BOROUGH NIGHT SOIL DEPOT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 387, 16 August 1911, Page 5

BOROUGH NIGHT SOIL DEPOT.

PROTESTS BY RESIDENTS

DEPUTATIONS TO COUNTY AND BOROUGH.

j At t e meeting of the Waitomo | County Council on Monuday night, Mesrss Earl, Kent and Howarth wrote re proposed borough night-soil depot: "We understand that the question of the action of the Te Kuiti Borough Council in proposing to take part of iTe Kumi No. 12 Block situated be - | tween Te Kuiti and Te Kumi road and J the Mangaokewa river as a reerve for depositing night-soil and rubbish came up at a recent meeting of the Council and the matter was allowed to drop on the understanding that the land was already taken. We are making an objection on behalf of the native owners at a meeting of the Borough Council to-night, and intend to dispute the compulsory taking of the land until we have exhausted every legal remedy. We should therefore be very pleased to hear your Council's objection on the matter to receive its co-operation if it should see fit to give it." Mr Howarth, who appeared in support of his letter, said that there was very strong feeling among the natives and residents there about the matter. It was, he contended, highly absurd that the Borough Council should take a piece of land for such purposes along the main road going from Te Kuiti. The proposed depot was only one mile from the Post Office, and about one chain from one native dwelling, and about two chains from another. It was also right opposite the limekilns, where some forty people were dependent upon the water from the river.

The Chairman said that he had already communicated with the Native Minister about the matter, explaining the position and that the part was liable to flood and have the refuse carried down the river.

Cr Hoffman said the matter affected the Council, and he thought that the Council should object. Cr Were said the proposed depot was along the main road which people from his district would have to pass, and he certainly would support the objection.

The Chairman said the Council had spent a considerable sum of money in snagging the river, which they found had been a repository for old boxes, tins logs and rubbish generally. The drainage from the depot must go into the river, and people and stockwere using it. or some considerable distance.

The matter was left over until the next meeting of the Council, when Or Boddie would be present. Councillors assured Mr Howarth that he would have their co-operation in the objection. Mr A. F. Howarth also waited on the Borough Cou n-.il at Monday's night's meeting, and objected on behalf of his clients to the acquisition of the land for such purposes, holding that, a much more suitable site could be found without taking the land in question. He asked to be allowed to call Mr Walsh.

Mr Walsh said there were 24 people getting water directly opposite the proposed site. There were thirty to forty men employed, and families lived around the works within two or three chains of the river, all drawing water from the river. Some might not object,but he had perhaps a keener nose than others, and he certainly objected very strongly. He had lived there close on six years. He had noticed floods on three occasions, which put the water all over the lower ground. It went over the flats and back into the river again. He had not seen the road flooded, but had seen all the land. The floods he referred to might be exception, but ordinary floods backed up the water and spread over the land.

Toheka said his land at Te Kumi had been under cultivation for eight years past The land flooded two or three times a year "right up." Whitinui Hopepa gave similar evidence. Had he known that section was going to be taken he would rather die tran live there. The Mayor agreed the case had been stated frankly freely and briefly. The Council was acting on the best advice available, and while regretting taking any land unjustly, they had certain public duties. The Council had been put to great trouble with this matter, and but for certain people giving them permission to use a site at the other end of the town he did not know what they would have done. This particular piece of ground was selected by the Government Health Officer, Dr Makgill, as the most suitable piece available. If they could have seen there was another piece to get the Council would have been glad to do so. He took the opportunity of seeing Dr Makgill a week ago. and he reiterated his previous opinion, holding that no nuisance will be created if proper steps be taken. As soon as a proper drainage system is installed the amount of night-soil would be reduced to a minimum. If was not proposed to put any night-soil in the old river bed.

Cr Somerville said the Mayor had covered the ground very fully. The Sanitary Committee had had a great i deal of trouble with the matter. They | picked a site at the south end of the town and Dr Makgill condemned if I straight away,and selected this as the | only one enabling the soil to be dej odourised. Dr Makgill was absolutely ! satisfied that was the only place. In ! flood time it would be "back waier" j which came over the ground, and it \ would go straight into the river again.

I After the deputation had withI drawn, the Mayor asked whether the. j Council wished to reconsider the i matter.

i Cr Julian felt that it, was a pity such a low-lying piece of ground had been taken, and if an expert opinion | was taken it would select another j piece.