BOROUGH SANITARY DEPOT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 462, 4 May 1912, Page 5

BOROUGH SANITARY DEPOT.

SITTING OF COMMISSION. The steps taken by the Te Kuiti Borough Council for acquiring a block of land of about 10 acres near Te Kumi for a sanitary depot produced strong objections from the native owners and the inhabitants of the Te Kumi settlement, and a commission was appointed by the Government to hear the objections. Mr <V. S. Short, Assistant Under-Secretary to the Public Works Department, was appointed commissioner, and the sitting was opened at the Borough Council Chambers on Wednesday.

Mr Hine appeared for the Borough Council, and Mr Howarth for the objectors, while Dr Makgill. Public Health Officer for the district, appeared on behalf of his department.

Mr Howarth outlined the objections which were chiefly: The proximity of the proposed depot to the native kainga, the lime works, dairy factory, and county council's quarry ; the danger of pollution to the river which, was used by the natives as a water supply, and the danger of general nuisance to the community as the trend of settlement was in the direction of the proposed depot. The objectors suggested the taking of an area for the purpose mentioned in the Waiteti Valley or some other suitable place. In support of his objections Mr Howarth called Messrs W. 11. Adams, county engineer, A. Julian, J. Tamrnadge, and a number of native witnesses, who gave evidence as to the liability of the land to flood. Dr Pomare gave evidence in support of the objections, and said he did not, consider the proposed site suitable for the purpose for which it was intended. He advocated the site at Waiteti, which he had inspected. His chief objections were proximity to the population and to the river. On behalf of the Health Department, Dr Makgill gave evidence, and strongly advocated the taking of the proposed site. He considered it the most suitable of all that had been mentioned, and stated he was thoroughly saisfied there win not the slightest possible danger to be feared. Nuisance could only arise in the event of gross carelessness and the pollution of the river was hardly prubable. In any case the river already passed through the centre of the town, and was not a safe water supply. He had inspected the surroundings of the town thoroughly, and considered the proposed area the most suitalbe site available.

Inspector Bennett, of the Health Department, gave evidence on similar lines and strongly advocated the granting of the site.

Medical evidence as to the suitability of the site was also given by Drs Zobel and Fullerton, of Te Kuiti.

Evidence on various points in support of taking the site was given by Messrs J. Boddie, Major Lusk, F. Sims, R. M. Somerville and L. G. P. Spencer (borough engineer). After counsel had addressed the commission, Mr Short announced that he would report to the Governor as early as possible, and the Governor's decision would be made known in due course.