AWAMUTU CREEK

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 39, 6 March 1930, Page 3

AWAMUTU CREEK

BREEDING GROUND FOR

MOSQUITOES

RIVER BOARD'S ATTITUDE

In connection with the flooding of the Awamutu Creek, the following letter sent by the Secretary of the Moera Community Sports and Ratepayers League (Mr J. E. Napier), to the Health Department. •

"The above League have received a petition from -residents of Awamutu Street, Moera, asking,that you be notified as to the unhealthy state of the state of the Awamutu Greek that runs through the back of 'some of. the sections. At present this part is' a breeding ground for mosquitoes and crude sewerage is sometimes, deposited there on the the bank; when the sun shines on this bog the stench- is very bad and the condi18th February and also the following reply:— ■ , '. V

Mr W. F. Findlay, Medical Officer of Health, forwarded the above letter to the Hutt JJiver Board at its meeting on Tuesday and also the following reply:—^ lJ I have visited this locality and noted the general conditions. I also note that your Board has received a deputation with reference -td the position. I am not, of course, in a position to appreciate all the engineering difficulties, but it would appear that, the clearance of weeds etc., from th<* creek throughout its entire course would be beneficial. There is always likely to be trouble with mosquitoes until such time as the creek is prevented from backing .up»• in the swampy areas adjacent to its banks,

where possibly the application of kerosene would be beneficial.

Mr Chapman sai& he had visited the

•locality,'but noticed no offensiye .'smell, although he would acknowledge that the drains and creekd teemed with mosquitos. He moved tbat all stagnant areas be sprayed with kerosene. The motion was not seconded.

The Engineer was of the. opinion that the matter did not come under the Bpardi's jurisdiction.

Mr Gostelow moved that the- letter be referred to the Borough Council, • and the-question of spraying be1 made a matter of urgency. .-■'•■

. The chairman seconded' the motion which was carried.

Mi Chapman said that two medical ttpriorities litid stated that the weeds would have to be in large quantities to be offensive which was not the case.

The Engineer stated that the «reek was now .practically clear. He stated that a lot of rubbish was at times thrown into the creek, in one instance a tin bath, being found in the creek partly blocking a culvert.