Feildig Borough Council.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 60, 8 September 1893, Page 2

Feildig Borough Council.

A special meeting of the above, was held yesterday evening, to consider the sanitary condition of the Borough. Present. — The Mayor, Councillors Gould, Thompson, Fowles, Carthew, Haybittle, Lethbridge, Sandilands, and Chamberlain. Doctors Johnston and Sorley were present at the invitation of the Mayor, in order to give the Council the benefit of their opinions as to the question for consideration. Dr Johnston was the first speaker to address the Council. He said that several cases of a contagious nature had recently arisen in the Borough. The mortality in cases of diphtheria was often as high as 60 and eyen 80 per cent. Presuming that a Hospital Ward or building were erected, each case should be under the control of its own medical man. He did not believe that the causes of diphtheria had yet been ascertained definitely. Great risks arose by poultry, cats, dogs, etc. being kept in close proximity to private dwellings, and in many instances in Feilding the surrounding circumstances were unfavorable to good health. He was inclined to treat this disease as constitutional as well as of a local character. Landlords should be compelled to supply better water facilities to their tenants. The question of disinfecting in Feilding was a very serious one, owing to the clayey nature of the soil. Landlords should be compelled to drain into a main sewer, and then the risks would be considerably minimised. Tents were frequently supplied in England for the isolation of eases, whether in the case of diphtheria or typhoid fever. It would be far better to sink pipes in order to obtain a supply of water, than by the present sy3tem of wells. The concluding remarks of the speaker were in favour of a separate building for the purpose of isolating any cases of on infectious nature. Dr. Sorley considered a cottage hospital was an impracticable idea, owing to the objections likely to be raised by parents who would wish to see their children, and then the advantage of isolation at once became a dead letter. Where cases arose it was absolutely necessary to take stringent measures for disinfection. He was strongly against accidents being sent to Hospitals of the kind mentioned. Any insanitary condition naturally increased the risk of the infection. The medical gentlemen then withdrew, after the Mayor had expressed the thanks of the Counoil for their kindness in attending the meeting. Dr Monckton wrote regretting he would be unable to attend owing to a very severe cold. He presumed that the Council wished to consult the local medical men as to what diseases there were in the Borough and upon the best means to prevent infection. As regarded himself, apart from a mild epidemic of measles, he had been sent for to seven cases said to be suffering from diphtheria, and in each instance, found the patients said to be suffering from diphtheria, were suffering from quinsy, measles, sore throat or ulcerations of the throat or tonsils, due to, or connected with, worms in the intestines. This last often appears as an epidemic and assumes a very malignant form. To check any infection an outlet should be furnished for any stagnant water, and cess material whether in boxes, holes, or other receptacles, sprinkled with a solution of iron, which has a great effect in deodorising as welL as disinfecting. He was not theorising in giving the above advice, as during the cholera epidemic in 1866, Bristol was saved through similar precautions, although in that case the sewers had deposits of green vitriol at intervals, which caught and rendered harmless all disease germs in their passage. Most of the other best known disinfectants are either poisonous, too costly, or otherwise objectionable. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council was then proceeded with. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The following correspondence was receired : — From Messrs J. Gould and eight other ratepayers in Eyre and Denbigh, streets, requesting the Council to construct a drain from the railway crossing to Denbigh street. From the Treasury, forwarding LBOO amount of loan for the Council's share of the cost of constructing the Aorangi bridge. From Public Works Department, forwarding certain drawings of road bridge spans. From Mrs Sandilands, re faulty construction of a culvert in Pharazvn street. From T. Smith, stating that the report that he had buried a horse in his section No 353 was untrue, and totally unfounded. He lost a horse last year, but it was buried in Mr Hoots' paddock on the Makino road, — The letter was laid on the table. From Mr Levin, of Wellington, statin" that the Colonists' Land Corporation had favorabiy considered the Council's appli» cation for a sight for municipal offices, to be erected on the undermentioned conditions : — The site to be conceded on condition that no title should be given until the building— the general plan and elevation of which should be approved by the New Zealand Directors ofithe Corporation —has been erected, and that the land and buildings are not to be used for any other than municipal purposes; and further that the Board should be informed, whether the building is to be of brick, wood, or iron, also the amount of money to be expended, and how it is to be raised. From Mr Prior, re Kecreation Reserve-, and stating that Messrs Bell, Gully and Izard suggest a difficulty in obtaining; registration of transfer containing trusts, and propose that the Corporation should grant the Council a lease of the land for 999 years at a peppercorn rent, and that the trust could then be set out in the lease. Mr Prior replied to Mr Bel], " that he was aware the authorities would not register a transfer containing trusts, but that they would allow a certified copy of a " Declaration of Trust" to be lodged at the Land Transfer Office," The report of the Inspector of Nuisances drew attention to the unsatisfactory condition of several dwelling houses and stables in the Borough. The Council decided to go fully into this report at its next special sittin» The Public Works Committee report - —(1) That they have inspected the site of the proposed stream diversion above Warwick street, and recommend that a groin be constructed about four chains below Manchester street bridge, and the stream diverted from thence to Warwick street bridge, at a cost of from £12 to £15 (2) With reference to Messrs Manson's request re drains, the committee weem..

mend that the ditch in Warwick streel opposite their property be filled in and a water-table formed. (3) re Mrs Light's application for approach to her house in Denbigh Square, the committee recommend that a narrow footway be made either from Kimbolton road or tioua Denbigh street. The Council decided to consider the question of appointing a permanent Inspector of Nuisances, at the special meet' ing next week. Resolved, That the reports of the Finance and I'ublic Works Committees be adopted, but before the work at Warwick street bridge be commenced, the consent of property owners be obtained Resolved, That a cheque for £439 17s 9d be sent to the Manchester Road Board, being balance due for erecting the Aorangi bridge. Resolved, That the requests of property owners in Stafford street be agreed to, and that tenders be called for forming the street. Resolved, That the request from property owners in Eyre street be referred to the Public Works Committee to report upon. Resolved, That six loads of gravel be placed at the approach to the Euglish Sunday School. Resolved, That Cr. Morey be granted leave for this meeting. Resolved, That F. T. Foster be appointed assistant ranger, and the advertisement to be at Mr Blackmore's expense. Resolved, That the request of Mrs Sandilands re alteration of culvert in Pharazyn street, also that of Mr Clapham re Sherwill street, and also the request of G. Fidler, re metalling 5 chains of Sherwill street, be referred to the Public Works Committee. Resolved. That the thanks of this Council be accorded Drs. Johnson and Sorley for attending this meeting, and to Dr. Monckton for his letter. Resolved, That complaints having been made as to the manner in which Mr Fidler carries out his duties as sexton and nightman. " The Town Clerk write informing him that unless he performs his duties satisfactorily, the Council will take the necessary steps to determine his contracts " Resolved, That a special meeting of the Council be held on Thursday the 14th instant, to consider the proposed byelaws. Resolved, That the tender for South street bridge being informal, fresh tenders be called, to be in by next meeting of the Council. NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr. Gould gave notice that he would move at the next meeting of the Council, That on and after the Ist day of October next, the provisions for removing nightsoil be included within the following boundaries : — West street, Camden street continued to Derby street, thence to the line of Gladstone street, all dwellings on each side of the above streets to be included. Accounts amounting to i.85 were passed for payment, and the Council adjourned. ___________ mmm __