OTAKI’S CLEAN-UP WEEK

Otaki Mail, 13 February 1922, Page 3

OTAKI’S CLEAN-UP WEEK

♦ INSPECTOR’S REPORT.; Mr A. E. Wellington, sanitary, inspector, reports as follows: — "I inspected, in all, the back premises of 29S bouses, shops, and lands adjoining. I did not enter any dwellings, but where I thought necessary I entered sheds and wash-houses. I wish to state that I found, with the exception of Id places, that all the inhabitants of the Borough had made some effort to clean up. This I consider, very satisfactory. It was extremely •■■ratifying to find that, instead of abuse ■ as'l expected, I found nothing but courtesy and attention, and a desire to kelp. Only on one occasion was I re- ■ quested to produce my written authon- • ty I have 32 return visits to make,_ • having given all occupiers from seven to ten days to clear up any refuse. r Starting from the railway end of the Mi'll Road on January 30th, I visited every house and shop in the Borough, taking in all -10 hours to complete the circuit. Bully 00 per cent, of the houses and shops have no drainage whatever. I would suggest that some , of temporary drainage laws be . drawn up and enforced, until such tunc } as the Borough scheme can bo broug ; into operation. In places where- there- t is no likelihood of road drains being , laid for years to come, the scheme at t present being worked by other small boroughs might be used here to great advantage, viz., the subsidising by the Council of the owners of premises up to a certain amount to put in soptic tanks, constructed according to borough, bvl-vs As there are several householders considering the installation of these tanks, 1 would suggest that some standard be adopted'at an early dale by the Council so as to allow these pcoplo to proceed with this v.ery necessary 1 i Another suggestion improvement. Anotuer g that I wish to make, and it _ ecssarv urge, and that is the provision „f some kind by the Council to gather the rubbish every week during summci, and fortuiglitly during winter. On two occasions on mv journey round I was asked the best way of disposing of the rubbish that was again accumulating. Manv sections, especially those in the town area, are too small to allow oi the digging of pits, which, m any case, arc a harbor and feeding place for rats, and a hot-bed of disease. The only, and to myself, the best alternative is ( tho provision by the Oounoil of a rubbl.k cart to call and collect rubbish on a certain day of each week. This f would effectually *o away with all rubbish pits and the bad odours therefrom, and enable tho sanitary inspector to ‘ enforce his demands for cleanliness, and allow no excuse for the accumulalion of rubbish. Gentlemen, this matter is urgent, and I sincerely hope that * this matter will be given your immediate attention. At present my hands are tied because I can offer no alternativo to the disease breeding, and rat harboring rubbish pits. Open drains have been adopted by many house-hold-ers, but, as you are no doubt aware, they are both dangerous-and insanitary. It is quito an easy matter for the children to slip into these uncovered drains and break a leg or an arm, or failing that, to scratch the skin and cause blood poisoning. Holels J. found to be in a fair condition generally, hut a much more strict supervision is neces- g eauy, as there is a large section of the public, who use the conveniences attached to these places, not one of which did I find disenfeeted during the hot t weather. Schools and grounds were ex- t cellent, and I feel sure that all possi- >. bio is being done to preserve the t health ,of . the. little ones entrusted t to the care of the State for a. few i• hours each day. Chinamen’s shacks ( and surroundings were not at all satis- , factory. iLt was quite apparent that j my visit was the first experienced by t these men. I did not find any trouble , in getting the men to bury all rubbish | and to have a general cloan up, but , there is one menace remaining, and I < wish to draw your attention to it. The j average shack contains inside the house ( a washing board where all the dishes, • etc,, are wMhed. Under the board a hole is out in the side of the house and i sloping b*ards are placed conveying to the hjig. All waste water is thrown into tnis contrivance which protrudes just far enough on tho outside to throw the water clear of tha house. After that it can wander brhere it will. In «es open drains have been cut neatest depression in tho where the water is allowed to soak away. This is the primary cause of the. very unpleasant odours emanating from these shacks, and I am surprised at the small amount of disease that hms resulted therefrom. Disinfectants appear to be unknown, and the Chow looks with a very suspicious eye on anything new. As the Borough drainage will not touch 80 per cent, of these shacks, tne only alternative is septic tanks. I am not clear on the point as to whether these people can be compelled to put in septic tanks, or whether just soak-holes would do. These men are good, quiet, inoffensive workers, but. I see no reason why they should ho exempt from sanitary laws, night open soak holes were encountered, all of which had been covered at tome time, but were now free to dispense Slthy odours and disease. "Would it bp in my province to order these holes to be covered as something should be done at Once, owing to the danger attached to open holes. The septic tanks of both the hospital and sanatorium discharge into the creek running parallel to the Mill Road. The smell from these during the hot W*a» ther is very strong, and I think a thorOnqh ovorhaui of tha&a tanka »• ceaj=ary. and would suggest that the necessary measures be taken. In my house to. house report attached,' you will note that I have adopted the school method of reporting a‘s the simplest. I took into consideration first drainage, secondly rubbish, then weeds, and general appearance. The all-iouad

est street was Kirk Street. Three places I considered excellent, but gentlemen, I do not wish you to take this as absolutely correct,' because the giving of marks was only a secondary consideration, tho first of course being the search for rubbish. A house-hold-er resident in Dunstan Street requested that I draw to your notice tho condition of the road drains. During every heavy fall of rain-the drains overflowed into his back premises. This he claimed, was caused through the drains being allowed to become choked with weeds. In conclusion, gentlemen, I would ask that my suggestions be given your respected consideration, and that definite instructions be given me re the standard septic tank and drains generally. This will enable me to answer questions when accosted by householders during the tenure of my position as temporary Sanitary Inspector. —I am, etc., ALBERT E. WALLINGTON.