PORT CHALMERS TOWN COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 4028, 25 January 1876, Page 2

PORT CHALMERS TOWN COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of this body was held last evening, when there were present -the Mayor, Crs. M‘Gregor, Reid, Dodson, Asher, Menelaus, and the Town Clerk. Correspondence was read from James North, requesting permission to make a permanent crossing to his section 143. (Granted subject to approval of Inspector.) The applications of Messrs Dalrymple, Reid, and Leek were g anted. Mr G. Faulkner’s offer to lea e block 4, oawyer s Bay, was deferred until he'had been made acquainted with the nature of the clauses contained in the leases of rural sec.l M'Dermid wrote informing the Council that he intended to • laim the sum of LIO.OOO as compensation for his water-rights at Sawyer’s Bay. (Letter received.)—Mr -Laward Shields wrote offering to lease a piece of ground opposite Dyson’s wharf. (Referred to the Reserves Committee.)—Mr J. Elmer wrote complaining that the Corporation had closed the roads leading to his property at Sawyer’s Bay. (Referred to the Water Committee.)— ihe Registrar-General s application for yearly statistics was ordered to be complied with Messrs Joyce and Adams, solicitors to the Corporation, wrote informing the Council that their account would be about Ll«o, and requesting a payment of L7O. (Referred to the hmance Committee.)-The Inspector of Works sent inhis usual report, which was adopted. Dr Drysdale, Medical Oihcer of the Local Board of Health, forwarded the following report °

Port Chalmers, January 22,1876. Xo the Chairman and Members of the Local Board of Health. Gentlemen,—ln compliance with the request contamed in your letter to me, of date January 19,1 aaye the honor to submit for your consideration tho tollowui< report on tho sanitary condition of the town:—

The lown of Port Chalmers is at present, so far as lam aware, free from disease of an infectious nature, and its sanitary condition may, speaking generally, be described as good. I think it proper to mention, however, that the favorable state of iJimgs is due, in my opinion, not so much to any superior vigilance on the part of the authorities Tor any extraordinary regard for cleanliness on the part ot the inhabitants, as to the position and natural features qf the town, which, together with the prevailing high winds and usually plentiful supply of water in the favor of rain, combine to form a natural propagation. lam borne out in this opinion by the fact that the low-lying parts of the town, which are also the most thickly populated, ore not by any n eans in the like satisfactory condition. Several nuisances exist there, admirably adapted, in my opinion, to generate or propagate infectious disease ihe most prominent ot these I will now proceed to enumerate:— r

• I '.^' he back Premises embraced by the angle Joinmg the corner of George and Grey streets comprise a nuisance of a disgusting description, for the removal of which, however, the Inspector informs me steps have already been taken. 2. The section between Mrs Mbit's shop and the railway crossing at Mussel Bay, besides containing a iarge quantity of stagnant and putrid liqiddTaje also, I find, extensively utilised by the residents in the vicinity as a manure depot. 3. A noisome open drain runs down into George street from the houses owned by Mr Woolsey B 4 An open drain, which contains a quantity of stagnant water and slops, and which is so oonatructed that the contenia cannot possibly run off without transgressing the law of gravitation (this I may remark, in passing, seems to be a common featnreof Port Chalmers drains) is situated at the back of the cottages between the Royal Hotel and the new Grammar School.

5. A dram containing similar matter and similarly constructed is situated in the right-of-way between Mr Oliver s premises and the George Hbtel. 6 Perhaps one of the worst nuisances in the town exists in the gully which lies between the Mecamc s Institute on the one side and the premises occupied by Messrs Robertson, Lee, and tnglis on the other. In addition to one or two ditches contaming stagnant and filthy matter (I cannot call it liquid) the ground in the neighborhood is bestrewed with various descriptions of animal an d ve . geiable refuse, not to mention old boots, hats and other cast-off articles ot wearing apparel ’ 7. The bock premises in Mount street] extending bmldmgs at the rear of the CommerciS Hotel to the oack of the Post Office, contain se veral nuisaucef in the shape of foul drains dirtv closets, &c. ’ J

Bth. The gully between Currie and Mary streets, to which I had formerly the honor to call the attenl non of the Board, is again in statu quo. A large deposit of filthy matter, varying from two to four feet in depth and of like breadth, occupies the bottom of the gully throughout its length. There are two wells one open, the other covered with a wooden hd situated in the bottom of the gully For what purpose their contents are used by the raridents, or whether they are used at all I cannot say but I am of opinion that in the interests of the public health they ought to be filled up. 9th. The position and condition of the public privy adjoining the dockyard gate is, I tiiinl any . thing but creditable to the authorities. 10. The same remarks apply, but with greater force, to the urinal, &c„ at the railway station I am not aware whether this last matter comes under the jurisdiction of the board, but mention it os being undoubta'.ly a public nuisance. These gen tlemen, are some of the more prominent nuisances which have come under my notice, and winch have been probable sources of disease. I deem it my duty to bring them underyours. As you do not ask me to make any suggestions or recommendations with a new of the improvement of the sanitary condition of the town, but simply to furnish you with a report of the same. I will content myself at present by saying generally that in my opinion the on.y efficient remedies for the evils I have drawn your attention to are an abundant water supply and a system of covered drains and culverts, constructed in accordance at least with the law of gravitation.—l am, &c., John Dkybdiuj, M.D., Glasgow. 1 r. Asher moved, andCr. Dodson sec nded, “ Tha the Medical Officer's report be submitted to the Central board of Health,” which was carried. Sundry accounts were passed for payment, including the a m of 10s for the local bellman announcing Mr Macandrew’s iivention to address he electors. Mr dward C mpbell’s claim for L 9 18a fo. extra surveying was remitted to Water * o. inittee. The Inspector of W rks was directed to take imrnediate steps fo* the forma;ion of a drain, Ac., from the Harbo Offices, to lead into that facing the new Port Chains « Hotel. Cr. Asher gave notice of motion that the north s de of Beach street should be kerbed and channelled. The Mayor, before closing the meeting, called the attent on of the Baths Comm ttee to he fact tha ■ no progress had been reported by them. The meeting was then adjourned.