Correspondence.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 329, 2 June 1894, Page 2

Correspondence.

DRAINAGE. TO THE EDITOR «»P THE STAR.. StR, — Some of your last correspondents upon the above subject laid great stress upon preventing the surface water from being mixed with the sewage : and also from any portion of sewage intermingling with the Makino stream. Now, in the first place, it can be proved that stagnant surface water alone (being the natural resort of insoct life) will produce disease or act as a medium in spreading infectious diseases when they visit localities, and not only when water stagnates in pools or holes, but also when it remains stagnant for a length of time iv the soil for want of drainage. Those facts are, no doubt, chiefly the causen of low fever, typhoid, rheumatism, and rheumatic fever, and I think diphtheria may be added to fie lifct, being often prevalent in new countries. But, in the second place, it is impossible in thickly populated parti to prevent sewage getting mixed with surface water from land washed by h9avy rama where stock have been running, drainage from stables, cowbails, pigstyes, etc., but the quicker this drainage is conducted to, and swept away by the 'arger s r anas or rivers the better, and this is what periodical floods do thoroughly when assisted by local drainage. I would now point out that the distance apart of the streets through Feilding, namely ten chains, is too great for the purpose of disposing of all surface water, as low parts containing a subsoil which I retains water may occur between those streets which may render it impossible to obtain a fall so as to dispose of it. by means of the water tables on either side. Private property owners do not always understand the beneficial effects or necessity of drainage, and so buildings and other obstructions are erected in the way, no provision being made for the purpose, and this is, perhaps, the chief cause 6f unhealthiness of towns. The drain mentioned in my last letter would benefit all land j owners and tenants, without excep tion, on that side of Manchester street between the section named and Grey street, and I believe residents on the Warwick street side of the block would also be benefited thereby. As for this drainage being kept apart from the Makino stream, it is impossible to prevent surface flood water from finding its way" to a lower level, but I may have something to say about the Makino stream channel in a future letter, as the encroachment of that stream is becoming a serious matter to resident ratepayers. I am, etc.} F. J. Knox. Feilding, May 31st, 1894.