Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1921. THE HEALTH OF THE BOROUGH

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2226, 13 January 1921, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1921. THE HEALTH OF THE BOROUGH

THE local Chamber of Commerce is to be commended for its action in urging upon the local governing authority the necessity for the removal .of garbage which may harbour disease germs in hack yards and menace the health of the community. A clean-up week was suggested throughout the borough some time since, but nothing came of the suggestion. Then the Chamber moved that the Council provide facilities for periodical removal of rubbish. The Council fell in with the suggestion, and made provision for periodical rubbish removals. The residents, however, were apathetic, and did not, 'take advantage of the facilities afforded. The Council decided to provide a weekly removal of rubbish within the brick area, and published elaborate details of the service. Again there was no response on the part of residents, and it now looks as if this service will he abandoned. The Council and Chamber of Commerce have done their part to arouse interest in a cheap scheme'of rubbish removal, but the optional method is useless. Something more drastic is required, and that something will soon materialise in the appointment of a health officer with very wide powers under llie'amended Municipal Corporations Act. .Periodical visitations will be made of all residential properties, and householders who persist in allowing filth and germ-breeding beds to exist on their premises will be peremtorily dealt with —and in some instances not before it is time. Water and drainage will do much to improve the sanitary and health conditions .obtaining in the borough, but this very desirable state of affairs will not remove back yard accumulations of tilth, such as old rags, decaying vegetation, and animal matter, ideal breeding beds for deadly germs ultimately carried per medium of the common house lly on to the food we eat. An expert inspector can do a great deal of educational work when making periodical visits of inspection. There is much need for a general clean-up of backyards throughout the borough which menace the health of the community, and we hope these will be given closer attention in the near future by an experienced officer.