THE DRAINAGE QUESTION AND SANITARY WORKS.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 78, 29 September 1893, Page 2

THE DRAINAGE QUESTION AND SANITARY WORKS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. Sin, — Having noticed lately a re-open-ing of these most important and vital questions, I beg to offer a few suggestions re sanitary work, as I think that a proper supervision of the township by a competent Inspector would greatly help to lessen much of the evils complained of. The first item I would mention is the carrying off the foul and impure water from every house. We all know that the water must be got rid of, how it is done, in most cases thrown down in some corner of the yard or garden, and from continual practice that part of the back premises is a most foul, and unwholesome spot. If anyone cares to notice (in fact they can see it on their own premises), the ground, the black, sodden appearance with remains of vegetables, etc., prominent in view. How can the place be kept healthy— theso spots are the hot beds for I spreading disease and death— Well, how can it be altered, only by a good system of drainage. The only obstacles are the proper channel for this impure water and the cost of construction of a Bufficientlv large sewer or earthenware pipe drain. House refuse— All householders know that every day there is a quantity of refuse that requires cleaning away from the premises especially at hotels, boarding houses, and large establishments. I do not think Feilding is so far advanced as to have " dust bins," let us hope they never will, for they are the most dangerous things that can be attached to a dwelling. In all large modern cities they are abolished, and a system adopted, which I wish to draw attention to as a very great improvement on the old " dust bin." Every householder is compelled by the local and civil authorities to have on the premises a handy receptacle for household refuse, which may be easily conveyed to the road side. A "dust cart," is sent round the district to collect the refuse, eyery street is visited at least once a week, by this system there is no necessity to have filthy back yards, decorated with old tins, boots, bones, etc. The authorities have a "rubbish shoot," some distance out of the neighbourhood, where the stuff is got rid of. At Wellington there is a 1 large establishment known by the name ' of the " distructor," where all the town refuse is burned up and so distroyed. 1 I would suggest that eyery closet should be fitted up so that ashes, or dry earth could be distributed into the receptacle, 1 this system of earth closets is of great 1 value, especially where the locality like 1 Feilding has a good opportunity of • utilizing the sewerage matter (or night 1 soil). I think if these ideas were put into I practice and faithfully carried out Feild--1 ing would soon be rid of the dreadful 1 diseases which are always found in places * where the sanitary matters are not well looked after. I am, etc., ; H. Tolley. » Birmingham, September 28th, 1893. D