with city sewage, and with them some of the ablest engineers coincide j while a few have persuaded themS v*T e ? that salt water acts as a purifier and disinfectant, and that it is only necessary to cover sewage with sea water to prevent danger to human health. Unfortunately tins is proved by experience to be os false iu theory as it is pernicious in practice. By the English papers to hand by the last mail an account is given of the induction and perpetuation of typhus fever among the soldiers quartered in an English citadel through the sewage of a town being conveyed by the true into a bay of salt water, although not de posited on the shore ; and it is impossible to saj ioiv many deaths have resulted from yie poisonous gases evolved from the outpourmp of the few drains that discharge themselyes into Dunedin Bay. The sentimental opposition to ths measures adopted by the Corporation for the abatement of fewer can and appreciated. When, mems o families are attacked by fever it is only natural that relatives should fee I it a duty as well as a privilege to watch tin > sick nid minister to their comfort. We kite >w of n- 1 ? 1 ’ du . ty ' , horlnnately, through the estabhshmeut of a f ever hose attacked can be placed ia the best possible

circumstances tending to recovery, with the least possible risk of spreading the disease through infection. We do not in the slightest degree sympathise with those who stickle so much for the inviolability of a patch of recreation ground as to refuse a corner for a sanitarium; and wc are glad to think that the bidding for popularity that led certain politicians to seek to saddle the citizens with the expense of removing the fever hospital has found no response from the mass of the people. Sound common sense and a conviction that the Corporation and Health Officer have devised the best steps for the general good, have secured for them the approbation of the people of Dunedin, so far as the site and erection of the fever hospital are concerned. The houses in the City are not constructed for the sick. Crowded, because house rent is expensive, in too many dwellings, should fever attack one member of a family, and that one remain at home, the chance is the lives of all the rest would be endangered ; while the hospital affords every chance of recovery to the sufferer if removed thither, and every likelihood that the disease will go no further. Moreover, the very character of the disease intended to be treated at the hospital renders it desirable that it should be removed from the City as far as necessary, and to have placed it on the Hospital Reserve in King street would have been as imprudent as the choice of the present site is judicious. We trust, now that the Corporation appear to be on the right track, so far as sanitary regulations are concerned, they will continue to perfect the means of cleansing and purifying the City. One of the greatest difficulties they have to contend with is dealing with the unimproved property of absentees. While they themselves are away their estates are daily improving in value without their laying out a cent upon them, and all sorts of nuisances accumulate upm them poisoning tbe air and endangering the lives of their neighbors under the protection of law. An amendment of the law to enable the Corporation to deal with such cases is imperatively required. Of thorough drainage we have much to say at some future time.