THE SUPPRESSION OF STINKS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4506, 30 August 1875, Page 5

THE SUPPRESSION OF STINKS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sin. —In the hope that I may enlist your able advocacy in the cause of the suppression of stinks*—a cause not unfrequently advocated in your columns— I- take the liberty of acquainting you with some circumstances connected with a pond in the vicinity of one of the Ministerial residences on the Tinakoriroad —that of the Minister of Justice. In November, 1873, the pond referred to being partially dried up, and the slimy mud at the bottom exposed- to the sun, the fostid odour emitted therefrom became so intolerable that about twenty householders residing in its neighborhood petitioned the Local Board of Health (the City Council) requesting it to have the pond drained and filled up, under the powers conferred upon it by the Public Health Act, 1872, section 30. A favorable reply was received, but nothing was done. Again in 1874 the City Council was urged to have the pond filled up before the hot weather came on, but it was only partially drained, and some of the petitioners were informed by Councillors that the delay arose from the necessary survey and plans .not, being completed. ' In November, 1874, the Inspector of Nuisances was instructed by the City Council to place himself in communication with, or at the service of, the city solicitor, in order that notice should be served upon the proprietor of the land upon which the nuisance existed, to have the nuisance abated ; but the nuisance still exists, and in a worse form than ever, for threequarters of the surface of the pond is covered with rank vegetation, and it receives the drainage from a greater number of houses than in 1873. The odour from this pond now—in comparatively, cold weather —is not agreeable, but what it will be—if nothing be done—when the dry season comes I shall leave you to imagine. AVith. a rapidly increasing population, and, as a necessary consequence where there ■ is no adequate or proper provision for drainage, a greater liability to the recurrence amongst us of zymotic diseases, which, I think, are yearly increasing in intensity, it behoves the City Council not to neglect such a plague spot as the one I have pointed out, but to assert its authority and see that its instructions are carried out without further delay.—l am, &c, Ratepayer. 'Pardon the use of an expression more forcible than elegant. -