The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1924. SANITATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1924. SANITATION.

Tiik Medical Health Officer (Dr. Teliord) is well-known here, or his letter read at the Council meeting on Friday night might have ruffled the members more than it did. The doctor can he—is in fact—brusque. His letter was what might ho called, straight from the shoulder. It was of the he-wlio-illust-be-obeyed order. However, the Council was not going to take the dictatorial attitude calmly. The Council is as much in earnest as the doctor, with this difference, that the Councillors have to provide the funds for the work, while the doctor has but to wave hi.s wand of authority and expect things to happen ! There was wisdom in the action of the Council determining to approach the .Minister of Health. Xo doubt that- gentleman will be more amenable than the doctor with the hit in his teeth. The Council necessarily must he zealous of tin. public health, for the prevention of an epidemic can easily he more cheaply performed than the allaying of an outbreak once it occurs. But the Council is governed by the money cost, and .so has sought to move warily. At the same time it must bo careful of the reputation of the town, and not allow any extravagant statements by the Government servant to injure the place. On that account it was wise to dciido to approach the Minister to consult in a reasonable way about the business which must sooner or later lie faced. That sanitation is necessary is admitted. Reports on the subject have been obtained previously. There are however, engineering difficulties which will add to the cost of establishing a scheme, and also the expense of maintaining it. It is a case for the best export advice so that the most satisfactory and economical .scheme might lie alighted upon. For that reason the Council wishes to talk over the problem with the Hon. Minister. Assuming the Department to he as much in earnest about the matter as the impetuous medical officer, it is reasonable to expect that the Department should be in a position to assist the local bedv to arrive at some proposal which will he of reasonable accomplishment. The Mayor on Friday night suggested n drainage area being created for the most populous part of the town—which is also the most low-lving—and therefore the more difficult to operate successfully. The cost will lie the greater over the area suggested between FitzherberfSt. and the ocean beach, and it would he as well to differentiate in regard to the matter. There is another phase of the matter, too, in regard to which the Minister might he consulted, and that is that within the area proposed there is much Government property which v.-i'l be served in a sanitary way. and it is a question how far assistance can bj given financially. If tho Minister were bore and saw tbe position, he could decide on the merits of the case, and a round tho table conference would settle many points which now bristle because of the manner of the Minister’s deputy in the person of the medical officer. Tt is too soon to weigh the possibilities of the proposal being

carried, because neither its scoj'C nor cost, have been determined. All will agree as to the need for sanitary conveniences if the cost is within the means of the town, and the jilaee is not over-burdened by special taxation. If the scheme is likely to go to that extreme, no doubt the ratepayers will turn it down promjuly, and that is what the Council as a whole seems to fear. The desire of members is to have a scheme formulated upon which they can go to the ratepayers and advise its acceptance. If, then, the .Minister and his Department can succeed in th;it direction there is no occasion for fiilminations from the medical officer— the Council and the town will do its duty with due regard to their own wo 1 fine.