INSANITARY BUILDINGS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1234, 18 April 1914, Page 3

INSANITARY BUILDINGS.

HEALTH OFFICER’S RE-

PORT,

There are a number of buildings in the borough which, from a health point of view, are unfit for human habitation, and the district health officer, accompanied by the local inspector of nuisances, recently made a tour of inspection. A report from the officer was read at this week’s Council meeting as follows. (We have omitted the names of the occupants and localities) :

A four-roomed, very old structure in street, occupied by the family, is very grimy, and very dirty internally, and if worth a weekly rent is, surely, worth repairs, re-papering and rescrimming. The tenants are untidy in their habits, and the general atmosphere of the place has not an inspiring tendency. The yard area is littered with bric-a-brac and rubbish; the premises are occupied by eleven persons—an evident case of overcrowding—and an outside shed, from which the fowls have recently been ejected, is now being used as sleeping apartments lor members

of the family. is agent. The attention of the Borough Council has been drawn to this quarter on a previous occasion. Another cottage, containing seven 100 ms, in street, occupied by . Thirteen persons are at present in occupation. The tank water is collected from the roof of old iron, and lengths of old cob-webbed galvanised iron is directed to the tank. No attention is paid to the cleansing of the tanks —a predominant sin in Foxton. The drainage is very crude, flowing out at a corner of the building aud lodging there, and the meat safe, strange to relate, is poised over this drain. As this condition is no aid to health it should be remedied. Premises untidy. A four-roomed house in street, owned by , and occupied by , is very old and rotten, and from the condition of the chimney Is unsafe—that is, from fire. I could not gain admission.

A four-roomed cottage in street, agent, occupied by ——, is very clean, but the roof is leaky, and should be repaired.

A five-roomed cottage, street, occupied by . The front room is leaky, the kitchen very old and tottery, and there is evidence of decay. The platform of the front verandah has rotted away. I was, however, informed by the occupier that owner, is willing to carry out repairs ; but I think it well that he should get a reminder, for owners have bad memories when the question of repairs is brought up. A two-storey structure, in the last stages of senile decay, in street, is untenanted, and justly so, for the place is not fit for habitation. The building is rotten throughout, and very musty. In some parts it is hardly safe to stand on the floor, especially in the garret. lam informed that it is intended to re-let this place if possible. Mr is agent. Last week I was called upon to inspect a two-roomed structure off 1 vacated a day or so before by an old lady, situated in insanitary surroundings. A part of the building, once a dwelling room, is now occupied by fowls, which have worked their way under the floor. lam of opinion that this building should be demolished.

The purchase of a piano is a matter which should be thought of at once. The sum involved is not large, but there are so many questions of quality, tone, price and make, which must be considered. There is still another point which should always weigh with a wise and cautious purchaser —buy your piano from a house with a reputation. Don’t run the risk of a bad purchase 1 Side by side two pianos might appear to be of equal value. Yet, one could really be almost perfect, and the other a worthless imitation. Remember, goodness in a piano is not merely in the case, but in the quality of its touch and tone. It is in producing a responsive instrument that sterling value is accorded—one with touch, expression and quality of tone. Should you desire to purchase a’piano call upon the Dresden Piano Company. They keep the largest stocks, and deal only with the most reliable makers. On time payments from 20s monthly. North Island Manager : M. J. Brookes.