Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1900. Nuisances.

Manawatu Herald, 5 April 1900, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1900. Nuisances.

The health of a town is of grave moment to every dweller therein, and thus all are deeply interested in the cleanliness of their own premises as well as those of others. The sense of smell is given to all and every inhabitant is able from his own knowledge to point out nuisances, but it has been found in practice that no one likes to meddle with his neighbours concerns, unless forced to almost in self-defence, and therefore, where it is necessary for the health of all, that cleanliness in the surroundings of a dwelling should be observed, it has been found more desirable to appoint some official whose duty it is to ferret out these evils and report them to his employers. What is in fact everybody's proper business becomes no one's business except an Inspector of Nuisances which office frequently* is a sinecure. Owing to the fear of a visitation of the plague the Colonial Secretary requested the Mayor to take extra precautions to attend to the health of the town, and this duty was placed upon the proper officer of the Council. It can be readily understood that without a detailed and scheduled report many nuisances may be overlooked and we have before now pressed this point upon the attention of the Council. To emphasize our suggestion we find the Inspector in his report to the Council on Monday night alludes to one nuisance in the hea^t of the town "which had previously escaped " his notice. A proper house to house visitation and report would have prevented such a dangerous oversight. We are sure that no good will arise from making what may be termed party attacks on property here and there, leaving other nuisances overlooked. Any one nuisance neglected is just as likely to create an epidemic as any of those abated. The most important part to be played by Tihe Council and the Inspector is not that of ordering certain things to be done, only, but in endeavouring by advice and persuasion to get householders to do all other things which would sweeten their surroundings. This is not to be secured by bounce or domineering. The report presented by the Inspector of Nuisances to thCouncil is a most unsatisfactory document, and is not of the slightest value to the Council as to what is the position of the Borough as to cleanliness. We may be charged with criticising a report which we do not publish, but we much regret we cannot do so unless the Mayor or the Inspector of Nuisances will indemnify O) against any action for libel. The report should be read by ratepayers as it better illustrates the style which we object to than anything we can say.