PUBLIC MEETING AT TE KUITI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 55, 8 November 1907, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT TE KUITI.

Address by Br Purdy.

The meeting, convened by Councillor Ormsby for Friday evening last, for the purpose of giving the District Health Officer (Dr Purdy) an opportunity of addressing the public, was largely attended, between fifty and sixty persons being present. Councillor Ormsby took the chair and, in introducing Dr Purdy, mentioned the fact that the doctor was present for the purpose of instructing them in matters concerning the sanitary arrangements of the township. He asked that the doctor be given a patient hearing, and hoped that some good would result from his advice.

Dr Purdy said it was not necessary for him to say what was wanted in the way of sanitation. They were aware that nothing had been done in the past, and therefore the future would have to be arranged for. He mentioned that the township was far better in some respects than many other places he had visited, but that did not make it any the less important that ample provision must be made in Te Kuiti. He could not close his eyes to the fact that if the present condition was allowed to go on something serious would happen. He had made a house-to-house inspection of the township, and was able, he was pleased to say, to report that he had not found it necessary to to serve a single notice on any householder ; at Otorohanga he had to do so. The doctor then read a report, which he had made on the vacant section (the proposed post-office site) in the main street, and said that it was in such a disgraceful state that it necessitated him making immediate application to the President of the Maori Land Council for the removal of such rubbish. [The section has since been cleared. Ed.]. He strongly advised the residents not to sink wells in the township, as the pumice soil was certain to be contaminated with sewage. The first and foremost step to take was the institution of a night soil service, which would mean the putting in of the galvanized iron pan and the removal of same weekly. He recognised the absence of local authorities but called on the people to urge the Waitomo County Council to take steps at once. He understood that they would have difficulties to contend with, but slated that if that body did not proceed at once, the Government would have to institute a system and charge the householders, which would be more than if the local body did the work. " I am not an alarmist," said the doctor, " nor do I wish to frighten the people, but one thing is certain that because Te Kuiti has been lucky in the past, it is no criterion that it is going to be so in the future." He then asked those present to pass a resolution so as to strengthen his hand. Taumarunui had taken thematter up, and were going in for a service. It laid with the residents themselves, and if they could not do anything, the Department must help them. Mr Boddie : Is the Government not the Local Board of Health, and therefore the onty Board in existence ? Dr Purdy : It would mean striking a rate. First the names of householders would have to be taker}, and then a notice would t}e Issued to the effect that such a service had been instituted.

Mr Ormsby, sen.: Perhaps the Council have no funds for such a work.

Dr Purdy They will have to provide funds or else the Government must do the workMr Boddie; The Council have been advised that they have no authority to deal with the township. Dr Purdy • All populations of §OO people, in the absence of other local bodies, have now to be controlled by the existing Council. Mr Hine: The Council have no jurisdiction in the township. Dr Purdy : My advice would be to form a town board.

Councillor Orsmby: The Council had full control, but on account of the ratepayers not expressing a wish to rate themselves nothing much had been done. Up to the present time a progressive policy had not been asked for by the ratepayers. The Council would now have to do the work whether the inhabitants wished it or not. He was certain the Council would move in the matter at their next meeting.

Mr Phillips : If the Health Department do not do the work he was certain the Council would not move in the matter.

Mr Sims then moved; " tl}e Waitomo County Council be urged to institute a night-soil service in the township." This was seconded by Mr Seymour and carried unanimously. Mr Bodflie said he was pleased to support the motion and had not the least doubt that the Council would take the matter up. County Councils had far more power than other local bodies ; the powers of a town board being especially limited. He expressed his gratification at Dr Purdy coming amongst them for the purpose of instructing the residents in the sanitation of the town.

Dr Purdy said that he would send an inspector to Te Kuiti next week and would be instructed to traverse the same ground which he had gone over. If is was found that the improvements had not effected, notices would be immediately served on those householdei's.

Mr Phillips : The Council does not meet again for three weeks and then the matter would in all probability be adjourned for another month. He was aware that Cr Qrsmby' woulti give his best efforts, but lie was only one of the Council, and considered it far more satisfactory if the Government took the matter in hand at once, Mr Boddie: The Council should certainly be given an opportunity of carrying out the work. Dr Purdy said he would call upon the Council to immediately institute, the service.

Mr Orsmby, sen.: Who would pay if the Government took the work in hand ?

Dr Purdy: The householders.! The only only difference there would be is that it would cost the residents more

if the Government controlled the service.

On the motion of Mr Bcddie, seconded by Mr Lorigan, a hearty vote of tlr/.nks was passed to Dr Purdy.

Dr Purdj", in returning thanks, said he hoped that on his next visit to Te Kuiti he would see vast improvements in regard to the sanitary state of the township and if things progressed as he hoped they would, he wished to have the pleasure of turning on the water suppty at some date not far distant.